State League 1 – Finals Week 1
And there were four! Granville Rage became the first casualties of the State League One semi final series, bowing out at the hands of Hakoah Sydney City East in extra time on Saturday. On Sunday, a depleted Dully came unstuck against Balmain, the Tigers now moving into a grand final qualifier against Northbridge FC next week.
There is always that little bit of added tension during a knockout match, and it was evident in droves at Bensons Lane in Richmond where Hakoah Sydney City East faced Granville Rage in the Elimination Final.
Hakoah Sydney City East – Granville Rage 2-1 after extra time
Hakoah Sydney City East had to dig deep with ten men to overcome Granville Rage 2-1 after extra time in Saturday afternoon’s Elimination Final at Bensons Lane.
Hakoah had finished the competition proper in 4th position, but had lost their two previous encounters against their fifth placed rivals, eager to put the record straight where it counted, in the semi finals. But they came to play without the injured Pat Darvill, the suspended Deklan Gilmartin, and central defender, Bradley Walker, who had returned to the US.
But the club did have ex-Socceroo captain, John Kosmina, present in support, keeping a close eye on his two offspring, Hakoah’s Justin and Nathan.
Granville’s depth was up for scrutiny even more so, with a host of first team regulars missing from their lineup. Apart from the injured skipper, Dave Harding, the Rage had star striker, Zac Watters, out with an ankle injury, whilst Nenos Bobo and Daniel Vukovic were also absent. Even brilliant shot stopper, Carl McMahon, was away, needing to return to Denmark in lieu of his father’s illness, instigating the late season signing of Luke Turnbull from the Blacktown Spartans.
Hakoah had the first opportunity of the match as early as the 4th minute, when the ball dropped to Stephen Lee just inside the Rage penalty area, but his volley was weakly struck and Granville custodian, Luke Turnbull, made an easy early save.
Both teams displayed the required levels of energy from box to box and looked the part, but both also played a percentages type of football which minimised chances in the respective front thirds.
The bumpy surface saw a cautious passing game evolve throughout the first period, with the noise simmering from the fans as they craved some goalmouth action.
The goal didn’t arrive until well into the second half, in the 57th minute, but it worth the wait.
Hakoah skipper, Michael Katz, hit a free kick across his body, from right to left, watching the ball clear the Granville wall as it whipped past Rage keeper, Luke Turnbull, nestling into the corner of the net as it ricocheted off the stanchion.
What a superb way to crack open a tense match, and Katz wheeled away towards his bench to celebrate with his team mates as the ascendancy now was well and truly with Hakoah.
The Rage became a little more desperate as the game wore on, showing a little more urgency in their play in the hope of pegging back a goal to restore parity. They even threw two attackers into the fray around the hour mark, with Leon Pirrello and Dhuel Nyamhom putting themselves into the mix immediately.
Just as the game seemed to be heading towards a closely fought Hakoah victory, pandemonium broke loose in the 83rd minute.
A punt into the Hakoah box was met by Granville defender-come-striker, Manut Yel, and he was impeded near the corner of the penalty area by the onrushing Hakoah keeper, Terry Dal Broi.
Dal Broi had earlier picked up a needless caution for racing off his line to go toe to toe with a Granville attacker, and was made to pay for his carelessness by earning a second caution for this latest indiscretion. Into the showers he went and Hakoah were down to ten men and about to face a penalty.
Nathan Kosmina was sacrificed for substitute keeper, David Helfenbaum, but Manut Yel sent him the wrong way from the spot to equalise for the Rage.
A group of boisterous Granville fans – complete with musical instruments – went beserk as the Rage clicked into gear, hoping to finish Hakoah off.
Rage’s young striker, Daniel Bortolazzo, almost did just that twice in the remaining minutes, first turning and volleying into Helfenbaum’s arms in the 88th, and then slicing his angled shot wide in injury time after Calum Hedge had weaved his way along the goal line and cut the ball back.
The cautions had been numerous prior to full time, and continued well into extra time as the challenges became more and more fierce.
Justin Kosmina spurned a great chance for Hakoah in the 10th minute of extra time, half volleying over from right in front after a great run and cross from his captain, Michael Katz.
Then it was Granville’s turn to miss, and Manut Yel specifically, who had ventured forward in a counter attacking raid on 106 minutes, Yel blasting over from six yards with the goal at his mercy.
Just as Granville had scored against the run of play somewhat in normal time, Hakoah returned serve somewhat in extra time, and grabbed the winning goal in the 107th minute.
Hakoah striker, Dean Ginsberg, stumbled his way past a would be Granville challenge as he reached the goal line on the right, clipping a ball towards the far post. Hakoah striker, Neil Jablonski, back in the mix after missing the majority of the season through injury, nodded the ball back into the centre where mighty mouse, Mark McAlpine, scurried through to stroke the ball into the net for the winner.
A late red card to substitute, D Chambers, for dissent, didn’t help Granville’s late cause, and try as they might, they just couldn’t peg it back a second time.
