DAY SIX: Smarts and Comrades FC claim top spots as Ultimate Stars late surge not enough to prevent Exceptional FC a place in last eight

By -
The final day of the group games in the HF WORLD's Exquisite Soccer Gala has come and gone as it was a day of delight for Smarts FC, Comrades FC and Exceptional FC as they all book their places in the final eight on the day, joining ANP FC, who already sealed qualification in their second game.



Quarter finals draw and route to the final. Photo Credits: Moore's Graphics.

The first game of the day was supposed to be played between Exceptional FC and Mariners FC but the later failed to show up after already being eliminated, thus a 3-0 win was awarded to their opponents, the Exceptional FC.

Also, Incredibles FC failed to honour their last group game, resulting in a 3-0 win for Hell Boys, who were hoping for a win for ANP FC against Comrades FC for them to be able to earn a place in the final eight.

The start to the game for ANP FC was encouraging and one that got Hell Boys dreaming as ANP FC took an early lead through Frank, after being played through a well weighted pass from the midfield. He beat the goalkeeper, sending his effort down the middle of the net.

However, the lead was short-lived as Lukaku restored parity for Comrades FC just before half time thanks to a awful display by the stand-in goalkeeper for ANP FC, who is an outfield player doubling as a goalkeeper in the absence of their goalkeeper.

It got worse for the Hassan led side as defender, Ayo put the ball in his own net from a Comrade FC corner kick to hand to 2-1 win for their opponents, who move to the summit of the group, with seven points, one more than ANP FC and an end to Hell Boys' hopes of reaching the last eight from group D.

The other group B game present a winner takes all contest between Smarts FC and Ultimate Stars. Despite having two glorious opportunities to take the lead which were spurned by their attackers dreadful finishing, Ultimate Stars fell two goals behind just before half time as Yinka and Dotman put Smarts FC 2-0 up, both goals assisted by P Boss.

Full Time results today. Photo Credits: Moore's Graphics.

They continue their dominant show in the second half and Yinka completed his brace by powering his shot past the goalkeeper after a good pass from Villa Cruz, who registered his second assist in the competition.

They had several other chances to go four up and the highlight of those came just after the hour mark as Yinka dribbled his way through, including the goalkeeper but lost his footing and ended up putting the ball out for just a goal kick.

The narrative of the game changed towards the end as Ultimate Stars scored twice in the space of seven minutes through Dhikrillah and Muhammad to ensure a nervy finish to the game for both Smarts FC and Exceptional FC.

However, Smarts FC held on for the win which move them to seven points while Exceptional FC come after them and Ultimate Stars exit the competition on four points, alongside Mariners FC who recorded no point.

The Expendables made the QF, finishing second in group B. Photo Credits: HF WORLD.

Hydro FC have also booked their place in the QF as the winner of group C and will meet ANP FC. Photo Credits: HF WORLD

Smarts FC finished top of group B and will gave the Expendables in the quarter finals. Photo Credits: HF WORLD.

ANP FC are the black sheep of the competition and comfortably  their place in the quarters, where they'll meet Hydro FC. Photo Credits: HF WORLD.

Quarter final draw

Smarts FC vs The Expendables
Comrades FC vs Javelin Boys
Faka United vs Exceptional FC
Hydro FC vs ANP FC

The quarter final games will be played on Saturday, 19th February at the Federal University of Agriculture Abeouta, FUNAAB sports center, Ogun state, Nigeria.

Author: Kehinde Hassan Afolabi

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Another Newcastle defeat means time to go BIG on Eddie Howe might be about right

By -
Image
Eddie Howe's Newcastle United falled to a sixth defeat in seven games as Nottingham Forest sealed a 3-1 comeback win in the Saint James' Park, adding to their Champions League and Carabao Cup elimination in December while they continue to drop down the Premier League table. Credits to the Englishman, however, he is not in an elite level. A project like Newcastle United's is in a stage where you say thank you very much to Eddie Howe, a bid him farewell. It was a miracle, what the former AFC Bournemouth boss has done in his just more than two years at the helm of affairs in Tyneside and after the club failed to make the statement upon their UEFA Champions League qualification, the time couldn't be more right. Eddie Howe took charge of Newcastle United when the club was deep down the bottom of the Premier League standing and helped them become the first-ever to avoid relegation having not won a single game up until Gameweek 14 in the competition's history. Newcastle Un
Read more

Rasmus Hojlund; a pragmatic solution to Manchester United's needs despite likely consequences

By -
Image
Rasmus Hojlund has emerged as a real target for Manchester United as they look to secure a main goalscorer, who will lead the lines for the club on a long-term. Erik Ten Hag has opted for a different approach compared to previous managers of United in recent times, whom had all gone for players of different status. Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Odion Ighalo, Edinson Cavani, Cristiano Ronaldo and Wout Weghorst are strikers the club has signed post Sir Alex Ferguson era, all of whom arrived at the club in their 30s. With Hojlund, United are looking to sign someone who just turned 20, though still has a lot more to learn to master the trade but at the same time, he has got the potentials to become one of the best around. The striker position has been a major issue for the club as many of those who had been signed has not lived up to expectations, while those who did ended up leaving due to their already ending careers. Cristiano Ronaldo and maybe Zlatan Ibrahimovic are the only two names who have m
Read more

Nigeria makes continental history as Osimhen and Oshoala win big in CAF awards

By -
Image
Victory for Nigeria at the CAF awards gala in Marrakech as Victor Osimhen and Asisat Oshoala won the major prizes on the night, making the country the first-ever to produce winners of both CAF Men's and Women's Best Players in the same year. Victor Osimhen crowned Africa's Best For the first time since Kanu Nwankwo 24 years ago, a Nigerian player has won the most prestigious individual accolade in African football with striker Victor Osimhen beating Mohamed Salah and Achraf Hakimi to the CAF Men's Player of the Year award. Osimhen, who enjoyed a sensational year with Napoli, delivering their first Scudetto in 33years and helping them to a first-ever quarter final place in the UEFA Champions League was always front-runner for the award, moreso after Riyad Mahrez failed to make the final three. Aside his conquests with Napoli, the 24-year-old striker was also unplayable in the AFCON qualifiers, scoring ten goals in six games and finishing as top scorer of the qualificatio
Read more