Quality FC virtually sealed the the Futsal Namibia Men’s Premier League title after playing to a 4-4 draw against archrivals Patriots FC on Saturday.
The result leaves Quality five points clear of defending champions Patriots at the top of the log and just one win away from winning the league title for the first time.
In a hectic match of all-out action, Quality took an early lead when Eddie Solunga scored from an Antonio Williams across into the box.
Patriots fought back and equalised when Silas Matheus scored with a freekick from the edge of the box, and when Greg Cloete scored after a quick counter attack they went 2-1 ahead.
Quality immediately struck back with a goal by Celcio Roberto, but Patriots regained the lead when Quality goalkeeper Alpha Sankoh couldn’t save a shot by Cloete which squirmed through his hands into the net.
Quality came back and once again equalised when they won a penalty for handball just before halftime and Roberto scored from the spot to make it 3-3.
There was drama early in the second half when Sebastiao Borges scored for Quality after the whistle went for an infringement, but after initially awarding the goal, the referee eventually overturned his decision after a lot of remonstrations from Patriots’ players.
Patriots went 4-3 ahead when Cloete sent in a sharp cross that Solunga deflected into his own net, but Quality once again drew level when Roberto completed his hattrick with a cracking shot.
Patriots pushed hard in the closing stages, with Cloete having a shot cleared off the line, but Quality managed to hold on for the draw which has now put them in the driving seat to win the title.
Quality captain Solunga said it was an intense match.
“It was a very tough game as we expected it to be, because there’s a bit of a rivalry between us. It’s always intense and they always bring their A game against us – we did the same and the game was very tight,” he said.
Solunga downplayed critiscism of the referees’ decisions, saying it affected both teams equally.
“It’s a narrative that many are bringing in, it’s just a few players who keep on talking about the same stuff, but many decisions could have gone either way. There were penalties and fouls that we didnt get and they maybe didnt get a foul or two, so it’s just part of the game and everybody might feel a bit unfavoured.”
Patriots captain Greyeno Rusberg concurred.
“I can agree with Eddie there, it was an intense game and it was expected because it’s always a big clash between the top two teams in the league. Regarding the match, I’d say it’s dropped points for us. I believe we could have taken the game, we had it under control, but we allowed Quality to come back into the game. It’s always a heated game betweenus, but I think the referees tried their best to control it as best as possible,” he said.
“But now the league is in Quality’s hands – if they win their next game they will win the title,” he added.
