Buchanan City- FC Fassell emerged victorious in a controversial fashion to secure the second edition of the Soccer for Peace tournament, thanks to a late goal from Terry Sackor, overcoming a determined Mighty Barrolle side at the Doris Williams stadium.
By Jaheim T. Tumu- [email protected]
The match was intense, with both teams displaying high energy and tactical discipline. Mighty Barrolle, regarded as the underdogs due to their earlier struggles in the tournament, came into the match with a renewed vigor and looked far from the “beating boys” they had been labeled.
The tightly contested affair saw neither side unable to break the deadlock. FC Fassell dominated much of the half, controlling possession and pressing forward in search of an early breakthrough.
Their well-organized midfield and sharp passing put constant pressure on Mighty Barrolle’s defense, but they could not find a way through the Rollers’ resolute backline.
Despite the Soccer Missionaries’ dominance, Barrolle showed glimpses of their defensive strength and attacking potential. The Rollers’ men stood firm, absorbing waves of Fassell’s attacks, while occasionally launching dangerous counterattacks.
Though their opportunities were limited, Barrolle managed to create a few promising chances that showcased their ability to strike on the break.
The first half ended with both teams locked at 0-0, but the contest remained finely balanced. FC Fassell looked the more likely to score, but Barrolle’s defensive discipline and flashes of offensive threat left the game wide open heading into the second half.
Following the interval, both sides struggled to find the back of the net in the second half. However, the game took a decisive turn when FC Fassell’s coach, Ivan Minnaert made a key substitution, bringing on Moroccan midfielder Mustafa Zirfic.
The Moroccan midfielder quickly made an impact, breaking the deadlock in the 75th minute with a well-taken goal that lifted the spirits of Fassell’s supporters.
Despite the score line, Barrolle refused to back down. Just seven minutes later, Zechariah Jimlack got the equalizer, capitalizing on a defensive error to level the score. With the score tied at 1-1, both teams desperately searched for a match-winner. FC Fassell thought they had found it when they scored again, but the assistant referee raised the flag for offside, ruling the goal out to the dismay and frustration of the Soccer Missionaries’ supporters.
As the game progressed, referee Stanley Konah signaled for an additional 11 minutes of stoppage time, with FC Fassell appearing to be the more likely side to find a winner. After the full 11 minutes had been played, the tension mounted as referee Konah allowed the match to continue, which surprised both teams and fans. Then, in a controversial twist, Sackor pounced on a rebound and scored, sending FC Fassell fans into wild celebration.
However, the goal sparked outrage among the Barrolle’s supporters and other participants teams, particularly Benin side Lotopopo, who finished runner-up, felt that referee Konah’s decision to extend the match beyond the allotted time was unfairly giving FC Fassell the victory.
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