By: Yusuf Rahmon 

The Masters’ Cup for the 200 level students of the Faculty of Technology continued last weekend, and Matchday 2 brought forth a cascade of surprises and excitement. While the SPE Lions of Petroleum Engineering maintained their brilliant run to secure a place in the semis, current defending champions, Wood Product Engineering were stunned by Civil Engineering and knocked out of the tournament. 

More drama unfolded in Group B as we will have to wait until Matchday 3 to find out who proceeds to the semis among the top three. One thing is however confirmed in the group, Food Technology is out of the tournament after suffering another embarrassing defeat at the hands of Industrial and Production Engineering. 

Let’s delve into the highlights and pivotal moments that defined Matchday 2.

Electrical and Electronics Engineering (EEE) Holds Agricultural And Environment Engineering (AEE) To A Goalless Draw 

In the opening match of the day, Electrical Engineering showcased pure brilliance to hold off pressure from the dominating Agricultural Engineering. It was not surprising that Agricultural Engineering outplayed their opponent from the first minute but it was quite a shocker that they could not get past the Electrical Engineering goalie. 

Eventually the match ended in a deadlock, as it just dragged on since neither of the teams could create any clear-cut chances.  As it stands, Electrical Engineering remains top of group B with 4 points and 5 goals ahead of Agricultural Engineering, who also have the same point. 

Petroleum Engineering Bosses Mechanical Engineering 

Petroleum Engineering showed class to record a well-deserved victory over Mechanical Engineering. From the moment the whistle was blown by the referee, the Petroleum Engineering players wasted no time putting their opponent under constant pressure and continuously directing the ball into Mechanical Engineering’s box. The pressure eventually paid off, as they forced an error from the Mechanical Engineering goalkeeper and took the lead. That was the second time Petroleum Engineering will be scoring from an error from the goalkeeper. 

Just five minutes after the first goal, Petroleum Engineering’s striker unleashed a blistering shot for the second goal. Despite Mechanical Engineering’s threatening attacks, they could not mitigate the damage. With this win, Petroleum Engineering retain their lead in the group with six points and have already booked a spot in the semi-finals. Meanwhile, Mechanical Engineering must secure a victory against Wood Production Engineering in their final group stage match to stand a chance of advancing to the semis.

Civil Engineering Kicks Out Wood Production Engineering 

The woes of Wood Production Engineering continued after suffering a heartbreaking defeat against Civil Engineering. In a match that turned out to be the biggest surprise of the day, Civil Engineering took the lead from the penalty spot thanks to Sultan’s composure. Knowing what was at stake, Wood Engineering mounted lots of pressure on the Civil Engineering’s defence, but could not break through the Great Wall of Civil’s Van Dijk (Sultan). 

Civil Engineering who hope to join Petroleum Engineering in the semis will proceed to face the latter in the last match of the group stage. On the other hand, Wood Engineering will look to get a consolation when they face Mechanical Engineering on Matchday 3. 

Industrial Production Engineering Downs Food Technology 

It could not get any worse for the helpless Food Technology players who ended the week with another basket of goals. After losing their opening match to Agricultural Engineering, Industrial Engineering would not have hoped for a better comeback, as they put five past Food Technology. This means that Food Technology has now conceded 11 goals from their two opening games. 

While it is certain that Food Technology is out of the tournament, Industrial Engineering hopes to cause an upset when they face Electrical Engineering to eam a spot in the semis. Industrial Engineering now sits third on the group B table with three points, while Food Technology trails behind at fourth place with zero points. 

All eyes are now focused on Matchday 3, the stage that will decide the teams advancing to join Petroleum Engineering in the semifinals.

So far, we have learnt that as the tournament progresses, one thing remains certain – the best is yet to come.