The Rage can be proud of their efforts during the 2013 season, and even moreso in this Elimination Final, given the strain on playing resources. The fact that they took the game to extra time showed the team’s resilience and never say die attitude – for now their season is over and they can put their feet up as they await the start of the preseason for the 2014 campaign.
Hakoah Sydney City East almost won it in normal time, then almost lost it in normal time, before standing tall to win in extra time in a determined display. They will be without Terry Dal Broi next week, who will miss the game through suspension, but will regroup no doubt to face the might of Dulwich Hill in yet another elimination Semi Final.
Match Stats
Hakoah Sydney City East 2 (Katz 57’, McAlpine 107’)
Granville Rage 1 (Manut Yel 85’ pen)
after extra time
Sunday, September 7, 2013
Bensons Lane, Richmond
Referee: Mr Andrew Higgins
Assistant Referees: Mr Darren Richards and Mr Yourel Shamon
Hakoah Sydney City East : 1.Terry Dal Broi, 5.Dylan Blumberg, 39.Dean Ginsberg, 13.M.Katz (capt), 12.Justin Kosmina (9.Neil Jablonski 106’), 6.Nathan Kosmina (30.David Helfenbaum 84’), 19.Stephen Lee (37.Max Joarder 70’), 8.Mark McAlpine, 16.Michael Randall, 7.Dean Ranshuijsen, 2.Remy Wolanski.
Substitutes Not Used: 15.Adam Joseph, 11.E.Rimmer.
Yellow Cards: 16.Michael Randall 32’, 1.Terry Dal Broi 62’ & 83’,12.Justin Kosmina 87’,8.Mark McAlpine 93’.
Red Cards: 1.Terry Dal Broi 83’.
Granville Rage : 1.Luke Turnbull, 17.Daniel Bortolazzo,2.Jonathan Ekehov, 16.Calum Hedge (capt), 19.Rafid Hermiz, 4.Kushaba Kushaba (12.D.Chambers 104’), 14.Mitchell Luc, 10.Daniel Martinez (6.Dhuel Nyamhom 60’), 8.Phillip Pyliotis (18.Leon Pirrello 72’), 7.Lucas Wilkinson, 9.Manut Yel.
Substitutes Not Used: 22.Michael Giancotti, 3.Cameron McKinnon.
Yellow Cards: 16.Calum Hedge 62’, 14.Mitchell Luc 82’, 2.Jonathan Ekehov 93’,9.Manut Yel 110’.
Red Cards: 12.D Chambers 112’.
Qualifying Final
Dulwich Hill SC – Balmain Tigers 0-3
Balmain Tigers put the horror results of the last couple of weeks behind them with a convincing 3-0 victory over Dulwich Hill in Sunday’s Qualifying Final at Garside Park.
Both sides came into the clash on the back of defeats, and both were severely depleted.
Dulwich Hill had skipper Robbie Morrison out through suspension having accumulated five cautions, plus Marcus Frost (hamstring) and Carlos Villazon (ankle) were both injured. Goalkeeper Matt Licata returned from a week on the sidelines due to a rib injury, although he could only take his spot on the bench, whilst playmaker, Anthony Musumeci, was missing through illness.
The Tigers themselves had Will Donato and Oliver Babington out injured, with Josh Karpes (red card last week vs WNSW) and Dom Di Mento (5 cautions) both missing due to suspension.
Wearing their unaccustomed purple and black strip, the Tigers did however, welcome back with open arms their inspirational captain, Tommy Hyde, and he proceeded to lead by example with a sturdy performance throughout.
Balmain took the lead on 21 minutes when a ball rebounded at the feet of Rosario Occhipinti, and the league’s top marksman netted to give the Tigers the lead.
Occhipinti and Costa Fiakos in fact could’ve extended the lead a couple of times during a first half where the Tigers showed the ascendancy, eventually combining just before the break to do just that and send the Tigers into the break 2 goals to the good.
Jacob Di Mento was controlling the midfield in a commanding performance as the Tigers looked to put the game to bed after the break. As I suggested in my Preview, Balmain were awarded a free kick close to goal in the 57th minute, and Liam Cole did what he does best, rifling the set piece into the net to give his side an unassailable 3-0 lead.
Balmain even had time for a missed penalty, Leo Di Guilio spraying wide to dent what had been a strong game in defence by the left back.
That was all she wrote, with Balmain progressing to what looms as a grand final qualifier next weekend against Premiership winners Northbridge, whilst Dulwich Hill have another bite at the cherry, although they will have to regroup very quickly if they are to stop Hakoah Sydney City East in their elimination semi final.
Footnote – our best wishes are with Dulwich Hill playmaker, Anthony Musumeci, as he battles adversity after being diagnosed with a serious illness. From the entire football community, our prayers and thoughts are with you, Anthony, be strong as we all offer our combined support during this tough time.
