May be the day knew what was in store for the SSPP fans. the sun hid behind the hazy cover of fog and smoke that hung over the city.
It was cold and i shivered as i stood there by the bylines in the breeze that made me want to join the guys on the pitch in order to keep warm. it wouldn't get any sunnier for the body as well as the mind. 3-2, the final scoreline in favor of ZOD as SSPP slumped to their second close defeat in 3 games and with it went the chance of making it to the next round. a defeat and a draw had not dampened the spirit of support [that again turned out in large numbers] and with the slightest of chances remaining, however, in the end it was to be a case of chances not taken. another game of goals, another defeat. and now just one game and a matter of pride left for all the fanfare with which this journey began.
The match venue was shifted to the Jesus and Mary College ground as the Delhi Government decided that the Nov. 14th Children's Day celebration could be held only at the Ambedkar Stadium instead of the many other grounds [bigger, better and probably available for use] across the city. so, the 22 men on the pitch now cramped into a field about two-thirds of the normal football pitch and the result, an end to end football match with no discernable midfield action because once the half line was crossed they were in shooting distance of the goals.
Needing a positive result, SSPP were up running from the whistle. it was a much more assured display from the men in white as compared to the previous matches, though it wasn't without some heart-stopping moments in defence. the first choice centre-back was then carried off after he aggravated a knee injury he was carrying from before. the defence has been the weak link in this team with mistakes often undoing the good forward play and this has kept this team winless. this time, however, a nervy ZOD keeper meant, he was the busier keeper in the first half as SSPP shot at goal from every opening. the keeper pulling off some wonderful saves to keep the scores level. however, it was his mistake that gave SSPP the lead. a cross to the far post from the left was flapped at by the keeper, the ball only popped up in front of the goal to be chested into an open goal by the SSPP no. 7. there were other close calls and one gilt-edge chance when the left winger blasted high over a gaping goal. so, "another half-time lead" said one of the supporters i overheard, "just like the first match." yes, indeed.
The defensive display this time around was much more cohesive and ZOD didn't look like breaking through while at the other end, the ZOD keeper was busy tipping long range shots over the bar and making athletic saves. then, came the turning point of the match. a ball played over the SSPP defence set a ZOD striker free and bearing down on goal, the last SSPP defender chasing him could only clip his legs as he tried to get back and the referee was forced to produce red. there was no other option for the referee. a man down and more misery as the resulting free-kick was wonderfully converted to level the scores.
The SSPP players were left dazed. with only three defenders, the disruption caused by the sending off was pounced on by ZOD as they took the lead a couple of minutes later. the defence still coming to terms with their loss, confusion reigned as a cross came in from the right, it wasn't dealt with and though, the initial shot from the ZOD left winger who got on the end of the cross was saved the ball fell to an unmarked ZOD player in the six yard box who swiped it into the open goal. 2-1, the Himalayas to climb to get back into the match and in contention for a next round spot.
SSPP did get back into the match. with 10 men against 11, ZOD seemed to be the team missing a player as SSPP tried to carve out an equaliser and a winner. the ZOD keeper kept them at bay. the equaliser did finally come when a clever flick looped over the ZOD keeper into the net. however, in the end it was not be. the SSPP no.10, scorer in every match so far kept up his run however, this time with an own goal as he only managed to nick a weak corner kick past his keeper while attempting to clear it. it was not to be their day at all. a chance for another equaliser at the death was missed when a header from a few feet in front of the goal was sent over.
It was another thriller of a match for the neutrals. heartbreak for SSPP while ZOD celebrated their progress to the next round beneath the gloomy Delhi sky. winter has finally arrived.
It was cold and i shivered as i stood there by the bylines in the breeze that made me want to join the guys on the pitch in order to keep warm. it wouldn't get any sunnier for the body as well as the mind. 3-2, the final scoreline in favor of ZOD as SSPP slumped to their second close defeat in 3 games and with it went the chance of making it to the next round. a defeat and a draw had not dampened the spirit of support [that again turned out in large numbers] and with the slightest of chances remaining, however, in the end it was to be a case of chances not taken. another game of goals, another defeat. and now just one game and a matter of pride left for all the fanfare with which this journey began.
The match venue was shifted to the Jesus and Mary College ground as the Delhi Government decided that the Nov. 14th Children's Day celebration could be held only at the Ambedkar Stadium instead of the many other grounds [bigger, better and probably available for use] across the city. so, the 22 men on the pitch now cramped into a field about two-thirds of the normal football pitch and the result, an end to end football match with no discernable midfield action because once the half line was crossed they were in shooting distance of the goals.
Needing a positive result, SSPP were up running from the whistle. it was a much more assured display from the men in white as compared to the previous matches, though it wasn't without some heart-stopping moments in defence. the first choice centre-back was then carried off after he aggravated a knee injury he was carrying from before. the defence has been the weak link in this team with mistakes often undoing the good forward play and this has kept this team winless. this time, however, a nervy ZOD keeper meant, he was the busier keeper in the first half as SSPP shot at goal from every opening. the keeper pulling off some wonderful saves to keep the scores level. however, it was his mistake that gave SSPP the lead. a cross to the far post from the left was flapped at by the keeper, the ball only popped up in front of the goal to be chested into an open goal by the SSPP no. 7. there were other close calls and one gilt-edge chance when the left winger blasted high over a gaping goal. so, "another half-time lead" said one of the supporters i overheard, "just like the first match." yes, indeed.
The defensive display this time around was much more cohesive and ZOD didn't look like breaking through while at the other end, the ZOD keeper was busy tipping long range shots over the bar and making athletic saves. then, came the turning point of the match. a ball played over the SSPP defence set a ZOD striker free and bearing down on goal, the last SSPP defender chasing him could only clip his legs as he tried to get back and the referee was forced to produce red. there was no other option for the referee. a man down and more misery as the resulting free-kick was wonderfully converted to level the scores.
The SSPP players were left dazed. with only three defenders, the disruption caused by the sending off was pounced on by ZOD as they took the lead a couple of minutes later. the defence still coming to terms with their loss, confusion reigned as a cross came in from the right, it wasn't dealt with and though, the initial shot from the ZOD left winger who got on the end of the cross was saved the ball fell to an unmarked ZOD player in the six yard box who swiped it into the open goal. 2-1, the Himalayas to climb to get back into the match and in contention for a next round spot.
SSPP did get back into the match. with 10 men against 11, ZOD seemed to be the team missing a player as SSPP tried to carve out an equaliser and a winner. the ZOD keeper kept them at bay. the equaliser did finally come when a clever flick looped over the ZOD keeper into the net. however, in the end it was not be. the SSPP no.10, scorer in every match so far kept up his run however, this time with an own goal as he only managed to nick a weak corner kick past his keeper while attempting to clear it. it was not to be their day at all. a chance for another equaliser at the death was missed when a header from a few feet in front of the goal was sent over.
It was another thriller of a match for the neutrals. heartbreak for SSPP while ZOD celebrated their progress to the next round beneath the gloomy Delhi sky. winter has finally arrived.
By Thangminlien Kipgen
Source-Zolengthe.net
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