The final weekend of the Bangalore events tournament promised to be an exciting one with some mouth-watering clashes in prospect for the Acenture blue and red teams. The blues did amazingly well to qualify top of their group and their reward was a clash with old foes EMC2. The reds meanwhile finished second in their group despite being undefeated as it came down to goal difference. They faced Cisco in the quarters.
The first match saw the reds taking on Cisco, the reds as usual played their short pass and run game but were surprised when Cisco, against the run of play took the lead with a scrappy goal. But the reds did not budge from their playing style and still continued to play their free flowing football. This was rewarded when Ashish picked up a pass from Rohit and with the neatest of finishes brought the reds level with their opponents. After that goal, the reds took control of the game and put it beyond doubt with a goal a piece from Subhash and Vinod.
The blues continued their quest for the top cup with EMC2 being the first hurdle. The match promised to be hard-fought one and it proved to be a dog-fight with both teams giving it all but the kitchen sink. Normal time ended up goalless followed by another fruitless extra-time. Finally it was down to the penalty shootout lottery. The blues scored their first two penalties and while EMC2 missed one of their first three. Now it was upto the blues to score the winning penalty that would take them into the semis. Nithya stepped up to take it with all eyes on him, but the pressure was just too much for him as he whacked it wide of the goalkeeper's left post. The EMC2 players' heaved a sigh of relief, sudden death approaching.
EMC2 scored their first penalty of the sudden death.The experienced Aslam stepped up to keep Accenture in the hunt. His penalty was straight at the keeper who managed to parry it away. EMC2 could not believe their luck, a few minutes back they were staring at defeat and now they were in the semis !!! It was a stellar performance from both teams and a treat for the neutrals. Accenture would have been proud of their performance except for the killer blow which they failed to deliver.
The reds played their semi-final match against Honeywell and would have believed they had an edge over their opponents if they manage to play their game. They got the initial lead through Ashish but could not build on it despite dominating most of the match. The highlight of the match was Vinod's tiff with a Honeywell player that led to some intense physical challenges throughout the rest of the game. In the end Accenture showed they were a cut above their opponents and booked their place in the finals against ANZ.
The finals of the Gold cup was Accenture reds vs ANZ, and had the billing of an edge of the seat thriller. The match definitely lived up to its expectations. ANZ star Suman was expected to be the main threat for the reds and it proved right when he opened the scoring for ANZ with a cool finish at the near post from a corner. 1-0 it was at halftime. The reds began the second half much more composed and bombarded the ANZ goal. Vinod, Ashish, Rohit and Subhash providing good link-up play at the front and Deepak, Guru and Santosh solid at the back. With a typical reds move Vinod, Ashish and Subhash strung a few passes together with Ashish finishing off the move with a goal to bring the reds level. The goal gave the reds confidence to attack even more and it was duly rewarded when Ashish scored his second goal beating ANZ defenders and slotting it home. The reds seem to be in control of the match. But how often have we seen them lose their focus in the dying minutes and conceding late goals, this occassion proved to be no different ANZ broke a reds attack and with a counter-attack of their own managed to score a scrappy goal that went through numerous players but managed to find the back of the net. 2-2 it was !!!
The usual extra-time followed but with the afternoon sun draining the players of their energy no team could create clear cut chances. Ultimately the shoot-out was to decide the winners of the gold cup. The reds would have favoured themselves as Praveen a veteran of numerous shoot-outs would stand between the posts for them. ANZ scored their first penalty and Ashish replied with one for the reds. For the second penalty the ANZ player stepped up, Praveen with his hands stretched guarded the post. There was a pin-drop silence, puffs of dust flew around in the afternoon heat, the ANZ player chose to shoot at Praveen's left post but Praveen's grey cells predicted the same and with a superb dive to his left Praveen managed to keep the ball out !! Subhash was the next one for the reds and he drove one past the ANZ keeper before he could realize. ANZ scored their third penalty and it was now down to Vinod to win it for the reds. With all the world's weight on his shoulders Vinod looked at the sky for some divine help. He smashed it into the top right corner and as it hit the back of the net, Vinod was engulfed in a sea of Accenture players. They had done it, what a masterclass it was from all players, specially Praveen who deservedly also won the goalkeeper of the tournament award.
The strength of the Accenture teams seems to be exponentially increasing each passing day. The hard work and sweat put in during the practice seems to be paying off. If they continue to play the way they are playing there is sure to be more silverware in the Accenture cabinet. There is hope that there is some sort of recognition for all their efforts considering other teams are being very well encouraged by their organizations.
Having said that there is still room for improvement as far as the game in concerned, factors like, defending a lead in the dying minutes, getting substituted when tired, not being substituted when not tired, have affected the outcome of too many games, to be ignored.
All said and done the team is scheduled to attend the victory bash at Santosh's beach front villa in the coming days and it promises to be one helluva party !!!
