Everyone expected it to be a sunny Sunday morning, but the day started with some pretty heavy rain. It looked like the rain would prevent D2 from playing a friendly match with UNMIN (United Nations Mission in Nepal). But strong desire and passion for football prevailed over the treacherous weather condition. D2 were supposed to have a strong starting line-up with wonderful players on the substitution list. However, because of the weather condition only 11 players were available for D2.

But strong desire and passion for football prevailed over the treacherous weather condition.

Though it was raining the players reached the ground by 8:00am. Roshan (D2) forgot to bring his football boot so we had to wait for another 15 minutes till we could provide him proper shoes. Finally all the players were ready and the game started at 8:30am. It was decided before the game that there will be unlimited substitution but because D2 had only 11 players it meant no substitution for them whereas UNMIIN had few players on the bench and they made sure they utilized their subs during their game.

It was a friendly match and the winning team was supposed to receive a breakfast feast from the other team.

It was a friendly match and the winning team was supposed to receive a breakfast feast from the other team. With breakfast in mind both the team played some attacking football. The game was evenly poised as both the team tried to take an early lead. However, Prashanta (D2) managed to sneak a goal past Oscar Perez-Figueroa (GK, UNMIN) as the ball danced amid a host of players in the D-Box area of UNMIN in the early moment of the game. Midway through first half Hitesh took the ball from the right side and drove towards the top left corner as D2 extended their lead to make it 2-0. Shortly after that D2 won a free-kick near the D-Box, Roshan (D2) made a brilliant attempt to curl the ball on the top-left corner but his attempt was wide as D2 was again agonizingly close to extending their lead. Meanwhile, UNMIN made some brilliant moves from their right side, Claudio being the key architect. He proved to be a constant threat as D2 tried everything to stop him and his teammates to cut the lead. In doing so, UNMIN conceded a free kick on the left side near the D-Box area. Pratik (D2) stepped up to take the free kick. He drove a powerful drive that penetrated the wall of UNMIN as it flew straight towards the left of the goal post. The score line was D2 3 – 0 UNMIN. UNMIN made some brilliant moves but were unable to finish their moves.

Shortly after that D2 won a free-kick near the D-Box, Roshan (D2) made a brilliant attempt to curl the ball on the top-left corner but…

Second half started in similar manner but with the introduction of Steven Nyanti things began to change as this veteran made life difficult for D2 defense with his dribbling skills. He showed some brilliant dribbling skill that left the D2 defense at sixes and sevens. With the strong physical presence of Emmanuel Kapoi and Elgaili Zayid, UNMIN pressed forward to score goals. Eventually they were rewarded with a goal as Steven Nyanti tapped in a low cross from the right. It was a well deserved goal. In the late minutes Manik (D2) moved in as left defense to strengthen things at back. Up front Roshan and Bhuwan tried to score goals but the strong defense of UNMIN prevented them in doing so. Pratik made few surges down the right flank but UNMIN defense cancelled out the attack of D2. UNMIN pressed D2 mostly from their left flank with Steven and Srijan being the key figures.

Finally the referee blew the whistle to signal the end of a grueling and exciting game. It ended 3-1 and everyone looked tired but everyone enjoyed the game. Nevertheless, as someone said “It rained but it’s worth the pain”.

Overall it was a wonderful match. UNMIN players looked a bit rusty and with few training sessions they’ll be a formidable team. Oscar (GK) was wonderful with the gloves as he made some brilliant saves to deny D2 to extend their lead. He truly impressed everyone with his skill. Gabriel, Emmanuel and Elgaili were pretty solid in the middle. Clovis, Joseph and Fulgence proved their position at the back ably supported by Munish. Steven was probably the star of the match as he made life difficult for D2 and Srijan supported him pretty well. Claudio made some brilliant moves down the right flank and Cassio made some brilliant run up front but both were unlucky not to have scored.

Both the team agreed to play again in near future and UNMIN must be ready to get back on D2 next time.

Match Statistics:
Friendly Football Match: May 03, 2009

D2HawkeyeServices      3-1       UNMIN

Prashanta Shrestha (17′)                                 

Hitesh Karki (23′)                                     

Pratik Joshi (30′)                                     

=================Half Time 3-0==================

                                            Steven Nyanti (52′)

================Final Score 3-1==================

Lineup:
D2HawkeyeServices: Prashanta Shrestha(C), Hitesh Karki, Manik Madhikermi, Pratik Joshi, Bijay Karki, Roshan Gyawali, Tejaswi Rana, Milan Goethe, Bhuwan Gautam, Pragya Ratna Bajracharya, Amendra Shrestha (GK)

UNMIN : George Wah Taplah (C), Stephen Nyanti, Shrijan Pradhan, Mingma Sherpa, Oscar Perez-Figueroa, ARUN, MUNISH, Gabriel Alexandru, Emmanuel Kopoi, Elgaili Zayid, Guedje Dontsop Clovis Constant, Joseph Karnwhine, Claudio A.X. Dos Reis Magno, Cassio Coutinho, Fulgence Hatungimana, Geetanjali Rai(Team Manager)

Match Report By: Pratik Joshi

L to R (Standing): Milan Goethe, Manik Madhikermi, Tejaswi Rana, Bhuwan Gautam, Bijay Karki, Roshan Gyawali, Pragya Ratna Bajracharya
L to R (Sitting): Prashanta Shrestha, Amendra Shrestha, Pratik Joshi, Hitesh Karki

L to R- Stephen Nyanti, Shrijan Pradhan, Mingma Sherpa, Oscar Perez-Figueroa, ARUN, MUNISH, Gabriel Alexandru, Emmanuel Kopoi, Elgaili Zayid, Guedje Dontsop Clovis Constant, Joseph Karnwhine, Geetanjali Rai(Team Manager)
L to R (below)- Claudio A.X. Dos Reis Magno, Cassio Coutinho, George Wah Taplah, Fulgence Hatungimana