HEARTLAND QUEENS WIN BACK AT HOME, OVERCOMING NAIJA RATEL IN NWFL clash

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BY KINGSLEY UZOWULU

Heartland Queens defeated Naija RATEL 2-0 in matchday 13 of the NWFL at Dan Anyiam Stadium Owerri yesterday.

Before the match, the Owerri land girls were given a bye while the Abuja girls were defeated 5-0 by league leaders and former champions Bayelsa.

In the first leg the two teams had drawn 2-2.

Heartland Queens, determined to win their home match after losing to Edo Queens in Owerri in their last matches, got their first feel of the ball when the team kicked off at 4pm against Chidiebere Opara in the No. 7.

The Queens dominated the game, taking possession of the ball and making frantic efforts and attempts towards the visitors’ goal area.

A few moments later, in the 24th minute. Faith Samson converted a penalty awarded against Naija Ratel into a goal as the defense brought down an angry home team player in their own penalty area.

The visitors returned to the game after conceding a goal to dictate play with occasional attacks in the opposition’s goal area, but their efforts were not strong enough to push the Queen of the Heart’s defense into submission.

The home team also refused to give in and continued to invade the visitors’ vital area until the 33rd minute when Umujiaku Oluebube nodded home a cross for the queens of the heart’s second goal.

All the efforts made by the Abuja girls to at least reduce the score line were nullified by the home team’s defense before the referee declared the end of the first half.

Naija Ratel kicked off the match for the start of the second period and clearly showed that they were determined to upset the home team in front of their fans but their actions were short-lived as the Owerri land girls regained possession with good ball distribution making the ball even more difficult for the visitors to play.

The home team created a number of opportunities and also had a catalog of errors in front of goal, especially through their best striker Umejiaku Oluebube.

The match became a ding dong affair as the two teams refused to separate at half time and it continued that way until the referee signaled the end of what can only be described as a thrilling encounter.

Heartland Queens are sixth in the table with 11 points before the match, while the visitors are last.
The home team will remain at home to welcome the new pace queens for NWFL Week 14 matches.

Scores F/T: Heartland Queens 2 vs 0 Naija RATEL.