LIMESTONE Coast soccer fans were treated to a spectacle at Blue Lake Soccer Club on Sunday, as the Belgiorno Cup grand finals saw spectators witness some nail-biting matches.
Of the close contests throughout the day, the most anticipated clash was between International and Apollo in the senior final.
And it did not disappoint, exceeding all expectations as the two heavyweight clubs locked horns in an epic battle, which saw scores level on one-all at full time, with two lots of overtime required before Inter edged its way to a 3-2 victory.
With the first whistle sounding, it did not take long for both Apollo’s Giancarlo Cooper and Inter’s Sam and Matt Bueti to attack the goals, but these attempts went unconverted and the arm wrestle continued.
Eventually Inter was able to capitalise through Chris Fallas to put its mark on the scoreboard early in the first half.
Apollo held strong and also found opportunities to score, but the board remained untouched before half time.
This all changed in the opening minutes of the second term, when Apollo’s Lungani Emmual put boot to ball inside the goal square and a favourable bounce saw it spin past Inter keeper Brayden May.
With scores tied up, both teams hit hard as they fought for the lead.
Goal keepers at both ends were under the pump, as Inter and Apollo traded blows, but neither side was able to convert and the scores remained level at the final whistle.
The game went into overtime and it continued in the same fashion, with both sides having chances, but unable to finish off.
Then, with only minutes remaining in the first overtime, Inter was awarded a penalty shot.
Matt Bueti squared up to take the kick, with Apollo keeper Ben Morris the only thing standing in the way.
Bueti shot and Morris dove to his left, deflecting the ball and saving the goal.
Players returned to their positions and played out the remaining time, with close calls at both ends, but the whistle was blown once more and the fate of the game hung in the balance.
With fading light an issue and visibility becoming difficult despite the lights switched on around the pitch, it was decided to continue and a second overtime was played, leaving spectators on the edge of their seats once again.
Play continued to bounce back and forth, but this time Inter was able to convert, with Sam Bueti slotting the ball into the back of the net to see his side in front.
This was soon backed up by Matt Bueti, who headed a ball past Morris for a 3-1 lead.
Apollo still had some fight left and Lungani Emmual was able to score his second goal in the dying minutes of the game.
But despite valiant efforts, Apollo was unable to convert again and Inter claimed the 2018 Belgiorno Cup title.
Inter coach Gareth Vonduve said it was not his team’s best performance, but he was pleased to come away with the win in the end.
Injuries threatened to be Inter’s undoing on the day, with Ricky McRobert failing a fitness test before the match following an ankle injury in the semi-final and Josh Grubb pulling a hamstring in the opening minute of play.
Nick Morony also spent time on the bench after going down with a leg injury, but he returned to the pitch to play out the game until the final overtime where youngster Connor Beforeok his place.
With the senior clash the highlight of the day – a classic contest between traditional rivals – Vonduve gave credit to Apollo for its impressive efforts.
“They were pretty disciplined in their structures and played the game the way it should be played,” he said.
“They were aggressive and defensive at the same time.
“They are a force to be reckoned with and I think everyone should show a bit of respect to them and give them the credit they deserve.”
There were plenty of opportunities to convert during the clash and coaches from both boxes were vocal throughout the lengthy match, but Vonduve said he was just happy to get across the line.
“We probably had a few chances we did not take, same as them,” he said.
“But we ended up getting them in the end.
“It was good, I think we really did a hard task.
“Credit to the boys, they ran the extra 30 (minutes) and got the job done.”
With McRobert watching the match from the sidelines, this gave one of Inter’s up-and-coming players a chance to find the spotlight.
“Ricky did a fitness test (on the day) and it was no good, so MJ (Say Har Moo) came and played,” Vonduve said.
“He did a fantastic job.
“Between him and Chris Fallas, they were probably our two best on grounds.
“And Nick Morony was strong again.”
Inter captain Christian Cella played his part through the midfield and Patrick Wilondja also performed, while for Apollo Matthew Pohlner was a clear standout.
He turned over countless Inter attacks and joined by skipper Tom Inglis they were a dominant force in the backline, with Morris also in fine form as keeper.
Stewart and Cameron Wallace also played their parts well, while youngster Harry Wilson held his own in the senior competition, playing in both the Under 17 and A Grade finals on the day.
This weekend will see another intriguing match-up when Inter takes on Gambier Centrals at Bishop Road for the opening round of the Premiership season, while Apollo has the bye.
