In a gripping tournament match held at the Uyo venue on 3rd October 2024, Vtoons Football Club and Oasis United Football Club battled to a dramatic 2-2 draw. The match, which kicked off at 3:00 pm, showcased a rollercoaster of emotions, with both teams displaying resilience and determination throughout the 90 minutes plus added time.
Vtoons adopted a 4-1-2-3 formation, which allowed them to maintain a solid defensive structure while also providing width in attack. Marvelous Gk took his place in goal, shielded by a back four comprising Samuel Bassey on the right, Isaac Joshua on the left, and the central defensive duo of Ubong Daniel and Christian Andrew. Precious Usen operated as the lone central midfielder, tasked with linking defence and attack. Ahead of him, Joesph Eberechi and Ukeme Obong occupied the right and left attacking midfield roles respectively, while Prince Nse, Jeremiah Robinson, and Edidiong John formed a potent forward line.
The substitutes for Vtoons included meshack hogan, Ab Kasa, and Emediong ntuen, who would later play crucial roles in the match.
The first half saw both teams probing for openings, but it was Vtoons' Marvelous Gk who made a notable contribution by catching a cross in the 25th minute, showcasing his composure under pressure. As the half progressed, both sides remained locked in a tactical battle, leading to a goalless stalemate at the interval.
The second half began with Vtoons looking to assert their dominance. However, the match took a turn in the 57th minute when meshack hogan replaced Prince Nse, adding fresh legs to the attack. Shortly after, Ab Kasa came on for Christian Andrew in the 67th minute, as Vtoons sought to bolster their defensive line.
In the 68th minute, Ukeme Obong made a significant attempt to break the deadlock, but the effort did not find the back of the net. The tide shifted dramatically in the 71st minute when Oasis United was awarded a penalty, which they converted to take a 1-0 lead.
Vtoons' defensive woes continued as Ubong Daniel made a critical misjudgement in the 76th minute, which led to another goal for Oasis United just five minutes later, extending their lead to 2-0. The situation appeared dire for Vtoons, but they rallied back with determination.
In the 81st minute, Jeremiah Robinson stepped up to take a penalty for Vtoons, successfully converting it to narrow the deficit to 2-1. The momentum shifted, and Vtoons pressed for an equaliser, with Samuel Bassey making a late attempt in the 88th minute that was saved by the Oasis United goalkeeper.
As the match entered injury time, Vtoons found a glimmer of hope. In the 96th minute, Isaac Joshua scored from a set piece, bringing the score to 2-2 and ensuring that Vtoons salvaged a point from a challenging encounter.
The match concluded with both teams sharing the spoils, leaving fans on the edge of their seats and highlighting the competitive spirit of the tournament. Isaac Joshua's late goal not only secured a vital point for Vtoons but also earned him the accolade of Player of the Match for his impactful performance.
