Chronicles from The Eagles...

The Cup Final II
Date: 2013-02-07
Venue: Abuja National Stadium (Nigeria)
The Eagles...(41) v Welsh wizards fc (38.5)

After the disappointment of losing in the semi-finals of Champions League yesterday, the eagles enter this cup finals match with apprehension. This is our chance to repeat the league and cup double for the 2nd straight season. We line up a 3N-3-1-2(w)-1 against opponents 3N-1-4-2.
The match started on a furious note, with Welsh having the first 2 shots on goal. We changed mentality from normal to attacking and started to create some chances too. On the 30th min, Dreier our AML was shown a yellow card for a bookable offence, without much ado, he was subbed out and replace my Makuka (AMC –SS). It was a ping pong affair with both teams struggling to create real goal scoring chances. Both defences were resolute. Every attempt my O.D.Ben to turn the defenders or lay off a pass was frustrated – he was swimming against a tide!
For 90mins, neither side could break the dead lock. At this stage, fatigue was setting in. We subbed in 2 players. Welsh fc stood firm, not making any tactical changes. By the end of 120min, the match was till a goalless draw.

The referee called both team to line up their penalty takers. By this time, majority of the 13,000 partisan crowds were dead silence – there was palpable fear in the air. People were sitting at the edge of their seats; some covering their eyes while others just couldn’t take it again…
• F Arevalo (ST) steps up to take the 1st kick for Welsh Fc: The ball hit the underneath of the cross bar! 1-0 to Welsh
• O.D.Ben (ST) placed the ball on the spot , waited for the referee signal and calmly sent the keeper the wrong way to make it 1-1
• K Vouros (MC)was next, he kicked the ball low and Sguera (our GK that only took over the 1st team shirt after former no1 was sold via negiotation) dived full length to make the save. The stadium roar!!!
• F Galal (DL) ran to the ball and struck a hard shot, the keeper did not see it coming. 1-2 to The Eagles
• L Antal (ML)need to score to restore hope for Welsh but Sguera once again guess the right way and made the save
• J Pinedo (DC) picked his spot and fired a shot to make it 1-3 for The Eagles
• R Price gave Welsh a flicker of hope by sending Sguera the wrong way. 2-3 the score
• A. Abdi (DR) not concentrating at the task at hand, put his kick over bar! 2-3 the score remain
• K Cherry (DMC) was the last hope for Welsh, he walk dejectedly to take his kick – already overwhelmed by the occasion and struck the cross bar!


The Eagles retained the CUP. Fans rushed to the pitch, carrying high the victorious players and team manager. It’s going to be a long Night in Abuja today before returning to Melbourne.
MOM was J Pinedo was thwarting all efforts Welsh from breaking the dead lock.



Postscript: A big thank you to July, Accy, Potemy, Adel, Pricop & Dv8r for their varied support during the season…cheers

We have forfeited the last 2games of the season, the team is taking the much deserve holiday...