ESG Round Three : Hydro FC, Expendables and Ball Boys joins Smart FC in the next round as Comrade FC suffers a shocking exit

Smart FC has been joined by Expendables FC, Hydro FC, Ball Boys, Yhung Titans, Samba FC, A-Team and Opulent FC in the quarter finals of the second edition of the Exquisite Soccer Gala.

Hydro FC

Comrade FC surprisingly exit the competition after falling to defeat in their final group game, and result in the other group maybe between Yhung Titans and Dream Team did not go their way.

Group A

Expendables FC qualify as group winner after recording two wins and a draw from their three group games.

Their latest win came thanks to Saha’s only goal, which sealed a 1-0 win over Peter Obi FC and subsequently stamping their status as group winner.

The result of the match, which was played on Tuesday meant Hydro FC needs only a draw to seal progress, while Javelin Boys will need all three points against the defending Champions.

But on Wednesday when the two went head to head, Hydro FC were just too good and eased to a 3-1 win thanks to a Warri hat-trick.

Aliu scored the only goal for Javelin Boys, who exit the competition with just a point despite scoring in all three group games.

Group B

Favourite to win the group when the draw was made but it was unfortunate for Comrade FC, as a 1-0 loss to Ball Boys in their final group game on Tuesday meant they had to hope Dream Team prevent Yhung Titans from winning at least to have a chance in the next round.

The win saw Ball Boys progress and earn the status of group winners with seven points from four games.

Featured in the maiden edition as Predators FC and failed to reach the last eight but this time, fortune shines on the name Ball Boys and they reach another height.

And when Wednesday came, it looked as though it was meant to be for Comrade FC after Yhung Titans failed to have a breakthrough in the first half of their clash with Dream Team.

They missed a penalty and hit the woodwork twice from close range in the first 45 minutes, as Comrade FC continued to live the emotion from the stands, wishing in thousands that Yhung Titans never find the back of the net.

However, it was only a matter of time as Salam scores for Yhung Titans right after the restart following a scintillating team move from the middle of the park.

It finished 1-0 to Yhung Titans and they qualify as runner-up to Ball Boys, leaving Comrade FC to exit the competition in the group stages with four points and two clean sheets.

Speaks volume of the inability of Comrade FC to score goals. Dream Team also departs, recording no point from three games.

Group C

Already qualified before their final group game, Smart FC took on Samba FC on Tuesday needing just a point to secure their status as group winner while Samba needed at least a draw to seal progression into the quarters.

It was Samba FC who scored first early in the second half. Seyifunmi scored a penalty to give them the lead and a chance to topple the group

However, the lead did not last for long as Smart FC were awarded another penalty of their own and YK did justice to score his first goal of this edition of the competition.

The midfielder scored three goals in the last edition, all from open play but this term, goals hasn't been easy to come by and the decision of their coach to rotate the team has not help matters.

It finished 1-1 and both Smart FC and Samba qualify as group winner and runner up respectively.

The third game, played for the culture between both Admin FC and FIJSHPAP FC finished goalless, meaning FIJSHPAP FC finished third with two points from three games.

Group D (Inconclusive)

A-Team qualified as group winners while Opulent FC joined as runner-up. No room for Standard FC and Exceptional FC in the last eight.

Comrade FC and Exceptional FC become the only two teams to reach the last eight of the last edition to be eliminated from the group stages this term.

Author : Kehinde Hassan Afolabi