NSW Thunder men sink teeth into Cobras

There was little to separate the two sides in the first half with NSW unable to latch onto a series of through balls and ACT struggling to find a way past Thunder goalkeeper Gavin O?Brien.
NSW?s breakthrough came in fortunate circumstances when an attempted cross was deflected off a Cobras player Glenn Smith?s heels, leaving the ACT number 1 with no chance. But the Cobras bounced back immediately with Robbie Cattanach firing a spectacular shot into the top corner before Thunder ?keeper O?Brien could make a move.
NSW looked more confident heading into extra time and it was Giovenali who struck early with a neat finish followed by a vibrant celebration. He then added further misery for ACT, exploiting some tired defending and rattling a quick free kick into the back of the net.

ACT?s only other chance came late in the last period but they were unable to convert a free kick in good position.
After losing to the Cobras 1-0 in the group stage, Giovenali said hearing the final whistle was a jubilant moment for the Thunder men.
?When it gets to extra time you don?t even have time to think,? he said.
?You know it?s a bit more pressure but you just play it like a normal game and hope it comes off.

?We were still finding our feet in the first few games but we clicked at the right time of the competition.?
NSW Captain O?Brien was part of the Thunder?s euphoric 2011 championship win and kept four clean sheets throughout the tournament.
?We celebrated it (the first goal in extra time) for a second and then realised we still had a long way to go,? the goalkeeper said.

?It?s such a long week once you get into extra time all you want to hear is the final whistle and we can?t be happier.?
Jamie Amendolia?s men finished the tournament with the best defensive statistics, conceding just six goals in nine games.


NSW Thunder 3 (Glenn Smith (og), Gregory Giovenali 2) def. ACT Cobras 1 (Robbie Cattanach)

NSW Thunder road to victory
Round 1: drew Victoria 1-1
Round 2: defeated NSW Lightning 2-0
Round 3: defeated Tasmania 5-0
Round 4: drew ACT Colts 2-2
Round 5: defeated Southern NSW 3-0
Round 6: defeated by ACT Cobras 0-1
Round 7: defeated Southern NSW Flame 5-0
Semi Final: defeated Victoria 2-1
Grand Final: defeated ACT Cobras 3-1


By Mitchell Grima