Juventus FC on Wednesday defeated Maccassa FC by 5-4 on post-match penalty shootouts to secure a place in the semifinal stage of the ongoing Serrekunda East Sports Development Organisation (SESDO) Knockout competition.
This followed their 1-1 draw on regulation time in the quarterfinal encounter played at the Serrekunda East Mini-stadium.
Skipper Buba Sanyang put Juventus FC ahead in the 19th minute of the game from a brilliant shot while Omar Saho levelled the score for Maccassa in the 1st minute of the second half from a sensible strike thus the game ended 1-1 resulting in post-match penalty kicks which ended 5-4 in favour of Juventus FC.
Speaking to Pointsport shortly after the game, Ousman Jallow, head coach of Juventus FC, said he was very much happy with the win, describing it as his happiest moment, saying his boys made him proud.
“I told the boys that any game we win from here is a bonus and as it stands now we have nothing to lose,” he stated, adding that they made a mistake during the league competition, which is what they want to rectify in the knockout trophy.
“My team comprises young players and most of them this is their first year playing in the nawettan,” he remarked, adding that when pressure is on them “it is always a problem” playing well.
“During the start of the nawettan I made a promise that we will enter finals this year and that will happen,” he said, adding that this was their headache but they have passed it now and would clear anything that would come their way.
He also urged the fans to be patient, saying: “This is football and that the fans are always under pressure but that they have to be patient and give the team the necessary support they need.
“It is not easy when you are inside the field but when you are outside you see a lot of mistakes.”
Modou Lamin Trawally, head coach of Maccassa FC, said they prepared well for the game but that “penalty kicks is luck”. He added that his boys played well during the game.
It is all over for them, he also said, adding that they would now prepare for next year and finally thanked the fans of the team for their support.
Buba Sanyang, captain for Juventus, said he was delighted with the win because they have not done well during the league competition and that their aim now “is to concentrate on the knockout competition”.
He added that, the team is made up of young players but that they are working very hard to improve themselves, saying this is what has convinced him as an experienced player to be part of the team to give the young players the support they need so that they could reach the level he has reached.
