Atletico Austin
ATX Thundercats
Clinched! Atletico Austin secure their first win, top in the group.
One of the opening games of the tournament between Atletico Austin and ATX Thundercats started with a blunder from the defensive-mid and defense of Atletico Austin. One of the most experienced players, Tomal presented a gift to Thundercat’s opportunistic striker, Liton within the D Box. The defensive line of Upal, Nion, and Ilias led by Wali was dumbfounded and had given up; they left the fate to the veteran keeper, Tasneem. Tasneem covered the angle and forced Liton shoot wide of the post. Liton must be ruing this opportunity for the days to come.
Led the way....
Shrugging off the blunder, Atletico Austin quickly took over the mid-field. Veteran Captain Abu Masud led the midfield along with Jami and young turk, Zarif. Niraf and another Veteran Kollol played up front larking at the through balls from the midfield.
ATX Thundercats had Tihar, Nihal, Asab, Nihad, and Faisal at the defense, just behind Captain Manar, and young turk Dhrubo at the defensive midfield. Arbab and Pallab tried to build up from the midfield and attempted several through balls to Liton and Saymon. But both Liton and Saymon were caged by the defensive line of Atletico. Thundercats deployed Nihal, Nihad, Tihar, and Faisal all behind Niraf, and that opened up the space for Masud, Jami and Kollol. At times, Thundercats became ultra-defensive dealing with Niraf-Masud-Jami trio. Tomal moving up the pitch and pressing made it more difficult for Thundercats
Waving a spree of attacks, Atletico almost found a goal when Tomal headed a cross from Niraf to the post. The strong header somehow came off the post. Soon after, Captain Abu Masud received a ball outside the D-box of Thundercats and took a powerful kick at the post. Defender, Asab couldn’t stop the ball without using his hands; Atleticos screamed for a penalty, but the referee was unfazed; no penalty. The defense and defensive-mid of Thundercats stood like a wall and deflected all the attacks and frustrated Atletico. Manar stood up front like a wall and Asab led the second layer of defense. Veteran Kollol missed an open chance sending the ball wide of the post from a close-range.
Thundercats couldn’t create any other chance in the first half; they there busy defending at the backline. The talented attacking trio of Arbab-Liton-Saymon seemed at a loss. The first half ended at 0-0.
The ends changed but the rhythm was unchanged in the 2nd half. The midfield of Atletico continued their ceaseless press through Abu Masud and Niraf. And finally, the constant press paid off. Receiving a ball from the defense, Sazal fed the ball to Captain Abu Masud, who took a right-footed curved shot and sent the ball back of the net beating the inexperienced keeper, Novo; 1-0 for Atletico. Thundercats defense that was defending well until this time, suddenly seemed tired and weary. Conceding a goal, Manar moved up the pitch and started pressing with excellent passing football with Arbab. But none of the through balls reached Liton and Saymon as they were caged by the defensive midline and defense led by Khwaja and Wali Jr. respectively. As Thundercats tried hard for the equalizing goal, it opened up some space for Niraf who took a long-range shot from the right side closer to the midfield. Tomal couldn’t help but reinforced the ball into the back of the net; 2-0!
When play resumed right after the 2nd goal, there was an unfortunate collision between Captain Manar and Tomal as both leaped to head the ball in the air. Manar grounded as Tomal’s head accidentally ended up at Manar’s nose. After some medical aid, brave Manar stood up and resumed leading the team even with the pain at his nose. Thundercats had no other choice but to go for all out attack. It handed an opportunity to Niraf, who floated another dipping rainbow kick from close to the midline. Thundercats keeper Novo was deceived by the wind that worked against his judgement; 3-0 for Atletico!
Thundercats tried their best remainder of the game, but it wasn’t their day. Things might have been different had Liton scored the goal at around 30 seconds of the game!