Smart FC maintained their smart start to reach the last eight as Hydro, A-Team and Ball Boys ease to first wins

Smart FC becomes the first side to book a ticket into the last eight of the Exquisite Soccer Gala, 2023 following wins in their first two games and in the round two of games while Hydro FC showed what champions do as they put four unreplied past Peter Obi FC.

Hydro FC team photo

The round two of games saw a lot of exciting times and as some teams sealed progress into the quarters, some did their chances of reaching the stage a world of good, while some others have been left on the brink.

Here is how it played out on Sunday and Monday games:

Group A

Hydro FC 4-0 Peter Obi FC

After losing their first game, defending Champions, Hydro FC needed a win to lift spirits and get their campaign back on track while for their opponent, a win could have seen Peter Obi FC almost through to the quarters.

However, Hydro FC were always favourite heading into the game and immediately after the kickoff whistle, they began to exert their dominance on the came and fashioned a lot of Goalscoring chances but didn't make any count.

Warri was at the heart of a lot of missed chances but the striker from the College of Environmental Resource Management, COLERM eventually won the penalty, which was converted by Jacob to open the scoring for coach Maxwell's side.

Touré made it 2-0 before the interval, volleying home a corner from Jacob, who in the process registered his second assist of the competition, no player has more.

Peter Obi FC right-back, Xingpin put into his own net under pressure to make it 3-0 just before the hour mark and Quadri scored with the last kickoff of the game to complete a 4-0 win for the defending Champions.

Javelin Boys 2-2 Expendables FC

A disappointing result for the Expendables, but a point is not that bad given their poor display in the first kickoff on Monday.

They led courtesy of an own goal from the opposing defender, AY Gas but just before half time, Javelin Boys grabbed a deserved equaliser through Mike.

Luckily and maybe more than what they deserved, another goalkeeper howler from Flamingo, the Goalkeeper of Javelin Boys allowed Expendables FC reestablish their lead through Zaha, who fired into the empty net following a dropped ball.

Javelin Boys went in search of an equaliser and their efforts were crowned late on.

After being awarded a corner instead of a penalty by the referee, they took full advantage of the set-piece and after a scramble in the area, the ball fell kindly to QJ, who fired home a half volley to make it 2-2.

The result means any of the four teams in the group can still progress into the quarter finals heading into the final group games but after two group games, it is Expendables FC, who lead the way with four points.

Hydro FC and Peter Obi FC are both on three while Javelin Boys are on a point, the least they deserve given their overall game play so far.

Group B

Comrade FC 0-0 Yhung Titans

Comrade FC, who were 1-0 winners the last time this two teams went head to head were favoured by many to replicate the result this time but for the second game running, the Yhung Titans’ Goalkeeper, will not be beaten.

Another man of the match performance by him salvage a point for Yhung Titans, leaving them needing a win in their final group game to reach the next round.

Four points for Comrade FC already, avoiding a defeat in their final match will be enough to reach the next round but if they couldn't, they can still progress if results elsewhere go their way.

Ball Boys 2-0 Dream Team

Mustapha of Ball Boys FC

Goals from Nigel and Mustapha sealed a routine win for Ball Boys, taking them to the group summit ahead of Comrade FC on goal difference.

This means a win will automatically of more than a goal will automatically mean Yhung Titans are through to the next round while they'll leave Ball Boys and Comrade FC to battle for the other ticket.

Dream Team have become the first team go get eliminated in the second edition of the Exquisite Soccer Gala.

Group C

Smart FC 2-0 FIJSHPAP FC

Coach Josh’s side becomes the first team to reach the quarters thanks to goals in either half from Salaudeen and SMZ in a flawless 2-0 win over FIJSHPAP FC.

Salaudeen of Smart FC

Salaudeen scored a spectacular free-kick in the first half to get things underway and celebration of the goal sparkled an heated moment, which saw Himzy and Jide sent off for FIJSHPAP and Smart respectively.

Substitutes, Yinka and SMZ combined seconds after coming on, with the latter scoring to double his side’s lead to put the game beyond FIJSHPAP FC.

Smart FC reach the next round while FIJSHPAP FC remain on one point earned from their first game against Standard FC.

Admin FC 1-2 Samba FC

Back-to-back defeat for Admin FC means their run in the competition has come to an end even before the final group game against FIJSHPAP FC.

They conceded the opening goal of the game, an outrageous strike from Samba FC midfielder, Tommy just moments after kickoff.

After labouring all game for an equaliser, they got one with few minutes to spare through Neymar but could not protect it and Samba FC will go on to score the eventual winner deep into added time through Tolu.

With Smart FC already through to the quarter finals, the win for Samba FC means the match between the two will be battle for who finish as group winner but with the latter's status in the next round not secured, it is all to play for when the two go head to head on Tuesday.

Group D

A-Team 2-0 Opulent FC

Opulent FC could not build on their impressive start as they were caged by much better A-Team side, who ran out 2-0 winner in the final kickoff on Sunday evening.

Afo scored a spectacular long range goal in the early minutes and late on in the game, Coal scores to complete the win, which move them to four points and top of the standing ahead of the other group game.

Exceptional FC 1-1 Standard FC

A big opportunity blown for both Exceptional FC and Standard FC, with the latter almost already out of the competition.

Exceptional FC, who had neithet scored nor conceded a goal in the history of the competition having already played five games prior to kickoff, (four games in 2022 and one in 2023), watch their Goalkeeper conceded a blunder that allowed Habeeb scored with a simple onetime finish.

Pade of Exceptional FC

Despite being the favourite heading into the game, conceding that early goal meant they had to chase it from there and they were able to grab a late equaliser through a Pade’s free-kick.

It finished 1-1 and it means all three of A-Team, Opulent FC and Exceptional FC, all on four, three and two points respectively can still reach the next round while Standard FC will need a miracle to progress from the group.

Author : Kehinde Hassan Afolabi