By Mahbubat Kanyinsola Salahudeen
The department of Veterinary Medicine edged out History in a two goal thriller on Friday at the Old SUB Pitch.
The opening minutes were marked by end-to-end action with Vet testing the goalkeeper early on.
History’s No. 3 nearly opened the score line in the 7th minute after connecting with a well threaded pass from Thiago, but his shot hit the side netting.
History had another chance this time in the 12th minute when No. 9 headed a well-placed through ball from No. 3 but it went just over the bar.
However, against the run of play it was Vet who drew first blood in the 15th minute.
A defensive error in History’s area allowed Vet’s No. 9 to pounce on a loose pass and slot the ball under the goalkeeper’s arm, putting his side 1-0 up.
Vet thought they had doubled the lead in the 19th minute through a fine team effort between No. 9 and No. 7, but the goal was ruled out for offside.
Another free-kick opportunity in the 23rd minute for Vet saw the ball deflected off the wall, but History did well to clear their lines under pressure.
The second half resumed with increased intensity.
Just two minutes in, Vet won a corner kick and No. 7 rose highest to head in from No. 13’s delivery, doubling their advantage to 2-0.
The game took a turn in the 35th minute when History’s No. 10 landed headfirst after a heavy tackle and lost consciousness, prompting immediate medical attention.
He was later replaced by No. 12 in the 21st minute.
Despite their efforts, History couldn’t break through.
Their best chance came in the 45th minute when the skipper’s direct free kick rattled the crossbar.
Late in the game, a one-on-one opportunity for Vet’s No. 14 could have sealed the game emphatically, but his shot flew wide.
There was a break in the dying moments of the encounter following a collision between History’s No. 16 and the Vet goalkeeper requiring medical attention.
Vet held on to their two-goal lead, securing a deserved win as they sit atop group E Both teams will return to action next week as they look to capitalize on the coming matchs and secure slots in the next round of the tournament.
