FC
NoeNoe came into this game riding high on confidence
after two wins from two, while Tulip Sniffers
FC were still looking to get off the mark. That
said, Tulip Sniffers had been more competitive
than their record suggested, having lost both
their previous matches by narrow 2-1 margins.
This was always going to be a tough assignment
against an FC NoeNoe side looking increasingly
like one of the teams to beat in Group B.
Despite
the form guide, Tulip Sniffers FC started brightly
and gave a good account of themselves. They
were compact at the back and energetic in midfield,
making life difficult for their in-form opponents.
However, before the break, FC NoeNoe found the
breakthrough they needed. Shakir Latifi, one
of their standout performers so far, continued
his impressive run with the opening goal – giving
his side a slender 1-0 half-time lead.
After
the restart, FC NoeNoe began to shift up the
gears, and it quickly became the Shakir Latifi
show. He doubled the advantage with a well-taken
second, showing composure and sharp finishing.
With Tulip Sniffers beginning to tire and space
opening up, Latifi completed his hat-trick and
sealed a convincing 3-0 win.
The
result kept FC NoeNoe's 100% record intact and
strengthened their grip on a Cup qualification
spot. With three wins from three and just one
goal conceded, their tournament credentials
were growing with each performance. For Tulip
Sniffers FC, it was another defeat but again
not without positives — their effort and attitude
remained strong, and their hopes of a Plate
qualification spot were still alive heading
into the final rounds.
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