Victor Torp, the forward for Coventry City, believed he had scored the game-winning goal in extra time of Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final at Wembley versus Manchester United. He was mistaken in his thinking since an offside in the build-up would nullify his goal.
Even though the goal didn’t really exist, everyone will remember it because United won the penalty shootout.
According to Torp, Coventry was on the verge of producing something “magical.”
“It’s a bit surreal to think about how close we were to creating something completely magical,” he said to Tipsbladet. I don’t think it’s really hit me yet how close we were to creating something truly monumental. I feel like we accomplished a great deal, but regrettably, the story did not have a happy ending.
“I was pressed for time to get warmed up. I’m told I have to go inside as I’m heading down to get my legs’ blood flowing. We were just behind 3-0, so I didn’t have time to consider beyond hoping I might provide some optimism and good vibes.
“I simply needed to enter, give it a shot, and play my game; after that, we’d have to see what transpired.” It proved to be a little more than anyone could have imagined. Playing for those few minutes was just completely crazy. I think I’m doing quite well for myself; I’ve hit a header and a few shots well, if a little too centrally. We go from 3-0 to 3-3 as a result of my attempt to enter and help with that, so everything works out very nicely.
Haji (Wright, ed.) gets pushed aside and crosses the ball. I step on it out of instinct and steer it into the far corner. Right now, I’m not aware that there might be an offside. Since I approached from the back rather than the side.
“You just let go of all the feelings you had in that game as I sprinted to the corner flag. I lie on my back with my arms and legs out to the sides, sliding on my knees. My calf cramps were caused by the body releasing go of all those emotions. The thrill and shudders… It was simply a liberation.
It’s not until a minute or so later that I realize there might have been an offside. There are a lot of United players gathered around the referee, and I can see that they are checking it on the screen. The walk around there was not enjoyable.
Torp continued, “It was a bit surreal, going from being up there to feeling like it was taken away from me.” He further disclosed that he felt as like the moment had been stolen from him. You are unable to sense that there is an error in their judgment. That’s the way things are. However, I felt as though it had been snatched from me at that very instant.
If it came down to a shootout, I knew I would have to accept a penalty. I was on the field the day before, when I had asked to take it if it came to that. Since we had practiced it the day before, I knew exactly where I wanted to kick. I spoke with the goalkeeping coach about Onana’s usual movements and his preferred side of jump. However, that shouldn’t have required much more as that would have gone beyond the intended outcome.
“With all that transpired, it’s a little hard to handle. There are a lot of things you’ve forgotten that happened during the game since you were so focused on winning to remember all that happened when you tried to watch the game or highlights.
“I didn’t see my goal in the evening since the margin of error was only a few millimeters. I didn’t see it till the day after because I had to process that first. I simply had to let it go from my system.
Since the game, several pundits have been spewing nonsense. Given how important the goal would have been, some have said it’s a “shame” it wasn’t included. Regarding Alejandro Garnacho’s “offside” at Arsenal earlier this season, I don’t remember any commentators making that claim.
My argument is that a player should be called offside if they are. There are no’shame’ or ifs or buts about it.
With United’s victory, we’ll be playing Man City in the same final as last year. All of us will be hoping for an improved outcome!
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