The FA Cup Final
The Final of the oldest Football Competition in the World, the FA Cup was held at the iconic Wembley Stadium in London on a cool Saturday afternoon. Though it was London, the match was infact a Manchester Derby with two giant clubs from 200 kms away vying for domestic prestige.
A Manchester Derby
Manchester City already winners of the Premier League and favourites, were being challenged by their local rivals Manchester United who were looking to close out the season on a high after a respectable third position finish in the Premier League. There was a lot at stake, a close contest was expected. City were not going to have it easy from a tough United team, however, City had a Turk who was determined to drape Wembley in Blue.
A Brilliant Turk in Gundogan
Ilkay Gundogan, a German of Turkish origins, the captain of Manchester City, a footballer par excellence, did not waste any time and powered a volley from outside the box to the left of a hapless De Gea, United’s Goalkeeper . The time read just 13 seconds on the clock. A casual defence, a loose tackle from United, saw the ball lobbed perfectly for Gundogan who struck so exquisitely. City were ahead very very early.
A Grealish Error
United were pegged back by an extremely organised and incisive City midfield which kept the pressure on the United Goal, and though United did make some good moves, they still were generally defending in their own half. But then came a lucky break in the form of a handball from Jack Grealish. A penalty was awarded and United scored through their captain Bruno Fernandes, who ensured a cool conversion in the 33 rd minute. The rivals were on level terms at the break.
Gundogan Seals It
A Turkish delicacy was waiting to be served post half time. Without much ado, Gundogan struck another volley from outside the box, which travelled through a cluster of players into the goal, beating De Gea to his right this time. De Gea was blinded by the players in between and reacted too late. The volley was not that well struck but had great precision as it moved into the net. Gundogan had done it again.
Wembley Draped in White and Blue
Aware of United’s strike power and in particular Marcus Rashford, Manchester City tightened their defence and with an extremely organised midfield beautifully kept together by Gundogan, denied United. Their determination was nothing short of steely. The bodies were put on the line and the Blues ensured a famous victory for their team. Surely the Turk had played his part to a nicety. Manchester City were deserving winners. Wembley erupted in a sea of white and blue as City were awarded the FA Cup.
Indeed it was a double Turkish Delight which sealed the deal. Ilkay Gundogan in the form of his life made all the difference. What a player.
Red-White Love – Another Turkish Delight
Moving on from Wembley to Anfield, Liverpool where another Turkish delight in the form of a superbly engaging book “ Red White Love “ – The Love of Liverpool F.C., a fiction written by Dr Mustafa Donmez is creating ripples. The book is available on Amazon and is surely worth a read. Pls find below excerpts from the book.
“Sometimes a man adopts an ideal and works to realize that ideal for years. But when he reaches his goal, he realizes that the ideal is not so spectacular. Water doesn’t have a beauty like the mirage’s charming beauty. In other words, for someone who is dehydrated in a desert, the dream of water is magnificent, not the water itself. For years, Leo Jo
Red-White Love: The Love of Liverpool FC – Mustafa Donmez
dreamed of wearing a red-white jersey in front of a spectacular supporter community. Now he was wearing the jersey that embellished his dreams and he was hearing the cheers of the legendary Liverpool supporters. But, was that exactly what he dreamed about? When he goes to the pitch with a red-white jersey, would he bend his lips and ask
himself, “Did I live only to make this dream come true for years?”
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Featured Image / Ilkay Gundogan