Highflyer FC (2) – (3) Phoenix FC
Scorers:Highflyers FC (Devansh Thakkar 39’; Tejan Paliwal 50’)Phoenix FC (Fulgence Kouame 23’, 32’,41’)
As we edge closer to the end, the leaderboard is tight and teams are bringing out their best to finish the season on a high. Game week 9’s opening fixture was no less than a thriller. On a beautiful morning, Highflyers and Phoenix stepped out to put on a spectacular display.
Phoenix wanted to create early inroads but Highflyers weren’t easy to get around. The forwards from both the teams had wild shots ricocheting off the post. And Phoenix FC’s defence was good with key clearances.
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Highflyers have been known to put up a fight until the end and this adds a lot of thrill to their game. Though they were two goals down, they continued pressing and made the game go down to the wire.
First, Devansh Thakkar connected with Varun Joneja’s cross to pull one back before Tejan Paliwal scored a second in the 50th minute. The last ten minutes were tense but the Phoenix defence showed good resolve in holding off their opponents.
Fulgence and Arnaud were at their best. Arnaud held the midfield together and Fulgence was a beast in attack. His tackles, dribbles, beautiful footwork and mind games allowed him to dominate the game. His fine performance won him the Man of the Match yet again.
Man of the Match: Fulgence Kouame (Phoenix FC)
Delhi Student FC (3) – (3) Ultimate FC
Scorers:Delhi Student FC (Ajay D 15’; Utkarsh D 46’; Saurabh Bhanwala 53’)Ultimate FC (Shravan Choudhary 22’. 27’; Samarth U 38’)
The game between Delhi Students and Ultimate was an interesting one. Even though Delhi students played with 9 men they gave Ultimate a fight.
Even with the disadvantage of fielding only 10 men and then losing one of their good players due to injury, Delhi Students FC were composed and moved the ball around really well. They kept feeding balls to their wingers so that they could spread Ultimate’s defence and then attack narrow in the front. It worked out really well. This play gave them the lead they wanted with Ajay finding the net early.
Ultimate FC woke up thereafter and within minutes, their star player Shravan carried the ball from the flank to beat the right back and neatly pulled one past the goalkeeper.
There was an exceptional level of skill and talent on display. Ultimate had some really good chances including a one-on-one run but eventually the shot was wide.
Moments like this kept the game’s intensity high and also gave the audience an exciting match to watch.
Man of the Match: Shravan Choudhary (Ultimate FC)
Storm Youth FC (0) – (1)FC Dwarka
Scorers:Dwarka FC (Sanjay Rawat 7’)
Dwarka FC, who lost their lead last week due to a draw against FC Kickers, came back to reclaim their spot. Storm Youth were in for a surprise as FC Dwarka were raring to get a goal from the get-go. A good early run allowed them to score with Sanjay Rawat striking the ball into the back of the net in the 7th minute from inside the box.
This early lead made Storm Youth a little shaky and from there it was a battle of determination. Storm Youth had to come up with different tactics to try and rattle Dwarka’s defence which they succeeded at times as they went close to scoring but their efforts were not enough.
Dwarka’s wingers Ajay Rawat and Sanjay Rawat made some beautiful runs with Kunal giving much-needed support from the centre. His towering height allowed him to intercept and place brilliant balls to the wingers.
Storm Youth’s Eric who came on in the second half did well to run with the ball from the flank but the strikers were very unlucky with their shots.
FC Dwarka’s efforts to score another goal went in vain as a superb cross from the right curled into the far post to deny them a comfortable lead. However, they did walk away with all three points to put them back on top of the leaderboard.
Man of the Match: Sanjay Rawat (Dwarka FC)
FC Kickers (4) – (2) Ultimate FC
ScorersFC Kickers (Cologne 12’, 18’; Taika 55’; Shokuro 61’)Ultimate FC (Stavya U 11’, 23’)
The final game of day two on gameweek 9 was a thriller. Going into the game, FC Kickers were the favourites to take home a comfortable win. But Ultimate came with their game face on and made sure that they were there to disappoint one of the best teams in the league.
To the surprise of the audience, Ultimate FC scored first and shocked everyone. The game then intensified with tackles, plays and some brilliant footwork. FC Kickers weren’t going to walk away with a loss. A brilliant team effort and through pass allowed Cologne to chip the ball into the back of the net. Two successive goals gave them the lead.
Ultimate FC weren’t finished either as their star player Shravan made brilliant plays. He ran on the flanks with ease, dribbling past the defence without any hassle though he was up against guys twice his size.
The moment that turned the game around was a free kick rewarded to FC Kickers due to a goalkeeper error right outside the box. FC Kickers had two players ready to take the shot. The whistle blew. Kenzo’s run over the ball to fake a kick left everyone confused. Then all of a sudden Kenzo turned around, tapped the ball and Taika smoothly sent the ball into the right top corner. Beautiful!
This was definitely the best free kick and the craziest tactic the league had seen. It left everyone on and off the pitch in awe. It was crafty yet beautifully thought out.
FC Kickers walked away with all three points crushing Ultimate FC but Ultimate can walk away with their heads held high because they were equally good, but unlucky in front of goal.
Man of the Match: Cologne (FC Kickers)
