By Lachlan Onions
GAMBIER CENTRALS 3 (5) d INTERNATIONAL 3 (3)
GAMBIER Centrals successfully defended its Limestone Coast soccer title with a thrilling penalty shoot-out victory on Sunday in one of the all-time great grand finals.
Sam Shoemark held his nerve to score the decisive penalty which sealed the premiership and sparked scenes of jubilation as Centrals faithful ran onto the field to celebrate with the players and staff.
Centrals coach Brodey Koop said he was “absolutely stoked” and the game was a great showcase of soccer in the region.
“I am just over the moon and I couldn’t be prouder of the group we’ve got at the moment,” he said.
“Everyone played their role and did what was asked of them and I couldn’t be more happier.”
The decider was not short of drama as players had to contend with extreme winds and regular showers across the 120 minutes of action.
International used the wind to full-effect in the first half and was able to take the lead inside five minutes.
The men in the black and blue stripes continued to dominate possession and Sam Bueti doubled his side’s advantage before the break.
Koop said his side remained calm at half time despite the two-goal deficit.
“We have come back from two down before so we had the belief,” he said.
“The whole group was calm, knew what was ahead of them and were willing to put it all on the line.”
It is commonly known that two-nil is the most dangerous score-line in the sport and this was once again proven as the Lions fought back to draw level thanks to two goals off the back of set-pieces.
With the wind in its sails, Centrals turned the tables of the clash and hit the lead with an impressive header from captain Jake Blackwell.
Time was ticking down and the Lions looked to hold off Inter, who pushed more players forward in an attempt to snatch a late equaliser.
Cometh the hour, cometh the man, Matt Bueti, who dominated in front of goal all season, stepped up when his side needed him most and found the back of the net to level terms with just 10 minutes to play.
With just three minutes to play, there was yet another twist in the tale as Inter’s Lachlan Charlton was sent off for a second yellow card.
After 90 minutes, there was nothing separating the two sides and extra time beckoned.
Koop said the body language of his side stayed strong at the break despite the late equaliser from Inter.
“The group of players I have got, I am blessed with,” he said.
“They are so mentally strong with every challenge that comes their way.”
The drama did not stop in extra time as Inter was reduced to just nine men after Caleb Casey received his second yellow card of the game.
As a result, Centrals dictated terms for the majority of extra time and created chance after chance but were unable to find a way past Ka Nay Di Baw, who was in inspired form in between the sticks for the black and blue.
In the dying minutes of the second half of extra time, the Lions fell agonisingly close to sealing victory after a long-shot hit the cross bar and bounced back into to play.
However, despite the constant pressure, Inter held on to send the game to penalties, where Centrals claimed a thrilling victory.
The Lions were perfect from the spot and capitalised on a missed penalty from the black and blue.
“Penalty shoot-outs can go any which way,” Koop said.
“I backed my five in and I backed my keeper in as well.
“It is the luck of the draw but I was still confident we could get over the line.”
He said it was great to be a part of the premiership in his first year as a coach, after being a part of last year’s success as a player.
Koop said it was a strong team performance all-round but praised Blackwell, who put in a strong captain’s performance.
“Jake (Blackwell) was brilliant, he was man of the match as well but I thought Jensen Childs at fullback, having played Under 17’s earlier, was solid all day,” he said.
Koop remains excited for the future of the club as he believes the group is about to enter a “massive golden period.”
