Infosys Vs Wipro (2nd Semi-Finals)
Score: - 1-0 (Smitayan Nandy-Infosys)
For the first time in IT circuit the two semi finals was played in the afternoon at the range hill ground. The first semi's was won by Kanbay so Team Infosys knew beforehand that if they beat Wipro in their semis it would be the clash of the titans in the finals once more. Team Infosys started with their tried and trusted formation of 4-1-4-1. The game started in earnest with the Wipro mid-field holding the ball well and making team Infosys run around the field. A counter attack from Infosys saw Smitayan Nandy collide with the Wipro keeper while going in for a 50-50 ball. He was steam rolled to the ground by the humongous wipro keeper (Rajesh). Although the collision was hard, Nandy was back on his feet in a jiffy. It took a while for Team Infosys
to compose itself and come to terms with pitch as well as the opponents style of play , but once in the groove the chances started to come frequently.
In the first half, there were a few tense moments for team Infy, when a back pass was intercepted by a wipro player with an open passage to goal. The strike came instantly, but was blocked by Vikram Negi in a flash of brilliance. This was a wake up call for the team to which we responded well. Most attacks of Wipro came in from their left hand side, leaving Ajit and Vignesh to do some serious damage control. J… The first half ended with the
score at 0-0.
The second half saw the introduction of Irshad as a replacement for Vignesh at right back. The team looked rejuvenated in the second half with the moves
coming in and the attacks piling up the pressure on Wipro. The calm and composed defense passed the ball to the flanks well. The game was built from the flanks with Sushant making some tremendous moves into the opposition's penalty area. At the centre of mid field the trio of Sam, Sujoy and Vikram Negi controlled the game and took the battle to the opposition. A special mention for Smitayan Nandy who must have covered every inch of the ground giving
everything that he had. It was well rewarded when a through ball from Vikram to the right saw Smitayan beat two defenders with his speed and dribbling skills leaving him face to face with the keeper and for once he showed the composer to finish off the move in typical Smitayan style by a well executed nudge to the left bottom corner of the net. Team Infosys were deservingly ahead and the goal seemed to have triggered the team to play all attack.
Chances started to come in from all directions with Smitayan and Sujoy hitting the target instigating the Wipro Keeper to come up with some brilliant saves. The strike from Sujoy was
built up from the centre with Sam and Sushant being the constructors and Sujoy the executioner. He took a shot from D-top right across the goal, and it seemed destined to hit the back of the net but out of no where a hand from the wipro keeper made a brilliant save to keep the ball from finding the net.
Second half also saw chances been created by Sam and Sushant. Sushant came up with brilliant individual play when he cut pass three defenders from the left and found himself right in front of goal against the keeper but shot was a little to powerful and it went over the post. The Infy back 4 of Yogesh, Aabhi, Nirmal, Irshad (Vignesh/Mantri) were fabulous and didn't give any opportunity for Wipro to strike back. In the dying moments of the game Wipro were awarded a corner which was cleared by Infosys but a cross from the right found the Wipro captain at the far post with an open header. The keeper charged at him, leaving the goal empty but they were lucky that the header went inches over the goal. In the end Infosys won the match and deservingly so. A total team effort saw Infosys reach the finals to defend their title. Two deserving teams were up face to face in the Deccan finals once again.
FINALS: 06-July-08
Infosys Vs Kanbay (Capgemini)
Score: - 1-0 (Sujoy Datta-Infosys)
The finals saw the top two teams in the IT circuit come face to face once again to contest for yet another trophy. Infosys gave a guard of honour to their keeper (Devesh) before the match as it could have been his last match for Infosys Pune. The team was charged and were up for the most important game of the season so far. This was evident from the start with the one touch passing and simple total football exhibited by Team Infosys. There were a flurry of chances with Sujoy just missing the target, Sushant making a few of his trademark runs into the D. A corner from the right by Ajit saw a disorganized Capgemini defense fumble before managing to hold on to an on target header from Sam. The chances kept coming in as there were some simple but well effective one touch play between Yogesh, Sushant, Sam, Sujoy, Ajit and Vikram.
The central defenders Aabhi and Nirmal played a crucial role in keeping the Capgemini forwards at bay and frustrated the opposition with their composure. Irshad was very effective as a right back and was on his toes through out the game as most counter attacks from the opposition came in from the left. The opposition came close to scoring with their striker Valerine running across the midfield and defense to win a floated ball from the midfield. The Infy keeper charged in to make a save, but the shot was off target and the score remained 0-0. The end of the first 30 minutes saw Infy dominating the proceeding with maximum possession and high spirits.
The second half saw Mani come in for an injured Vikram Negi who showed great commitment to the team, playing the half after having injured himself in an accident. The bruised and bleeding defensive midfielder showed great courage and played hard ignoring the pain he was going through. The second half saw Mani playing more of a defensive role. Team Infy attacks continued from the left, right and center. A counter attack by Capgemini from the left found two forwards in the center of the D. The shot was fired low to the right of the keeper. It seemed that Capgemini would take the lead, but for a fabulous diving save from the keeper. The day seemed to belong to Devesh as he made quite a few fantastic saves to inspire and drive the team to a win.
The goal came out of the blue with 15 mins remaining and both sides gearing up for penalties. The Infy defense played well and set up a move from the left, with Yogesh passing the ball to Sushant, Sushant made a run, passed the ball to Sam. Sam crossed the ball from the left out towards the D. It appeared as though no one from the Infy team would be there to finish the move but then suddenly among 5 blue shirts, came in a yellow jersey bearing the number 15, flying with raised leg to poke the ball over the surprised Capgemini Keeper. The goal was spectacular and this stroke of brilliance from Sujoy Datta gave team Infy the lead. All hell broke loose on the field and the celebrations had begun. The team spirits were higher than ever. Vikram came in for Mani as Infy tried to defend the lead and soak up the pressure. Capgemini in a desperate bid to equalize saw their central defender Sameer Chauhan move up the field into the midfield. Sameer Sawant, the Infy mid fielder played an awesome game controlling the midfield and distributing the ball to the wings. Infy saw off the last 10 minutes of the game by holding the ball and frustrating the opposition. In a last desperate attempt to equalize, a ball into the D by Capgemin saw a header by their forward towards the right corner of the goal, but again the Infy Keeper stood his ground and made a good save to maintain the lead. A few more minutes of defensive football from Infy and then the final whistle went off.
WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS !.
The team was ecstatic, the tournament was won and the Champions defended their title. The Infy team formed a huddle and celebrations were quite extraordinary.
The Post match ceremony saw a lot of individual as well as team silverware shared among the Infy team. Sujoy Datta was awarded the player of the tournament, Smitayan Nandy, Vikram Negi and Sujoy Datta found a place in the Champions 11 team decided by the organizers. A winner trophy was awarded to all the players of the team.
Finally, silverware that we all were playing for was given to the Captains "Aabhi Jindal and Ajit Antony". The trophy was lifted by the team and the celebrations continued.
Special mentions should go to our Sir Alex – Swapnil Bachav for consistently coming to the matches & cheering us up.
Way to go Infy!!!! On behalf of the entire team I thank each for the splendid support throughout the tournament.
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