Gbenga Ogunbote, head coach of Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan, expressed his relief after his team secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Heartland FC of Owerri on Sunday. Speaking after the match, Ogunbote emphasized the significance of the win, especially after a tough start to the season. The victory was made possible by Samuel Ayanrinde's well-timed strike, which ultimately sealed the much-needed three points for the Oluyole Warriors.
Ogunbote acknowledged the difficulty of the match, praising his team's ability to handle the pressure and grind out a result. He admitted that the team had been under some strain after failing to secure a win in their first two matches. "This win, no matter how it comes, is a big relief for the team," Ogunbote said, highlighting the importance of the victory for the morale of both the players and coaching staff.
Reflecting on the match's dynamics, Ogunbote pointed out that his team started strongly, dominating the first half with confidence and energy. However, after taking the lead through Ayanrinde's goal, the team's performance began to dip. "We started very well at the beginning of that game, but immediately after that goal, the synergy wasn't there anymore, some of the players switched off somehow," Ogunbote explained.
One of the reasons for the team's diminished performance in the second half, according to Ogunbote, was the caution displayed by two of his defenders, who were already on yellow cards. "At a point in time, two of our defenders were already on cards, so they were playing with lots of caution; the confidence to mark and play wasn't there any longer," he said. This caution affected the team's defensive stability, making it harder for them to maintain control of the game.
Despite the challenges faced, Ogunbote remains optimistic about the future. He believes that this victory will boost the team's confidence and help them build momentum for upcoming matches. The relief of finally securing a win has eased some of the pressure on the team, allowing them to refocus on their goals for the season.
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