It's a Netflix material! Player's theatrical goal → EPL promotion has been confirmed... Sunderland has been filmed
It's a Netflix material! Player's theatrical goal → EPL promotion has been confirmed... Sunderland has been filmed
Blog Article
The dramatic drama at Wembley, the holy site of English football, was completed with a boy's last gift. Sunderland FC beat Sheffield United 2-1 in the final of the English Championship Playoff at Wembley Stadium on May 25 (Korea time) to confirm promotion to the Premier League for the first time in eight years.
The hero of the decisive moment was Tommy Watson (19). Ahead of his transfer to Brighton, he scored a theatrical goal at the fifth minute of extra time in the second half to give Sunderland the final gift. "The story I have been drawing has come true. I have imagined this situation for weeks, and it cannot be more perfect," Watson said after the match.온라인바카라
Sunderland's promotion is truly a miracle. After finishing 16th last year, the team immediately reached the Premier League threshold after recruiting an unknown French coach, Reggie Le Brie. Having started all four league games in August, Sunderland has never fallen below the top four throughout the season.
What is surprising about Sunderland's promotion is the team's young squad composition. The average age of the 11 starters who made it to Wembley finals was just 23. Except for captain Luke Onion (30), none of the players are over the age of 25, and Jove Bellingham (19) and Chris League (17) are still teenagers.
What's more surprising is Sunderland's experience in the Premier League. Throughout the entire team, he played in only 61 Premier League matches. On the other hand, his opponent Sheffield United had 294 matches of experience. However, Sunderland overcame his lack of experience through youthful spirit.
The game was never easy. Trailing by Tyreece Campbell's opening goal in the 25th minute, Sunderland remained underdog for most of the time. After receiving a fantastic pass from Gustavo Hamer, Campbell gave Sheffield United the first goal with a chip shot that turned over the goalkeeper.
Sheffield United made it 2-0 in the 34th minute with Harrison Burrows' goal. However, the goal was canceled due to offside after VAR review. It was determined that Vinicius Souza interfered with the goalkeeper's view from the offside position. The decision became a decisive moment to change the flow of the game.
Sunderland saved hope with Eliezer Mayenda's equaliser in the 76th minute. Mayenda, the 20-year-old striker who received a sophisticated pass from the substitute Patrick Roberts, hit the top of the net after one touch. Just like his opponent Campbell's goal, it was a combination of excellent passes and perfect finishes.
With the score tied at 1 to 1, the game seemed to be heading for extra time. However, Watson came forward at five minutes of extra time in the second half. Watson calmly fired a right footed shot from outside the penalty box after Kiefer Moore's mistake.
"I wanted to be a hero 100 percent," Watson said after the match. "I thought the story started to be written when I entered the bench." However, his smile reflected his disappointment. The Wembley final was his last match at Sunderland.
Watson signed a 10 million pound transfer contract with Brighton in April. "See you at the Premier League next season," he said, expressing his complicated feelings about leaving the club he had been involved with since childhood. It was the most valuable parting gift that the departing player left for his team.
A young player-centered rebuilding project promoted by 28-year-old young owner Kirill Louis-Dreyfus has finally paid off. "Everyone said they lacked experience, but we proved it didn't matter," Jov Bellingham said, expressing confidence, "Experience is what you get through failure, and we succeeded in the end."
Sunderland's promotion is not just a simple achievement but also a big part of the economy. With the promotion to the Premier League, Sunderland is guaranteed to earn at least 200 million pounds (350 billion won) in broadcasting fees over the next three years. The value of winning the playoff final, which was 57 million pounds 15 years ago, has jumped nearly tenfold in the meantime.
Sunderland, which was promoted eight years after being relegated from the Premier League in 2017, will now face all the big clubs in the Premier League, including the Tyne-Weir derby against Newcastle. Expectations are high on how those armed with youth and spirit will perform on the top stage. Even during the team's downturn, fans who shouted "Sunderland even after death" finally got a response.