.
Ordinary time 1 -
1
penalty 2 - 4
goalscorers: Vikings - Johan, Michael
After 8 months of waiting time, the day had finally arrived where
Dubliner could muster a full team of mercenaries brought together
from all parts of the world to play the 2003 final.
First half ended scoreless, it was an even half with only a few
chances in each end - Dubliner had most possession and looked
strong in midfield, but failed to look dangerous up front.
20 minutes from time Anders suddenly got a chance in front of
goal and he didn't miss the opportunity to bring Viking ahead.
Dubliner increased their pressure on the Vikings, which had defended
strongly for most of the game but now started to look tired.
With 10 minutes to go, Mauro Beck got the ball on the edge of
the box after a cornerkick and he put the ball past Peter with
a low shot near the right post.
None of the teams were able to score again and the final had to
be decided on a penalty shoot out.
This is where the mistake of the game (year) was made - after
leading Vikings to 2 victories in the current tournament in Coach's
absence, Asst. Coach was mentally strained and after limping around
for most of the game on a dead left leg he should have retired
himself. However just like old men seems to find a second youth
when they arrive in Bkk, he also thought that he was fit to kick.
So up stepped Asst. Coach to take the first shot - he calmly got
the keeper to move right and placed the ball to the left as planned
- but what happened.......... - the limb leg didn't do what it
was told and the white puma shoe at the end of the dead bones
hit the ball with a quiet thud. The ball travelled at a speed
which would not have been picked up by even the best of radars
and goalkeeper Ae, had time to run to the cantine, drink a can
of coke, go for a quick pee and then come back to save the ball
with his feet.
After this Dubliner just had to convert their penalties which
they did and the Title was theirs. In all fairness it was deserved,
Dubliner finished first in the division and got 4 points against
Vikings during the 2 games in the regular season.
However this defeat will make winning the League title 2004 even
sweeter for the Vikings. So congratulations to the Dubliner, enjoy
it for the next 3 months.
After the game most of the press was looking for Asst. Coach for
an explanation and they found him at the bottom of one of the
sprinkler holes at the far end of the pitch where he was hiding
out from a crowd of infuriated players and fans - after the initial
excuses over his 10 injuries he did officially state that he had
resigned as Asst. Coach, but that he would stay committed to the
club in the future in any position deemed suitable (however he
stressed that this did not include sharing room with topscorer
at any given time).
At the same time he also gave himself 2 weeks match ban in accordance
with paragraph 10 for extremely poor judgment on the pitch. He
declined to answer if he would be taking penalties in the future,
but did promise that after his match ban he would be back to redeem
himself and put all his critics to silence!
The big question in the footballing world is now whether Caretaker
Kejser, after being named man-0f-the-match after a very strong
performance in defense, will take over the vacant job as asst.
coach and whether or not there is a place for the former asst.
coach in the future organisation.
"I am extremely disappointed in my own decision to take the
penalty, when I was clearly incapable. I am furious with myself,
however that said, I am also a bit disappointed in many of my
teammates - I think that in moments like this, no matter how disappointed
you are, you need to stick together as a team and support those
who failed the team - that is what gives a team character and
makes it strong - just giving them a pad on the back and tell
them better luck next time is enough - maybe it is just me and
my own frustration over myself - but I didn't feel that this support
was there today (except from a couple of people) and that is disappointing,
especially when you put so much effort and
emotion into this team!"
pelle
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