MBBS advanced to the 2024 SEALS Cup final after a lone goal win against Psychology at the Old Football Stadium, popularly known as SUB Pitch, on 19th of August, 2024.
The match, which was the first semi-final game, was earlier scheduled for 4:30pm but started at 5:04pm. MBBS players started the game brightly, charging at the opposition’s defence. Psychology appeared to play a highly defensive game, isolating their two strikers upfront – the famous ‘Haaland’ being one of them. The MBBS players struggled to find their strikers with lofted passes but in the 6th minute of the match, Prestige registered a curling shot that missed the net by a few inches. Two minutes later, Psychology won a corner kick but resorted to playing it short and eventually lost the ball.
In the 15th minute, Prestige tried another shot but this time it was wide off the mark. MBBS players continued to try lofted passes but Psychology’s defence remained resilient to keep the scoreline even. Istanbul, Tafa, and Ramoni of MBBS also kept clearing their lines the few times Haaland threatened with a move or a pass to the flank. Teslim could not convert his freekick in the 20th minute and it was evident that the student doctors needed a strong taker on the pitch. Ola also entertained the fans with numerous dribbles and dangerous runs but could neither find Karbon nor hit the ball into the back of the net.
Psychology slowly grew into the game with their midfielders trying to find Haaland. However, the presence of Istanbul and Ramoni thwarted their attempts. In the 23rd minute, an effort from Psychology went off target. The first half ended with neither team ahead.
The second half was more even. The MBBS goalkeeper, Emerald, was called into action a number of times. Haaland attempted a shot just after the midline but, once again, Emerald was equal to it. MBBS began their press again. This time, Karbon found Ola with a freekick and the ball appeared to hit the back of the net but it was cleared off the line by a glancing header. The game continued amidst the shouts of ‘Goal!’ and appeal for a re-consideration from the stands. MBBS made their first substitution 6 minutes later, with Habeeb replacing Fuhad. Habeeb immediately took charge of a freekick won by Ola and curled it but Psychology’s keeper was equal to the attempt, embracing the ball to his chest. A minute later, Karbon crossed the ball from the left flank into the box and the rebound found Ola who played the ball into an empty net, sending the MBBS fans into wild jubilations.
The game became more physical and Karbon was booked for a foul in the 41st minute. Ola continued to dribble, winning freekicks for the student doctors as they charged for another. He was eventually injured by a Psychology defender in the 44th minute and had to be replaced by Portian. The defender was eventually booked for persistent fouling. Afterwards, the game became one-sided with Psychology trying several attempts on goal and MBBS relying on clearances from Istanbul, Ramoni, Tafa, and Gerald. Gerald countlessly sent threats from the LW back to the offence, creating a few chances with some opportunities. Behemoth also remained solid to thwart on-rushing advances from the Social Sciences side.
Tofunmi came on for Teslim in the 53rd minute and just two minutes later, he went down after a tackle. He later got back into the game. Karbon began to split Psychology’s defence with dribbles but ultimately, could not find the back of the net. In the latter minutes of the match, Psychology had freekicks at dangerous positions but all attempts were not fruitful as Emerald came clutch. Seven minutes later, the referee whistled and indicated full-time, inducing joyous shouts from the MBBS fans as they invaded the pitch.
Speaking with UIMSA Press, after the match, Haaland from Psychology mentioned that his team played good football, likewise MBBS, but their weakness was in the midfield. He also said that “he believes MBBS can win the cup and he will be rooting for them in the final only if they will be facing IPE“. This is understandable seeing that another Social Sciences outfit will be facing IPE in the other semi-finals game. Timilehin ‘Dr. Akinbile’, popularly known as Rae Timzy, mentioned that MBBS played really well and that the only thing missing in their game was conversion from the attackers. “We played really well today but we were missing in the attack. It was until Habeeb came on that the attack became sharp. We still need to work on the attack. I am happy for the win and I am confident that we can win the final”.
With this, MBBS are in the finals of the SEALS Cup 2024. They will now wait for the match between Political Science and IPE tomorrow to know their opponents in the final while Psychology will also wait to know who they will contend the bronze medal with.
Emmanuel Ibitunde.