Intermoengatope needle Milerock in exciting battle

Mar 15, 2011 Sports

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Junglo Brunswick

By Franklin Wilson

On a swampy Mackenzie Sports Club field due to persistent rainfall, Suriname’s Intermoengatope, which had initial concerns of playing on the surface, squeezed in an 88th minute goal to beat the host team in the first game of their home and away tie in the 2011 Caribbean Football Union Club Champions Cup on Sunday night.
Many football fans said that they have never seen the MSC in such a state, with water lodged on many areas of the surface yet the ground itself remained hard.
Milerock on debut in this competition matched their more experienced counterparts for almost the entire 90 minutes and as most top teams would do when their opponent’s lapse in critical moments, Intermoengatope nailed their rivals at the death.
Substitute Junglo Brunswick leapt above the Milerock defence to head home a corner at the near post with a mere two minutes to go before full time; the goal had a dagger like effect on the Milerock players who had their fair share of opportunities in what turned out to be an exciting clash despite the heavy conditions.
Openings were created by both sides in the area but due to the heavy state of the field the ball ended up dead on quite a few occasions much to the delight of the respective defenders and goalkeepers.
Veteran forward Collie ‘Hitman’ Hercules, who had some challenges with cramps just before game time, had an outstanding game for the home team, showing flashes of brilliance throughout the encounter.
The National Under-20 Coach, who is also doubling up as an Assistant Coach with Milerock in this competition, scored in the 31st minute but the goal was deemed to be offside much to the disappointment of the players and vociferous crowd. Given the state of the field, Intermoengatope employed the big ball from the first whistle as they sought to keep the ball deep in their opponents half. While Milerock also went that route, they were also able to use a number of short passes whenever the ball was on dry ground which facilitated such plays.
Referee Lee Davis of Trinidad and Tobago did an excellent job in controlling the game which saw more body contact than usual due to the state of the field.
First half exchanges were even with the visitors showing more aggressive intent in the final 45 minutes, making early substitutions in order to maintain an effective attacking mode given the fact that conditions made it more demanding on the legs of the players as well as they mental ability to remain focused.
The Suriname side came very close to taking the lead in the 58th minute but yet again, the ball was stopped in its tracks which enabled goalkeeper Derrick Carter enough time to scoop it up, averting any danger.
As the time elapsed, Milerock again created another chance with four minutes to full time. Hercules it was who again was the main orchestrator, easing into the box but was not able to let off a good shot. Luckily, the Intermoengatope were able to scramble the ball following a goal mouth scrimmage, effectively that was the last chance Milerock had.
Soon after, their opponents won a corner and just when it seemed like the game was headed to a tame draw, Junglo Brunswick leapt into the air to connect to guide the ball into the back of the nets at the near post which was not being manned at the time. Intermoengatope 1 Milerock 0; that’s how it ended much to the delight of the Surinamese who will now fancy their chances of moving into the second round since they will enjoy home advantage for the return game slated for Saturday.
Head Coach of Intermoengatope Eduard Redjosentono praised his players for a fine job but was quick to point out that the conditions they played under was not conducive to good football.
“We had to play the long ball because you could not make good passes on the surface and that was not good for us since we play combination ball. We will play better in the return game in Suriname on Saturday.” Redjosentono also noted that Milerock played well in the circumstances also.
Brian Joseph, Head Coach of Milerock described the loss as a tough one on debut, pointing out that they played well up until the goal was scored in the 88th minute.
“I thought this was a game that we should have won since we dominated for long periods. But I believe that we’re going to bounce back. We will pick up from here, go to Suriname and definitely we will pull off a victory there.”
Commenting on what would have gone wrong resulting in the goal, Joseph said, “Just one player failed to mark until the ball went out of play, we spoke about it. We knew that they were going to be a threat in the air but the player just lapsed for a couple of seconds and that was it.”
Yesterday, the team held a discussion to review their performance in the game on Sunday night and will resume training today ahead of the return fixture on Saturday. The team will leave Guyana on Thursday.

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