NPFL Week 22 Match : Heartland FC long throw in destroyed us – Finidi George
Photo: Finidi George and Emmanuel Amuneke hugging themselves at Dan Ayiam Stadium
From Everest Ezihe, Owerri
Despite Christian Molokwu, 63 minutes world class bicycle kick goal and Joel Okoro, 74 minutes artistry grounder goal that gave Heartland Football Club of Owerri, 2-0 advantage over the visiting team, Rivers United FC, Port Harcourt in the week 22 Nigeria Premier Football league, NPFL, Finidi George, the tactician of Rivers United FC attributed his team’s defeat to the hosting team long throwing ballistic tactics.
George revealed this on Sunday at Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri during post match media interaction with Sports Journalists.
“The game was a hard fought battle in the first half which also continued in the second half. We knew what they wanted to do but we tried stopping it at the first half with their long throws but we’re quite unfortunate Molokwu’s bicycle kick goal was a tonic as the boys made frantic efforts to cancel the goal,unfortunately there was another goal done with a world class grounder.
“At this point I have the feelings that the match is over, however you have to give Heartland credit for what they did to earn the win. It really worked for them and we have to congratulate them for winning.
“We have to go back and plan for our next game. The game was highly physical. Heartland long throw is the weapon that destroyed us” he confessed.
However, for Emmanuel Amuneke who was age long Eagles team mate of Finidi George but now the Chief Coach/Technical Adviser of Heartland FC, expressed gratitude for the game noting the essential thing for them is to continue to pick points.
Amuneke pointed out that, “Rivers United is a very tough team even as they are on the verge of topping the Premier league.
“Our game plan is to frustrate their game plans by not allowing them to play. We know the quality of players that made up the team and we know, Finidi George is a tactical coach that likes his players to play but we prevented them from exhibiting such skills and this helped us to frustrate their game the more.
He agreed that his team has the strength of throwing long throw in and they maximized same efficiently and effectively.
” Most games are not won through open play but strategies and paces, often we explore such qualities like long throw. The game of coaching is a journey but am not in the business to convince or promise any body, all I do is harnessing my strengths and opportunities based on the opponent.
Speaking for his next match with Katsina United FC, “in football you don’t make concrete promise but one thing that’s certain, is that we will continue to work hard and see how we can improve our team.
“When we started the league, nobody believed what we’re doing, but one thing I know is that we are constantly under challenges and pressure, which we have been atoned to. We’re a team that constantly telling ourselves that it’s achievable.
“We are a team that constantly tells ourselves that if we do what is required, we can always achieve the success that we are been looked up to.
“We’re young team, and that’s very understandable. We are committed towards the stability of the club and very futuristic.
“Over the years, this club has gone a lot of challenges and if we don’t treat those issues,we will continue to make the same mistakes, that is the direction we are going.
“Am not expecting my players to be 100%, like I used to emphasize, that every human being is different in terms of adaptation. Am aware some players adapts quick while some will adapt slowly, so we are calm and focused on the journey” Amuneke insisted.
