Austin Powers
Austin Fighters
Austin Fighters won against Austin Powers, close to Semi?
Group B encounter between Austin Fighters and Austin Powers had a great deal of expectations and both the teams exceeded the expectations presenting an enjoyable, fast-paced game. Both the teams proved, they are strong knock-out contenders. It was arguably the most thrilling contest on the opening day as both teams showed their mid-field control and fire power throughout the game.
The game started with two of the easiest chances from both sides but both failed due to the goalkeepers’ presences of mind. Austin Fighters got the first attempt to goal with a through ball from Shams, but the left-footed shot from Wasi did not trouble Power’s goalkeeper, Jalal. On the other side, the quartet of Anuj, Sahil, Zayed and Omee from Powers created a combined effort within the Fighter’s D-box. But the defense from Ali, Mukim, and Sakif and the goalkeeper, Rubayat kept them away from danger that time.
After the initial jitters, the Fighter’s went ahead from a team effort right after the first water break. It was Sabiq who took the through ball from the mid-field in control and passed it to the D-box, where Sid placed it to the right side of the net. Getting desperate after being down to 0-1, the Power’s took the mid-field control and also pushed Sohel to offense. After missing a few attempts, the Power’s got the equalizer through a brilliant long shot from Sahil. The Fighter’s had little to do as the strong kick made it to the back of the net through all the defenders and the goalkeeper. The first half of the match ended in 1-1.
The second half started with both teams trying to take control in the mid-field. Powers used Anuj’s excellent dribbling with Sahil’s through passes and Zayed’s fast pace to cause trouble for the Fighters. On the other side, Fighters had Sunny who was constantly neutralizing the attacks from the Powers and Shams who was leading the counter attacks. The breakthrough came almost at the end of the second half when Fighters’ counter attack with their offense. It was Utsha who kept his cool to convert a pass from Wasi to dodge the keeper, Jalal and made his team the winner of the match.
All in all, it was a classic game on the opening day of the tournament and Austin Fighters team had beaten arguably the best team in the group, Austin Powers. Sunny from Fighters was arguably the best player of this match as he showed relentless energy from the defensive-mid to mid-field region and neutralized the attacking quartet of Anuj-Sahil-Zayed-Omee.
Many might call the result an upset; but this result definitely kept this group wide open for all the four teams.