Friday, June 12, 2009

CASL Cup 2009 Final



If you looked at the first two games of CASL Cup 2009, you would have expected the final to be very evident. After the first games, the Satellites stood at the top with 3 points, the Pirates and the Sunspots were tied each at 1 point with the Lightning rounding out the bottom. However, an exciting 3-2 win over the Sunspots, and 3-3 draw with the Pirates took the Lightning in the final with the Pirates as their opponents.




The first few minutes of the final was end-to-end attacking soccer until a penalty call finally gave the Lightning a clear cut chance. Gaurav took the spot kick with aplomb and gave the Lightning the lead. However, there was still no room to breathe, as the goal seemed to force the Pirates to find their second gear in the match.




They found that, and the net twice with two quick breakaway strikes that put them in the lead. The reality of a comeback seemed to be distancing itself when Weston chipped a pass over the top of the defense. Gaurav manuevered himself around the goalkeeper and calmly slotted into the open net. If the clock didn't indicate the importance of the goal, the raw excitement of the Lightning's celebration certainly did.



With the score tied, the teams headed into overtime. They locked horns for the whole 20 minutes of the extra time periods, each team having a fair share of opportunites. However, none were finished and so the dreaded penalty shootout followed. The first penalty went to the Lightning as Neel stepped up. Unfortunately, the defender caught the ball all wrong and it rolled weakly at the keeper. The Pirates jumped on the opportunity to take the lead in the shootout, their penalty sailing in to corner, past Sergio. The next penalty belonged to the forward, Isaac. He slotted the ball low and to his left, just out of the keepers reach. The Pirates were able to finish one more chance on another well-taken penalty. Gaurav would take the next penalty for the Lightning. He'd manage to finish all his chances from twelve yards that tournament and was the Lightning's highest goal scorer for the tournament, and the season. He didn't quite live up to either of those titles, as he curled his penalty over the bar. The Pirates had a great chance to go up by two. However, Sergio's knee-jerk reaction kept the shot out for the bottom corner. Weston was next on the Price is Right. He aimed for the top corner ,but sent his over the bar as well. Sergio managed to bail the Lightning out again with another save, this one coming right at him. The final penalty belonged to Alex with all the pressure in the world on his shoulders. If his didn't go in, the Pirates would be victorious. Ultimately, his shot struck the bar and went out. The ping of the bar was almost in unison with the roar from the Pirates, as well as their parents.



In the end both teams fought well, to which the Pirates' coach agreed and payed tribute to after the match. This time however, the Pirates ended up in first place.