Beyond Limits FA coach, Olumide Ajibolade, was left to rue the day his side bowed out of the Gothia Cup after a heartbreaking semi-final defeat to their Nigerian rivals, Sporting Lagos Academy.
Beyond Limits’ dream run at the Puma Trophy tournament came to an end in the semi-final stage, falling just short of the final after a thrilling 4-5 encounter with Sporting Lagos, Footballrover reports.
The loss, which ended the team’s impressive run in the tournament, clearly stung the coach, who didn’t fail to express his disappointment in a post-match interview
Speaking to myleaguewire.com following the heartbreak, coach Olumide voiced his concern with the kind of goals they gave up, blaming poor communication in his defensive line.
He admitted that he was upset with the defeat to the young Tech Boys.
“I was upset with the type of goals we conceded. It is unlike us. Maybe the occasion was affecting communication in the line of defence,” he said.
The coach explained that it’s not about numbers but communication, positioning, and mentality that mattered, adding that his side lacked some of these elements during those moments.
He stressed the need for improvement, especially in the line of defence for set pieces, because Sporting Lagos managed to score five goals in an almost similar fashion, and his boys couldn’t adapt to it.
“Last year we lost in the quarterfinals and this year in the semis; that’s progression. Hopefully, in future tournaments, they can bring all these lessons forward,” coach Olamide concluded.
Beyond Limits pickup the third place medal award at the competition.
Meanwhile, Sporting Lagos FA went on to win the Puma Cup trophy after crushing FC Tokyo of Japan 4-0 in the final of the 48th edition of the Gothia Cup in Gothenburg, Sweden.
Abdullahi Yusuf grabbed the opening goal before Babatunde Akomolede doubled the advantage, and then Lucky John’s brace compounded FC Tokyo misery.
In their first big competition, the team led by coach Shola Adegun scored 15 goals while only conceding four in seven games.
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