JOURNAJUNKIE

USFC's effort not paying off

With six games remaining and just 12 points so far, United Sikkim is clearly on the verge of losing its hard earned place in the I-league. In a match completely dominated by the home team, ONGC’s Eric Brown scored a goal in the additional time to upset the anxious USFC and its supporters. And this is not the first time. Just like in today’s match, the Snow Lions have let away probable victories in the final minutes after playing their hearts out for 89 minutes. 

The match started with plenty of attacks from both sides, most from the home team. United Sikkim had most of the shots on target but missed precise and showed lack of experience. Australian Steve Hayes was good in his debut game for USFC with plenty of assists and counter attacks. The Australian blonde’s good performance earned him the Player of the Match award but that was just a consolation USFC could get out of this match. Another debutant midfielder from Spain, Pablo Rodriguez did not looked very convincing in first game with his number of falls higher than number of shots he made.

Ashish Chettri shot a deflected ball from Pablo’s foot into the net in the 31^st minute only to be called offside by a referee. In the stoppage time another goal from Pablo was also declared as offside. With that forbidden goal the home side went to interval with no goals when the figure could have been different favouring them. Coming into the second half USFC had a chance to break a deadlock. Left forward Linekar Machado couldn’t convert that good chance with just goalkeeper standing on his way. Two minutes later Nuruddeen Salau’s header went just over the top bar.

ONGC’s Robin Gurung booked himself for the first yellow card of the game in 55^th minute and offered another chance for the home team. Ashish’s header from the corner kick went away from second bar when the keeper was unmoved at first bar. Soon, Nima made a brilliant pass for Pablo but before the Spanish could make the shot, three ONGC defenders got control of the ball. In the closing minutes of the official time, Ashish could have won a match for United Sikkim when he had one-on-one chance, which he made mess of it.

After achieving a great victory, ONGC Coach Santosh Kashyap was happy and all praise for his defenders. According to him, Sikkim and Lajong are the toughest opponent for any away teams. The unhappy USFC coach Nathan Hall said, “The players completely dominated the whole game just to concede a goal in the additional time. They need little bit quality and composure towards the end of the match.”

Suffering another defeat and going into the next game, the USFC players will take a break for about two weeks before they play against Prayag United whom they conceded 10 goals in the previous encounter.  “It will be very difficult in our remaining matches and I will try to remain optimistic. And about the survival, realistically and logically we have a chance”, added Hall.

With three new foreign signings in about a week, USFC hoped to pull the rabbit out of hat but just like any other matches, they got beaten again.  How long will it take for Snow Lions to win a match and when they do, won’t it be too late?