Atletico Austin
Austin Mighty BDs
Desperate Austin Mighty BDs fights back, still in the race!
So close, yet so far! That’s what Atletico Austin would be thinking. In contrast, Austin Mighty BDs would be celebrating this tie as a win as they have shown grit and came back at the very last minute of the game!
This game was the most anticipated game of the league-stage, and both the teams presented a very exciting game that enthralled all the audience. Atletico started on the front foot as they always do, pushing Niraf and Kollol up front. Captain Abu Masud built his midfield with the best defensive midfielder of the tournament so far, Tomal, energetic Sazal, and rookie Jashim. They built their defensive mid-line with Khwaja, Sohel Rahman and Zarif, just above the defensive line of Upal, Neon, and Ilias led by the wall, Wali Jr.
On the other hand, mastermind Sami gave up the Captaincy to Austin’s best defender, Zahedul Khan to focus on his game to destroy Atletico Austin. Captain Sami played a master tactic switching sides with Ryan, pushing Ryan to the right wing and himself taking the left. Upfront, they deployed opportunistic Bahar and speedy Munna. In the midline they had energetic, Mortuza and Shouvic just above the scary looking defense of Reazul, Faisal Rashid, Zahid Hasan, led by makeshift Captain Zahedul Khan.
Taking the opportunity of the first 10-mins rule, Atletico pressed up pushing Abu Masud, Niraf and Tomal, all upfront. The strong defense of Mighty BDs was at a loss, when Niraf fed an excellent ball to Abu Masud, who made no mistake sending the ball back of the net; 1-0 for Atletico!
Right after the goal, the central defender of Atletico, Wali Jr. pulled his hamstring, and was forced out of the game. That came as a big blow to Atleticos and Mighty BDs took that opportunity and waved a spree of attacks led by Ryan, Sami, Bahar and Munna. Ryan and Sami started crossing from right and left and jittered the Atletico defense with ceaseless attacks. Bahar and Munna missed couple of chances in quick succession. Atletico defense was looking for a breather, but there wasn’t any. However, Atletico Keeper, Tasneem stood tall like a wall and negotiated several good attempts. He proved he is still arguably the best keeper in town. Neon and Upal scratched couple of good attempts; even Tomal came down to assist the defense. Somehow Atleticos went to the half time scrambling, but still leading 1-0.
As Atleticos always do, they organized themselves and started 2nd half again on the front foot. Niraf showed why he is the hot pick in the draft. He kept crossing from outside the D box hoping that someone would head one in. It was none other than Tomal, who scored again with a header off Niraf’s cross, 2-0 for Atletico. Mighty BDs looked frustrated and dumbfounded by the goal. As Mighty BD kept pressing and went all out attack with Shouvik, Mortuza, Ryan, Sami and Bahar, it opened up some space for Niraf. Every time Niraf took a chance at the post with his long kick, it felt like going in either directly, or thru a header from Tomal or a flick from Abu Masud. With Zahedul Khan moving up the pitch, it was Faisal Rashid who defended like a Tiger. With rookie goalie, Ayon at the post, Faisal took no chances, and kept clearing all the shots from Niraf sometimes with his boot, sometimes head, sometimes chest! Faisal Rashid just reinvented himself as a defender!
At the other end, Zahedul Khan was having a game of his life. Giving himself the license, he started playing the central forward! The defense without Wali Jr. kept defending out of their skin, only until the last 10 minutes of the game! Irritated by Captain Sami on his face, Keeper Tasneem made a mistake kicking the ball in a hurry, but only to the attacking 3rd of the Mighty BDs. It was two vs two situation, but Veteran Bahar kept his cool, received the ball within the D-box, dodged advancing Upal, and fed the ball to Zahedul Khan. Zahedul, cool as cucumber, dodged both Tasneem and Neon, and sent the ball back of the net, 2-1! Even Mo Salah would have been proud of that goal!
Atletico Austin still leading 2-1, went to a panic mode. They made a blunder pulling back all the players including Niraf to defense, except for Abu Masud. Getting open spaces all over the midfield, Mighty BDs was sniffing the 2nd goal. They went all out and kept pressing for the equalizer. With excellent keeping by Tasneem, Atletico kept defending well but only until the last minute of the game. Atletico defense conceded a corner at the last minute of the game. Mastermind Sami gambled taking the corner kick instead of regular corner taker, Ryan. The defensive wall of Atleticos tried to head the ball out, but it went directly to completely unmarked, Ryan at the edge of the D-Box! It was the greatest blunder of the game, and that had costed Atleticos the match. Ryan took an excellent volley that escaped the defensive wall. Keeper Tasneem could only see the ball netted as he was completely blindsided by the defensive line; 2-2! Mighty BDs ran down the pitch screaming in joy. Atleticos broke down to the ground in agony – gutted, distraught, and dumbfounded.
The pressure was up, excitement was to the brim; a nerve wrecking finish, 2-2! the best game of the tournament so far. This result opened this group up completely. Any of the four teams can still make it to the semi-final!