Gateway United FC of Ogun State this Sunday in Abeokuta lost in its quest at being crowned the 2019 Ogun state FA Cup champions after losing 3-2 on penalties to NLO side, Almaar FC of Ijebu Ode after a goalless regulation time, sports247.ng reports
Playing under the intense sun at the MKO Abiola Intl Stadium, Abeokuta, Gateway Utd started on the front foot and almost scored a scrappy goal as Almar struggled to clear the ball as early as the 10th minute.
Azeez Durojaiye blocked Almar’s forward from connecting with a pass from the edge of the box as Almar threatened on the counter.
On the half hour mark, dead ball specialist Okolo Michael’s freekick narrowly misses the target.
With five minutes before halftime, the best chance of the half fell to Kola Odunbaku whose shot went off the bar just inside the area.
Proceedings ended with scores deadlocked at the break.
The second half started just as the first ended with little or no chance for both teams but popped to life as Okolo Michael hit a 25 yard effort with less than 15mins to full-time but Almar goalie comfortably clawed the ball.
Both side resulted in keeping the ball and not pressing forward as the match went straight to penalties after over 90mins of football ended 0-0.
With penalties to decide the winner of the 2019 Ogun State FA Cup, first to take was Gateway Utd as Oluwole Johnson stepped up and scored, Kola Odunbaku also buried his kick while the trio of Ogunribide Seun, Fatai Bakare and Siaq Kabir saw their effort saved by the goalkeeper of Almar FC, Dauda Emmanuel.
Almar FC would however score all of their kicks and ended the match as champions of the 2019 Ogun State FA Cup with a 3-2 penalty shootout win.
Gateway United will regroup as they play their 2nd of 3games in a week when they host Nnewi United in Matchday 3 of the Nigeria National League, NNL at MKO Abiola Int’l stadium on Wednesday by 4pm. Says Moses Ojewunmi, Media Officer Gateway United
