By: Yusuf Rahmon
A chapter of the prestigious Seals Cup has now been completed and while the dreams of 16 departments have shattered, the other 16 are left to battle it out for the trophy.
As expected, there were some twists on Matchday 3 as some top guns failed to secure their spots in the next round to the shock of the spectators.
Conversely, the smile never left the face of the remaining top teams who constantly reminded everyone of the quality inherent in them.
Matchday 3: As It Ended
Group A: Reigning Champion, Geography, Clashes Out With Petroleum Engineering
Last year’s champions Geography’s bid to defend their title came to an end after a shocking 2-0 loss to Edu. Management, who proceeded to the next round with seven points at the top of the Group A table.
Microbiology also secured a spot in the next round after holding Petroleum Engineering to a 1-1 draw in the opening match of Matchday 3.
Edu. Management will face Philosophy on Monday, 16th of October in the opening match of the Round of 16 while Microbiology will challenge the in-form MBBS later in the day.
Group B: MBBS and Philosophy Cruise To The Next Round
It was not surprising to see MBBS and Philosophy coming out on top of the Group B because of their reputations.
However, many expected the Adult Education team to put up a fight which they did but their best was not enough to keep them in the tournament. What was probably the biggest shock of the tournament was MBBS’ game against Mech. Engineering.
It took the men from ABH only six minutes to put four past the Tech boys, who crashed out with nothing (0 goal, 0 point) to show.
In the other game of the group, Philosophy defeated Adult Education 2-1 to keep their hope of winning the Seals Cup alive. Philosophy will face Edu. Management in their next game while MBBS hopes to avoid any upset from Microbiology.
Group C: Psychology and Sociology Qualify For The Next Round
Psychology maintained their perfect start to the SEALS Cup with a 1-0 win over Wood Products Engineering. The win ensured they qualify for the next round with the maximum 9 points at the top of the Group C.
In the other game, Sociology schooled Arabic & Islamic Studies to claim the second spot with a 3-0 win. Hence, WPE finished third with 3 points and AIS joined the list of teams without a win nor a point in the groupstage.
Both Psychology and Sociology have a mountain to surmount when they clash with Chemistry and IPE respectively.
Group D: IPE and Chemistry Proceed To The Next Round
Once again, Law failed to defend themselves and crashed out of the SEALS Cup after losing 1-0 to Group D leaders, IPE.
Meanwhile, Chemistry took no prisoners when they played Economics as they thrashed them 4-0. Economics exited the SEALS Cup without a goal or a point.
With their victories, IPE and Chemistry proceed to the next round as one of the favourites to win the Seals Cup and hope to secure victory against Sociology and Psychology respectively.
Group E: Physiology and Animal Science Eliminates Classics Architecture
Physiology maintained their brilliant form against Architecture to ensure the latter will only contribute in designing the match schedule for the rest of the tournament.
All Physiology needed was a lone goal to cap the woes of Architecture in this year’s SEALS Cup. Animal Science also proceeded to the next round with a 2-1 win over Classics in an intense match.
Both teams needed a win to qualify for the next round, and Animal Science eventually walked home with all three points and a spot in the Round of 16.
Physiology will battle it out with LARIS in their next game while Animal Science will have to be in their best when they take on Statistics on Tuesday.
Group F: Nursing and Geology Crash Out Of The Seals Cup
Statistics showed their quality in Group F, as they thrashed LARIS three goals to nil. Nonetheless, LARIS proceeded to the next round with six points and three points behind Statistics.
However, Nursing and Geology gave us the only goaless draw of the Matchday 3 as they both crashed out of the tournament.
Group G: Forestry Proceeds With Political Science
Although Political Science suffered a 1-0 loss against Forestry, it was not enough to kick them out of the tournament because they won their first two games. Therefore, Forestry topped the group with seven points from a possible nine and Political Science followed behind with six points, two points above Vet. Medicine whose 3-0 win over Elect. Elect. could not save from crashing out.
Forestry will face Computer Science in the Round of 16 while Political Science will seek a win over ASSE.
Group H: ASSE and Computer Science Complete The 16
Arts & Social Science Education and Computer Science completed the 16 teams for the Round of 16 after winning their last groupstage matches.
The scoreline was the same in the two games as ASSE recorded a 2-1 victory over Human Kinetics while Computer Science recorded the same against Public Health.
ASSE will proceed to challenge Political Science while Computer Science will take on Forestry in the Round of 16.
