Arrows on target

The first edition of the Battle of the Coast produced three action-packed soccer matches for football lovers at the coast.

In the main match of the day, coastal Premier League giants Eleven Arrows defeated Blue Waters 7-6 in a penalty shootout. The match was decided via a sudden-death shootout, with all penalty takers hitting the back of the net after a 1-1 draw between the two teams at the end of the full game.

Eleven Arrows walked away with bragging rights, N$10 000 as well as the Battle of the Coast trophy. Eleven Arrows midfielder Jonas Sakaria was named player of the match.

Happy result

Capricorn Eleven Arrows striker Martin Shimaneni send a well-directed header past the Blue Waters goalie Calvin Spiegel and his defenders for the first goal of the match. Shimaneni connected perfectly with an incoming cross and his header found the back of the net early in the first half.

This served as a wake-up call for Blue Waters. The ‘Beautiful Birds’ launched a number of attacks and eventually levelled the score. Winger Prins Tjiueza let loose with a rocket of a shot which caught the Arrows keeper Mate Jhuhikika off guard and had him gasping for air, just before the end of the first half.

Both teams upped the pace in search of the winning goal during the second half. Neither of the two teams managed to break the deadlock which resulted in the match having to be decided via a penalty shootout.

Captain of the Eleven Arrows, Johannes Matanga, said his team lacked focus in the middle of the park.

"It was a good game. We had little time to prepare. Most of the guys are unfit, but we tried and we fought. We are happy and if the league has to start, we are definitely ready for it."

In other matches

In the first match, which involved two second-division outfits, Blue Birds defeated Young Eleven by 3-1.

Striker Kleopas Endjala, centre-back Tobias Uushona, and winger Willyson Nghishinawa scored for Blue Birds.

Striker Samuel Gamgoaseb scored for Young Eleven. Blue Birds pocketed N$5 000 and a floating trophy.

Blue Boys Football Club defeated Western Spurs 2-1 in the second match on the day. Winger Thomas Matues and right back Nakala Hundsdoorfer scored for Blue Boys. Winger Carlos Goseb replied for Western Spurs. The winners pocketed N$7 000, as well as a floating trophy.

Blue Boys' striker Thomas Andreas was named man of the match.

For the love of the game

A group of coastal soccer fanatics joined forces and came up with the Battle of the Coast soccer tournament concept.

Battle of the Coast organising committee chairman, Robert Shimooshili, explained that the first tournament, with six coastal teams competing, served the purpose of activating football and bringing the "beautiful game" closer to the people in the region.

"Our next tournament will be held in Swakopmund. We will host the event at different towns within the coastal area. We want football lovers to come in numbers, in support of their favourite clubs and to enjoy their favourite sport."

Participating players welcomed the opportunity to play competitive soccer again. "We have been inactive for months, that's why we as players are grateful to the organising committee for coming up with this idea. We pray and hope that more opportunities like this come our way, so that we can remain active."

Blue Waters coach Lucky Shipanga used the opportunity to deploy some of his new signings and to experiment with formations.