Image Credit: Tamar Collins & Farscal
Group B in the SEALS Cup was tipped to be the hottest following the team draws earlier in September, as the group features two faculty cup winners from the last session, namely, Philosophy and Mechanical Engineering. As a result, their faceoff on Monday was heavily anticipated by most football folks at the University of Ibadan.
Philosophy has constantly featured as one of the top contending teams in football tournaments across the campus, and their display on Monday was as entertaining as soccer can get in the university. Throw in some episodes of disorganization from their Tech rivals, and their 3-0 scoreline was almost expected.
Star players Awolowo, Raphael, LakesJay, John, and team captain Prime
all contributed to the eventual scoreline, as Awolowo and Raphael were a
constant menace for the Mechanical Engineering side. They constantly retrieved
possession and tore through the Mech Engineering defence with amazing
precision, even though the defence tried to hold firm against Philosophy’s
onslaught at times.
The first goal came some 10 minutes into the game after the Philosophy team had gained significant control over the game, particularly in the midfield. John controlled a lofted pass in the Mech Engineering defence and took a swipe at the ball. The Mech Engineering keeper was equal to the shot, but he spilt it, allowing LakesJay’s late run to send the ball home and grant Philosophy the lead.
To Mechanical Engineering’s credit, they had a commendable first half, levelling up to Philosophy at times while doing a fine job of keeping John offside for most of the first half. Awolowo came close to scoring in the first half with a short freekick, but the Mech Engineering keeper kept it out of goal expertly. Raphael struck the right-hand post with a fierce volley, and LakesJay saw a delicately lobbed shot saved by the Mech keeper.
The Philosophy attack struck gold in the second half, as captain Prime notched a goal off a fine volley following a long throw-in. The goal came after a host of chances for the Mech Engineering side, as Dunamis couldn’t direct both his shots on target in the opening stages of the second half.
The second goal greatly upset the Mech Engineering team, and Philosophy soon got a third goal, although it was ruled out because of a foul in Mech Engineering’s box. The ball hit the back of the net for the fourth in the match, and, this time, it stood.
The goal was courtesy of LakesJay’s left foot, as the midfielder got an offload from Prime and turned to whip in a curled effort past the helpless Mech Engineering goalie. It only summed up Mech Engineering’s game all morning, as the players simply wished for the final whistle, which was thankfully some minutes after Philosophy’s third goal.
LakesJay leads the scorers in the tournament, and the Philosophy will be looking to land a spot in the knockout stages after such a statement win in their opening fixture.
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