The Unending Suspense
Quarterfinals Review
Match 1 (Machanz Vs Milo Taboq)
The first quarter finals saw defending champions Machanz entertain newcomers Milo Taboq. The match started evenly as both teams had chances to score on either side of the court. Machanz then found a breakthrough when Lingesh superb header found the net, after an assist from Machanz goalkepper, Vicky. Milo Taboq then pressured Machanz’s defense into making mistakes which then resulted in two goals for Faroq in the first half. Machanz started the second half with a full frontal attack as Lingesh and Jorden created many chances to level the game. As the game progressed, Lingesh dribbled past the Milo Taboq defense and put in a ferocious shot into the back of the net. With the game at 2-2, the match then went into extra time. When two successive shots from Lingesh and Jorden were blocked by the defense, Danesh found the ball and put a screamer past the Milo Taboq goalkeeper. Lingesh and Jorden then scored, before Amirul pulled back one, to make the final score 5-3.
Match 2 (XLR8 (B) Vs 5558 Ninja Turtle (B))
The quarter final which saw two newcomers battle it out for a sport in the semis. The match was initially a cagey affair till an awkward own goal by Puneeth when Muhammad clearance hit his head and rolled in. Ninja Turtle’s found their fighting spirit as the pilled on the pressure on XLR8 B. they finally pulled one back as Raghu’s neat shot found the bottom corner, pushing the game into extra-time. The on form Bharath found himself one on one with the keeper, resulting in him scoring which ended up as the winning goal. In the dying seconds of the game saw Suvein of Ninja Turtle B getting booked for handling another player as Ninja Turtle B defended vigorously. The game ended 2-1 to Ninja Turtle (B)).
Match 3 (Eagles FC Vs Pappadam (B))
Last year’s semifinalist was pitted against this season’s underdog’s Pappadam B. the match started with a brilliant shot from Mmediong was saved Kevin, Pappadam B’s goalkeeper with his outstretched leg. Eagles kept piling on the pressure as Pappadam B boosting last season’s MVP, Raj and the ever present Nara defended exceptionally. Their defending were rewarded with a breakthrough as Shanta’s shot was cleared sloppily by Eagles, resulting in Vijay taping in from close range under pressure from Sodiq. More chances were created by eagles as they chased the game, shots from Nadun and Mmediong was either blocked by Pappadam’s defenders or landed safely on their keeper’s hand. Pappadam B however slummed to a brilliant inter-play from Eagles players as Fejiro’s shot sneaked in at the outstretched Kevin’s far post . The 3rd match also went to extra time where the routine resumed with Eagles attacking and Pappadam B defending. Besides Raj’s long range shot’s hitting the top left corner of Eagles goalpost the extra time was a show piece of solid defending from Pappadam B. The dead locked had to be broken by penalty shoot-outs. Raj took a brave decision to become the goal keeper for Pappadam besides taking the first penalty which he finished neatly to the bottom corner. It was then Nadun’s turn to bring back Eagles to even terms, when his penalty scrapped through. Shanta then scored as Ope dived early. Samuel’s penalty was saved by Raj who guessed correctly the direction of the shot. Finally Vijay’s penalty secured Pappadam B’s passage into the semis facing the defending champions Machanz
Match 4 (Pappadam (A) Vs XLR 8 (A))
The last quarterfinal saw last sem’s finalist XLR8 A opposed by Pappadam A. the match started with Steve shooting wide of Jeya’s goal post. Both team traded half chances as Pappadam A managed to prevent XLR8 A from playing their signature passing game. The game was interrupted by an injury to XLR8 A‘s goalkeeper Hasnat caused by his own teammate Steve under pressure to clear the ball. Pappadam A striker Seelan created the first real chance of the game as his shot went inches wide of Hasnat’s near post. Seelan then missed another brilliant chance after some good inter-play between his teammates resulted in his back heel shot in front of the goal saved by Hasnat. Taha then fired XLR8 A in front after some silky skills and a neat shot found the bottom right corner of Jeya’s goalpost. Pappadam then tried to level the game however, some good defending and ball keeping from Mazly & Co managed to keep the game away from Pappadam A. By progressing to the semis XLR8 A will now meet 5558 Ninja Turtle B
