A Point to Build On: Millennium Stars Kicks Off DTR Tournament with Encouraging Draw

In what was a match of the STARS as Royal Stars FC host Millennium Stars FA on a sunny Tuesday evening at the December to Remember 7-aside tournament organized Mr. Paul Arinze of Paul FC, the game kicked off by 16:00pm at the ABU-ATO Field, Koka, Asaba. Millennium Stars started proceedings playing from left to right on their Traditional Red on Black Jersey on black hose while Royal Stars were in all black Jersey. 

MSFA Starting VII : Terrence; John, Emmanuel, Michael; Chinonso, Destiny, Chisom; Ikenna

The game started with both team sizing each other up, the first real opportunity of the game came around the 8th minute from a Royals counter attack but the millennium Stars defense were alert to sniff out danger. Millennium Stars took control of the game from that point, setting up attacks after attacks and eventually got their breakthrough, around the 18th minute. Royal Stars had a corner, crossed into the MSFA box where Chidozie Michael was in hand to nod the ball out and the clearance turned to an instant counter attack for Millennium Stars, Destiny Samson got the ball, managed to beat his marker and on the run into the opponent box, he sends the ball to the in running Ikenna Okonkwo Ikenye who balanced the ball on his left foot before sending a power shot into the roof of the net to give Millennium Stars the lead. Just before half time Millennium Stars taught they had double their lead, Chidozie Michael from his half sent a cross to find Chisom Ibegbunam who was unmarked in the Royals box, but Chisom couldn't direct his header goal-ward.

The second half started with Royal Stars starting proceedings, both side going at it as Millennium Stars was looking to double their lead, Royals were looking for a way back into the game. From a free-kick the Royal Stars Attacker caught the Millennium Stars Goal-keeper off his line, sending a perfect lob over his head to bring Royal Stars back into the game. Millennium Stars with an opportunity to take all 3point late in the game, Chisom setting up Ikenna though on goal, the striker hustled his was into the opponent box before firing into the side net. The referee sounded the whistle and both side would have to share one point.

This is Millennium Stars FA first match at the ongoing December to Remember 7-aside tournament, with five more games to go. Millennium Coach Moses spoke to press "The players gave a good account of themselves as it was only our first match, we are hoping to grow as the tournament progresses. We could have gotten all three point today but it wasn't to be, we would learn from our mistakes and be ready for the next game." The team Captain John Egesi speaking to press "it was a nice game today, The way we played today was good, our dedication team spirit and passion made all the difference today, everything was noticed and appreciated, we did very well even though the game ended in a draw. Let’s focus on the next match we have and Let’s continue to work together and support each other." With the draw it means Millennium Stars sits in 3rd place with one point in group A.

Millennium Stars next game at the December to Remember would be against BRAVEHEART on Thursday 5th December 2024 by 16:00pm at the ABU-ATO Field, Koka, Asaba.

PLAYERS RATING:

TERRENCE (GK) - 4.5/10

MICHAEL (CB) - 6.8/10

JOHN (CB) - 6.8/10

EMMANUEL (CB) - 6.8/10

CHINONSO (MF) - 6.9/10

DESTINY (MF) - 6.9/10

CHISOM (MF) - 6.8/10

IKENNA (ST) - 7.5/10

 

SUBSTITUDES:

IFECHUKWUDI (ST) - 6.5/10

CHARLES  (AM) - 6.7/10

DESTINY (RWF) - 6.5/10

CHINEDU (AM) - N/A

GODSWILL (LB) - N/A