10 Man Giants Blaze past LASU Football Team
Onwuka Sylvester
The Obafemi Awolowo University Football Team, the OAU Giants, took a giant stride towards qualification into the Semi-Finals with a hard fought 2 nil triumph over LASU Blazers in the Ongoing Higher Institution Football League (HIFL).
The Ife boys took off on a bright note in the opening stages, but for the agility of the Blazers Goalkeeper, Saka Abiola, who was exceptional in goal to deny the giants from getting a goal despite several attempts.
However, the Giants then suffered a major setback in the 42nd minute after Muraina Tohba was sent off by the Referee for elbowing an opponent. Down to 10 Men, the Giants maintained a low profile to see the game through the first half with nothing to separate both sides at half time.
After the break, the home side with a renewed sense belief, got the opener within the first 5 minutes. Adeyemi Opeyemi (Crespo) curled the ball past goalkeeper Saka after a mesmerising run down the left flank to break the deadlock.
Thereafter, the giants hit the back of the net on 3 different occasions which were ruled out for offside. Luck once again smiled on the Giants, when Bamishaye was brought down in the box with just 1 minute of the 5 minutes added time left. Crespo made no mistake from the spot to earn himself a man of the match performance while giving the giants a 2 goal cushion going into the 2nd leg.
Speaking with OAU Kilonshele on his performance, the 2 goal hero expressed delight saying, "I am very happy, I worked for it and I got it."
Also speaking with newsmen, Coach of the Giants, Coach Chike who described the game as a hard fought match, showered praises on the blazers goalkeeper for a fantastic showing. When asked about his expectations for the 2nd leg in Lagos, the coach expressed confidence that his side will win.
The LASU blazers who were recently crowned champions of the Remmitta Cup, will now hope to surmount a 2 goal mountain while hoping the giants do not score when the 2 sides resume hostilities at the LASU Sports Complex in 7 days time.
The Lagos based side who are making their debut in the HIFL, have had a fantastic run having played 8 matches so far from the qualifiers, defeating Futa Tigers 4-2 on penalties after 2 barren draws to progress to the quarter finals.
Meanwhile the Giants will be looking to secure their second consecutive semi-final spot and better the bronze medal gotten last time out in the HIFL competition maiden edition.
The Obafemi Awolowo University Football Team, the OAU Giants, took a giant stride towards qualification into the Semi-Finals with a hard fought 2 nil triumph over LASU Blazers in the Ongoing Higher Institution Football League (HIFL).
The Ife boys took off on a bright note in the opening stages, but for the agility of the Blazers Goalkeeper, Saka Abiola, who was exceptional in goal to deny the giants from getting a goal despite several attempts.
However, the Giants then suffered a major setback in the 42nd minute after Muraina Tohba was sent off by the Referee for elbowing an opponent. Down to 10 Men, the Giants maintained a low profile to see the game through the first half with nothing to separate both sides at half time.
After the break, the home side with a renewed sense belief, got the opener within the first 5 minutes. Adeyemi Opeyemi (Crespo) curled the ball past goalkeeper Saka after a mesmerising run down the left flank to break the deadlock.
Thereafter, the giants hit the back of the net on 3 different occasions which were ruled out for offside. Luck once again smiled on the Giants, when Bamishaye was brought down in the box with just 1 minute of the 5 minutes added time left. Crespo made no mistake from the spot to earn himself a man of the match performance while giving the giants a 2 goal cushion going into the 2nd leg.
Speaking with OAU Kilonshele on his performance, the 2 goal hero expressed delight saying, "I am very happy, I worked for it and I got it."
Also speaking with newsmen, Coach of the Giants, Coach Chike who described the game as a hard fought match, showered praises on the blazers goalkeeper for a fantastic showing. When asked about his expectations for the 2nd leg in Lagos, the coach expressed confidence that his side will win.
The LASU blazers who were recently crowned champions of the Remmitta Cup, will now hope to surmount a 2 goal mountain while hoping the giants do not score when the 2 sides resume hostilities at the LASU Sports Complex in 7 days time.
The Lagos based side who are making their debut in the HIFL, have had a fantastic run having played 8 matches so far from the qualifiers, defeating Futa Tigers 4-2 on penalties after 2 barren draws to progress to the quarter finals.
Meanwhile the Giants will be looking to secure their second consecutive semi-final spot and better the bronze medal gotten last time out in the HIFL competition maiden edition.
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