ESG Quarter finals: Hydro FC moves closer towards retaining title and are joined by Smart, A-Team and the Expendables in the last four

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Hydro FC eases to an easy win in their quarter final meeting with the group winner of group B, Ball Boys to become the only runner-up from the group stages to reach the last four.

Hydro FC team photo

The defending Champions took a 2-0 lead in the first half thanks to a Jacob penalty after Doyin was penalized for a foul on Deja Vu following a Jacob delivery from a corner.

The lead was doubled by Chuks moments later, due to a poor game reading of Ball Boys goalkeeper, Raphael, and his indecision was punished by the winger, who just nicked the ball past him from a Warri flicked header.

Mustapha spurned multiple clearcut chances to fire Ball Boys back into that game midway through the second half and they were eventually punished late on by Jay Kay, who made a great run from midfield to get on the end of Chuks pass, slotting past the Goalkeeper.

A 3-0 win means they've now scored more goals in this competition after their fourth game, eleven, already more than they did in the last edition, ten.


Smart FC outsmarts Opulent FC to seal semi final berth

The first quarter final match of the day was contested between Smart FC and Opulent FC and spectators were treated to the unexpected as Opulent FC dominated huge favourites, Smart FC.

Smart FC Goalkeeper, Emmzy with his Player of the match award, sponsored by AUTO SPA


However, their dominance was not evidence in the scoreline as they were continuously denied by an inspired Emmzy in goal for their opponent and it finished all square at the interval

Moments after the restart, Gabs scored what would be the only goal of the game as Smart FC secured passage into the last four for the second edition running.

A-Team humbles Samba FC

Faka and Ernest scored their first goals in this edition of the competition to seal a convincing 2-0 win over Samba FC in the third kickoff of the quarter finals.

Faka opened the scoring with a curling effort in the opening minutes of the game as A-Team got a deserved reward for their great start to the match.

With the game heading into the final minutes and nerves were unsettled due to only one goal separating the two sides, Samba FC committed players forward in search of an equaliser and Ernest pounced on the chance to score the second of the game.

It ended 2-0 in favour of A-Team and they also, for the second edition running reached the semis.

Expendables FC overpowers Yhung Titans

It was a narrow win for the Expendables in the final quarter final game as they needed a late goal from Bayo to steal a lucky win against Yhung Titans and reached the last four for the first time ever.

Both teams were knocked out in the quarter finals last time out and clashing this time, it was certain one of them will reach the last four and Expendables showed more hunger earlier on as they were fired in front through their captain, Tolu, who heads home a Jesse free-kick.

Yhung Titans laboured for an equaliser and were presented a chance to do so midway through the second half. A penalty awarded following Hay Jay’s handball allowed Frank score from 12 yards, sending Goalkeeper, Taiwo the wrong way.

They were not level for long though as Bayo got on the end of a Jesse cross to fire Expendables back in front for the second time in the match and this time, Yhung Titans had no response, and Expendables held on for the win.

Hydro FC will take on Expendables, a rematch of the second edition's curtain raiser for a place in the final, while Smart FC lockhorns with A-Team, and the later will be the biggest one of the round.



Author : Kehinde Hassan Afolabi 

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