Dippakunda United, Harlem FC advance to round of sixteen in West Nawetan

Harlem FC have both advanced to the round of sixteen of the ongoing Serrekunda West Sports Organisation (SWESO) Nawetan competition.

Dippakunda United made it to the round of sixteen after beating Harlem FC by 2-1 in their week-five encounter of the West Nawetan played at its park on Saturday while Harlem FC already booked their place to the round of sixteen before the game against Dippakunda United.

The game was dominated and controlled by Harlem FC who created various goal-scoring chances during the game but could not capitalize on them.

Lamin Badjan opened the score-line for Dippakunda United in the 8th minute of the game from a classic bicycle kick giving his side a 1-nil lead at half time.

As action resumed in the second period of the game, Harlem FC continued their dominance and of the game thus their efforts paid off as early as the first minute of the second half when Buba Sumareh leveled the score-line for them from a sensible shot.

Fabakary Sambou and Yusupha Jallow both had golden opportunities to put Harlem FC ahead but failed to capitalize on the chances.

Modou Jatta sealed the victory for Dippakunda United in the 78th minute of the game from a powerful long range shot barely two minutes after his introduction, to guarantee his side a place in the round of sixteen.

Dippakunda United sailed to the round of sixteen after collecting eight points in five games while Harlem FC collected ten points to book their place in the round of sixteen.

Baboucarr Sallah, head coach of Harlem FC, speaking to reporters shortly after the game, said he never expected his side would loose looking at the wonderful performance they put up during the game “but that is football”.

“Sometimes you play well and the game goes your way and sometimes you play well and it goes the others’ way,” he said, adding that they have accepted it and would now look forward for the round of sixteen since they have qualified, “which is more important”.

“We will also blame our players for our defeat today because they were just knocking the ball around and not moving forward,” he said, adding that if they lose they would take courage because it is football and they have been winning.

“We did not underrate Dippakunda United though we came to win today,” he stated, saying this was what they put to the players.

“The beautiful football and results we delivered in our previous games are invalid now because the round of sixteen is a knockout and the moment you are beaten you are out of the competition,” he responded when asked how they wound prepare for the round of sixteen. They would prepare well for it, he replied saying: “The most important thing is concentration now.”

Alfu Fatty, head coach of Dippakunda United, said he feels great with the result because this was a must win game for them and that was why they came all out for the maximum points in the game.

He also said his team has really improved. In terms of goal-scoring they only scored two goals prior to their game against Harlem FC and that they would prepare very well for the round of sixteen.