The past-times of the northern hemisphere puzzle me, in winter you play cricket; in summer you play football, (and ice hockey). So, it was on a sizzling hot Saturday afternoon in early May, where temperatures hit the lofty heights of 25 degrees Celsius that the first annual inter faculty football tournament took place. The squads from First, Second and Third Medical Schools of Charles University lined up at the sports centre Hostivar ready to battle.
1st v 2nd
With 2nd Fac kicking off, dressed in red, and 1st Fac, in white, both teams knocked the ball about with confidence. In a tournament where normal football times were changed to accommodate for the strength sapping temperatures to 45 minutes per match with unlimited rolling substitutes, 1st Fac began to exert some measure of control. Some clever and intricate passing saw 1st Fac cause 2nd Fac defence some concern. Steinn Thoroddsen Halldórsson, the tall rock in the heart of the 2nd Fac defence cleared up anything in the air and intercepted anything along the ground, doing exceptionally well to protect his keeper Aram Safarloo. Slowly but surely, 2nd Fac came into the game with midfielders Marcu Derigs and Ife Oskins linking up well with the offensive unit of the team.
With the score still at 0–0 1st Fac broke down the flank into 2nd Fac half and a late challenge on Dami O saw captain Karim Ghabra booked. Karim took himself off and Firas Raheman came on. As tempers started to flair the game began to get scrappy, a bit like the first goal. Firas broke to the 1st Fac right byline, after a neat one–two with Luka Mihic and sent a cross into the box. Confusion through the 1st Fac defence enabled Marcus to fumble the ball home. 1–0 to 2nd Fac. Sensing this new confidence 2nd Fac created more opportunities but 1st defence held firm. Midway through the game Marate picked up the ball deep into 1st Fac's half after a pass from Ife, and with his back to goal, spun round and easily glided past two 1st Fac defenders before stroking the ball into the top left corner; the keeper was helpless. 2–0 2nd Fac. With both teams playing with more fluency now, gaps were starting to open as 1st Fac pushed for a goal that could park their comeback. A mistake in the midfield allowed PJ to pick up the ball and lay a pass on to a darting run by the winger Ashkan who finished clinically. 2–1. Revitalised and envigoured, 1st Fac layed a siege on the 2nd Fac goal. Keeper Aram in top form pulling off a remarkable number of saves.
Then disaster struck. With only 5 minutes to play and 2nd Fac holding strong. Pedro Capelo lost possession in 1st Fac half and in a sweeping counter attack 1st Fac had moved the ball to the left flank then quickly back to the right flank, Ashkan put a beautiful ball into the box and Dami O, unmarked at the back post, made it 2–2. It should have been 3 soon after. An inswinging Ashkan corner met the head of Hassan Abu Baker and he skied it over the bar. A minute later it was 3–2 to1st Fac with Ashkan again finding space on the right flank, he delivered another sumptuous cross into the box and Dami O was there again to head home. The final whistle came. 3–2 to 1st Fac.
2nd v 3rd
Quick to forget the defensive horror show of the first match 2nd Fac were back in action. With the same line up that started the previous game. 3rd Fac got the ball rolling and how. Before the clock had hit one minute they had the ball in the back of the net as a slide rule pass allowed Panos to cut between two defenders and dink the ball past Aram. 1–0 3rd Fac. 2nd Fac were having to dig deep here, the temperature and humid conditions sapping the teams stamina. 2nd Fac just needed a bit of time on the ball. A lucky break came when Firas took a throwin 20 yards from 3rd Fac goal. He launched the ball into the box a la Rory DeLap. Luka in the mix swivelled and volleyed home. It was a peach of goal made from nothing. 1–1. They say lightening doesn't strike twice, but it did. 2nd Fac's second goal was almost a carbon copy of the first. Firas launched the ball in from the touch line and Luka popped up again to head home. 2–1. It's funny how a goal or two changes things. 2nd Fac were beginning to show their class. Marate jinked into the box and was fouled by a clumsy challenge, the penalty protests were waved away with the referee adjudging the defender to have made contact with the ball. Dubious to say the least. Again and again Marate, Ife and Marcus were at the heart of everything good. The 2nd Fac scoring was nicely capped off with a 20 yard free kick scored by Ife which nestled into the top left corner. However, 3rd Fac were not dead and buried just yet. A goal caused by some miscommunication at the back of defence meant that it was another nervy few minutes for the boys in red. They clung to their lead 3–2 2nd Fac.
1st v 3rd
These two teams played out a dull and drab affair which ended 1–1.
So, the 1st Faculty were crowned Inaugural Interfaculty Champions. 2nd Faculty played well considering they haven't been playing together as long as the champions of the tournament, but with a few more games under their belt and some more quality signings, this team could definitely challenge for major honours next term.
Chudree Udree
AIMS Sports Correspondent
