BEST XI: Champions dominate Exquisite Soccer Gala XI but the entertaining Smarts FC all over the attack

Hydro FC stars featured in the best XI of the HF WORLD's Exquisite Soccer Gala after their unbeaten run to being crowned Champions on Wednesday afternoon but the entertaining Smarts FC attackers lead the line in a star studded XI.

Best XI of the tournament.

Of course a lot of players impressed but unfortunately for some, their teams suffered early elimination, which limited their chances of competing for places in the XI.

Unsurprisingly, the players whom their teams have made it to the last four of the competition won the head to head battle with their counterparts from other teams to earn a place in the XI.

Goalkeeper : James of Hydro FC

The goalkeeper, from the department of Water Resources Management and Agrometerology was outstanding between the sticks, letting in just two goals in a total of six games, keeping four clean sheets, the joint most in the competition.

James had an outstanding tournament and won the Best Goalkeeper award, with the joint most clean sheets in the competition. Photo Credits: HF WORLD

He also made some crucial save in the final. The crucial save to deny Comrades FC captain from a free-kick in the first half of the final, which turned out to be vital in their title triumph.

He deservedly took the award for the best Goalkeeper in the competition.

Right full back : Akinbobo of Faka United

Akinbobo just about edges Christian of Smarts FC to this position as he played two more games than his compatriot and also having more defensive contributions.

Faka United right back, Akinbobo.

He was a handful for attackers as his side kept a joint most four clean sheets in the competition and deservedly take the spot of a right back in the competition’s XI.

Right Centre Back : Ramos of Hydro FC

Just one of the outstanding players in his position, Ramos was commanding and moreso a great leader in the centre of the defence of Hydro FC. Did well to manage the situation with Lukaku of Comrades FC in the final.

Though he did put the ball into his own net whilst under pressure but that will not take anything away from the outstanding overall performance from the man from College of Environmental Resources and Management, COLERM.

Left Centre Back : Kennedy of Faka United

Unsurprising to see the man from College of Physical Science, COLPHYS in tbr best XI on the back of a strong outing with Faka United in the competition.

Kennedy was at the heart of everything good in the defense of Faka United throughout the competition.

The defense were at the heart of everything good for the Coach Clinton Olamifesi side and Kennedy was as good as anyone preventing attackers in the competition.

Left Full Back : Chuks of Hydro FC

Coach Maxwell took time to select the best legs for the competition and that was evidence as they went all the way to claiming the title. Chuks was fantastic at both ends of the pitch throughout the tourney.

Chuks of Hydro FC before a match. Photo Credits: HF WORLD

Popularly known as a wing forward, he was deployed on the left flank, utilizing his pace to make overlapping runs, putting the opposition defenders under intense pressure.

He did well balancing defense and attack whilst playing multiple positions in the course of the competition but the left full back he has slotted seamlessly in this XI.

Central Defensive Midfielder : Segzy of Comrades FC

The best passer of the competition, Comrades FC benefitted from his brilliance in the middle of the park. He ensured good delivery for Lukaku to have a go at the defenders and that was almost as good as Comrades FC got going forward in the competition.

Segzy will take some beating for the best Midfielder in the tournament because he was the standout performers for his side as they made it to the final, where they controversially lost out to Hydro FC.

Central Midfielder : Jacob of Hydro FC

Renounced for his technicality on the ball, Jacob was joy to watch mostly in the later stages of the competition and his coming to live was to devastating effect for the oppositions.

In the semi final, he assisted their only goal as they down Faka United to progress to the final and then in the final, he scored a last minute penalty to hand his side the trophy.

Jacob of Hydro FC posses for a photo with the trophy.

A commanding leader in the middle of the park had coach Maxwell rest assured of dominating play, even when they came against the tougher opponents in the competition.

Central Midfielder : Taiwo of Faka United

Not the most popular guy in the competition but his simple but classy showing has not gone unnoticed. Taiwo was the steel in the middle of the park for Faka United and helped make things easy for the JayJay (s).

Taiwo of Faka United.

He was ever present and played all the games, winning possession and dictating the tempo from the back. As the side was not blessed with threatening attackers, he ensured little burden on the defence with his energy, and so takes his place in the XI.

Attacking midfielder : YK of Smarts FC

Arguably anyone came close to the brilliance displayed by Akintayo Akinyinka, YK in the competition.

Akintayo Akinyinka, YK, left, the MVP of the tournament alongside his Coach, Tosin.

He contributed six goals, three goals and three assists in six games in the competition but that is not just what the man from College of Plants Science and Crop Production, COLPLANTS, offers.

His dribbling and playmaking was eye-catching and while he was also the most fouled player in the competition, no one created more chances than him, with his side scoring 14 times, at least, six more than the closest side.

Second Striker : Israel Salami of Hydro FC

The top scorer of the competition with six goals, Israel Salami was responsible for all but two of Hydro FC goals in the competition.

Israel Salami celebrates with the trophy after the final win. Photo Credits: HF WORLD

He will be credited for dragging his side all the way from the group stages to the final and even opened the scoring in the final game from the spot, after he was fouled in the area.

Israel Salami, one of the standout performers of the competition is never going to miss out in the XI and here he takes his place.

Striker : Villa Cruz of Smarts FC

Smarts FC scored 14 goals in the competition and Villa Cruz had a hand in eight of them, scoring five times and assisting three others. He agonizingly lost out on the top scorer award on the final day after Israel Salami scored from the spot to move one ahead.

Villa Cruz is the only player to have scored a hat-trick in the competition.

However, Villa Cruz was one of the best players in the competition and could as well be the best striker with the combination of the finishing and playmaking, but a place in the XI is the least he deserves for his showing.

Coach: Sir Maxwell of Hydro FC

Coach Maxwell of Hydro FC edges Coach Tosin of Smarts FC to the award of the Best Coach.

Formation: 4-3-1-2

Author: Kehinde Hassan Afolabi