In what proved to be a surprising outcome for the day, the BITS Pilani boys’ football team lost 2-0 against the team from Venky’s on day two of BOSM 2017.
‘It certainly wasn’t our best performance’, admitted Siddharth, captain for the home side. After a decisive 4-0 victory against Aryabhatta in the previous match, the team was in good spirits before the start of the game. However, things fell into disarray soon after the kickoff, with possession being stolen at the midfield multiple times by the rival team. A barrage of counter-attacks from the flanks left the home team with no other choice than to strengthen their defense line.
The first half was a high paced contest, characterized by long air balls and quick passes from both sides. The first attack from the home team came at the 13th minute when Siddharth, picked up the loose ball in the center and passed it beautifully to the right winger. However, the defense soon caught up and forced him into a corner. A lob cross to the center was dealt with a mistimed header by number seven Tanay, which narrowly missed the goal post on the far left. It was pretty much the closest the home team ever got to a scoring position for the entire duration of the game.
The rival team continued to dominate the skies with their air balls. Thirteen minutes into the second half, a chip cross from the left wing was blocked by the goalkeeper. Unfortunately, the ball rebounded to a rival team player, who netted it with a comfortable header, giving Venky’s the lead. The second goal followed soon afterwards in 43rd minute when a long pass from the defense area was well received by the striker, who blew it past the goalkeeper on his second touch, effectively sealing the game. The home team cried foul, but the referee denied their request, and the teams resumed play.
Having conceded two goals in quick concession, the home team showed signs of giving up towards the end of the game. At the final whistle, the team headed back to the dugout to re-strategize for their upcoming games in the league stage.