Hard-fighting Matthew Amadi FC narrowly lost by 2-1 after the centre referee disallowed what appeared to be a clear goal in their friendly encounter with the State Sports Commission team at the iconic Tetlow road Stadium Owerri.
The outcome of the game, which was affected by the poor state of the pitch saw the Ngor Okpala side take full control of the game from the beginning only to be denied at the line for the first goal of the game by water in a goal mouth scramble.
With the first half ending goalless, the two teams made some changes in the second half and the state team scored the first goal after the restart and held on till the controversial moment when the equalizer was disallowed after the goalkeeper was well beaten and the two defensive players behind the goal line were unable to stop the goal.
The game was halted for a while before the players came back and countinued the Ngor Okpala strong team got the equalizer at the tail end of the game from Nkwocha Noble effort after missing opportunity to record to score in the 65 minutes.
A defensive miss-up gave the team that will be traveling to Spain for an invitation tournament and coached by experienced Ramson Madu the winner.
The game was witnessed by the Sports Commissioner Hon Obinna Evarestus Onyeocha
and Chairman Imo State Sports Commission Hon Prince Sir Eleazar Onyewuchi Ogbonna.
The return leg of the encounter has been fixed for next week Thursday.
Speaking after the highly explosive encounter, players led by the Captain Eleanya Tochi promised to make up for the lost and thank Dr Matthew Amadi for the opportunity to showcase their skills to the world.
General Manager of the team, Mr Ekechi Kampala Augustine and Mr Junior Amadi said the Coach Kennedy Onwunali team will correct their mistake in their friendly game at home this Saturday and promised to return in full force for the return leg next week in Owerri.
