The University of East London futsal 2nd team’s cup dream ended after a 2-11 defeat in the quarter final of the South Eastern Conference Cup against the Queen Mary University 1st team.
The cup match was at the same time as the 1st team’s league game, which led to coach Trevor Tamatave being absent from the second team’s bench. However Robert Wheeler, the captain, took his place.
Wheeler was devasted about the result: “It was always going to be a tough game; it’s obviously never nice to be on the end of that scoreline. In the first half I thought we played some good stuff and we were probably the better team; just missed chances let us down.
“In the second half I am not really sure what happened to the lads I think certain individuals need to have look at their attitude, some things I saw today I don’t want to see. I thought that was a bit disappointing on their behalf and they need to have a look at themselves.”
Disappointing Performance
Queen Mary started the first 10 minutes of the game very strong and they took an early lead with two goals. Dan Grimes in goal for the Blues made some great saves to keep his team in the game. Depsite the scoreline UEL were playing some good futsal and creating chances. However, these chances failed to be converted. Unfortunately, in the last minute of the first half Queen Mary scored a third goal and went to half-time 3-1 up.
UEL started the second half brightly with Xavi Hernz and Jordan Moule putting in a spirited performance. But once again after three minutes the players of Queen Mary scored which put a dent in East London’s hopes. After conceding the fourth goal in the game the UEL players’ heads appeared to drop and switched off. The game finished 11-2 which booked Queen Mary a place in the semi-finals.
Two Games Left
UEL will now return to league action as they have two more games to play for the South Eastern 3B league. They take on London Metropolitan University 1st at home on the 11th of February and their last game is away on the 18th of February against Tottenham Hotspur Foundation 1st.
Wheeler added about the upcoming games “We definitely need to shore up at the back which Trevor and myself will look at in training. Our players need to start listening to us and performing on the field, what I saw today in the first half was very impressive but I am not sure what happened to them in the second half. But overall [I’m] very disappointed, we have to look at the next two league games and try to get some points from them.”
