In the context of surprises that the fans of SEALS Cup signed up for, the group stage seems just like the tip of an iceberg. Having gotten to the knockout stages where only a win or loss can end in regular minutes and a draw, extending to penalty shootouts, it’s only normal that tables turn in a quick fashion. The Round of 16 ran for two days straight and now, we have our quarter finalists ready for the higher stages on the road to final. As the quarter finals stage is set, let’s take a look at how the round of 16 played out.
AGRIC ENGINEERING VS STATISTICS
The battle for the quarter final spots opened with the face-off between Agric Engineering and Statistics on Monday, 12th of August. The struggle for goals was a sight to behold. Both teams were evenly matched which made it difficult for the any side to find a goal, leaving the score line as 0–0 at the end of regular minutes. Since the score line couldn’t reflect the better side, the game proceeded to a penalty shootout where both teams put forward their best takers. Statistics scored the first shoot-out kick in the competition. The penalty shoot-out ended in a 5-3 win to Statistics, sending the Agric Engineering side back to their faculty. Statistics proceed to the quarter finals.
PSYCHOLOGY VS PHYSIOLOGY
The second game on Monday was a face-off between Psychology and Physiology, indeed one to witness. The goal-scoring feat began with Alvarez who scored the first goal for the Psychology side. The game continued with so many chances gone begging until Bayo from Physiology found an opportunity to level his side, making it his fourth goal in the tournament. Psychology deemed it fit to finish the game as the winner when AYS found a chance to end it in regular minutes and maximized it to his team’s advantage. The match ended 2-1 to the Social Sciences side, courtesy of AYS’ late winner. Psychology are on to the next stage.
MBBS VS WPE
This was arguably the most anticipated fixture on Monday. The game was very tense as both teams strived so hard to put a goal in the back of the net. The MBBS team had more chances but little luck to score from open play. They had a goal in the first-half but it was flagged offside and the deadlock remained till full-time. The match advanced to a penalty shootout where the MBBS team showed themselves worthy to move on to the quarter finals by scoring their first four penalties while the WPE team stood defenseless, scoring one to their name. MBBS advance to the quarter finals.
VET. MEDICINE VS MICROBIOLOGY
The final game for day one of the Round of 16 fixtures was between Veterinary Medicine and Microbiology. The match started with so much energy from both sides as they strived to score the winning goal of the game. However, both teams were evenly matched until full-time and another shoot-out had to settle the scores. Microbiology seized the opportunity as they put four goals past Vet’s goalie while they (Vet) could only respond with two. Microbiology are now in the quarter finals of the tournament, ending Vet’s journey there.
IPE VS MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
The first match of day 2 – Tuesday, 13th of August – Round of 16 commenced with immense action from IPE and Mech. Both sides played hard in an attempt to own a goal, but time and chance would not permit them. The game continued with a frantic aim for goal until IPE found a chance with the help of Paragon who put the first of the day in, totalling seven to his name in the tournament so far. The goal was the beginning of a turn of events for IPE. The second goal went in for IPE as Pius found the back of the net, leaving Mechanical Engineering to hope for a comeback. Full-time came before a consolation goal for Mech. IPE is now part of the last eight to fight for the trophy.
POL. SCIENCE VS HUMAN KINETICS
The second game of the day was between Political Science and Human Kinetics. The match commenced with action as both teams tried to find their way through the opposition’s defence. The Political Scientists were quick to find the net, courtesy of Oba’s precision. The two teams played so well afterwards but no goal came after from both sides although Political Science’s striker was sent off in the second half after a double-yellow. The match ended as a 1–0 win to 10-man Political Science. Human Kinetics have come this far and Political Science have shown themselves the better side.
AGRIC ECONS VS CIVIL ENGINEERING
The third match of the day, between Agric Economics and Civil Engineering, started right after. Just like others, both sides started full of energy and ready to fight for a spot in the last eight. The game continued with more opportunities surfacing, and none going into the back of the net. Both teams ended the game goalless and the match proceeded to a penalty shootout. The penalty was really a tough one as both teams did not seem to show any signs of tiredness in converting each kick to a goal. The penalty shootout eventually ended in the favour of the Civil Engineers as the Agric Econs guys failed to convert their 7th kick. The penalty shoot-out ended 7-6 in Civil Engineering’s favour and they won the spot in the quarter finals.
PUBLIC HEALTH VS PET. ENGINEERING
The final game of the day and the Round of 16 was between Public Health and Petroleum Engineering. There was so much tension between both teams and it indeed felt like a knockout game. The match ended with a goal from each side; Fadaca scoring for Public Health and Zico for Pet. The last major kick of the game was a set-piece from Public Health’s no.7 which went over the bar. A goal kick followed and then the full-time whistle was blown. The penalty shootout followed immediately after the match. Eventually, the match ended with Pet Engineering qualifying to the quarter finals after sealing it with a 4-2 win in penalty shootout.
The fight for the last 8 spots was very palpitating. Five out of eight matches ended in a penalty shoot-out. Of the 32 teams that started the tournament, the last 8 consist of 2 departments from the Faculty of The Social Sciences, 2 from the Faculty of Science, 1 from Clinical Sciences, and 3 from the Faculty of Technology. On one side of the road to final chart, IPE will be going against Statistics; Political Science against Civil Engineering. On the other side, MBBS will be going against Petroleum Engineering; Microbiology against Psychology. On the first side, there’s a possible Tech derby in the semi-finals. There’s also a possible Tech, Science, and Social Sciences derby in the finals. Let’s see how this plays out. Stay with UIMSA Press.
Goodness Abisoye.