Belconnen United emerged victorious in the NPL Men’s U23s Grand Final, seeing off Tigers FC 5-4 on penalties, after a 1-1 full-time scoreline.
Having missed out on goal difference to Tigers in the race for top spot on the league table, Derek Moir’s Belconnen looked unlikely at first to write those wrongs, following the league champions opening the goalscoring on 33 minutes.
Harrison Pole showed desire to not only keep the ball in play, but to flick it over the head of his opponent Sam York, before playing in Jack Gibson, who’s stabbed effort towards goal was too hot to handle for Rory Dahlerup in the net for the Blue Devils.
Heading into the break behind, Belconnen responded well, and equalised after just five second half minutes following Max Rawlinson being robbed of possession, and as questions of a potential foul ensued, Leo Donald slotted the ball past Liam Rawlinson to make it one a piece.
Tempers had been boiling for some time in the match, and on 55 minutes it proved costly for the Blue Devils who were reduced to ten after captain Nicolas Pulciani was sent off after an altercation with Max Rawlinson.
Both sides had chances to win the game late in the 90, however neither could be separated, and extra-time beckoned.
Gibson looked set for a second just four minutes into the first half of extra time, as a ball was fizzed across the face by substitute Orlando Jeffery, but Rory Dahlerup, already having a superb game, stood tall to keep his opponents out.
Dahlerup’s day wasn’t quite done, as on 120 minutes, Tigers substitute Riley O’Sullivan could have won the match, played in behind for a one-on-one with the Blue Devils goalkeeper, who stood strong to keep the scores level with a sharp save to send the match to penalties.
Those two met again just minutes later after Tom Huizenga and Thinley Dorji had converted the first penalties of the shootout for either side, as Dahlerup once again kept out O’Sullivan’s effort on goal.
Three-straight efforts from both sides that found the back of the net presented the opportunity for Conor Moir to step up and send Rawlinson the wrong way, and his team into jubilation after a memorable Grand Final victory with ten men.
STATISTICS
GRAND FINAL
Sunday 13 September
Tigers FC 1 (Gibson 33’) Belconnen United 1 (Donald 51’) – after extra-time Belconnen won 5-4 on penalties
THE LINE-UPS
Tigers FC: 14. Jack GIBSON, 16. Tanatswa BVIRAKARE (32. Riley O’SULLIVAN), 17. Kye COSSENTINI, 19. Zac CHADWICK, 25. Alexander COULDRICK, 28. Zachary COLSON (37. Orlando JEFFERY 63’), 31. Liam RAWLINSON, 40. Harrison POLE (34. Jordan FORKA 115’), 42. Max RAWLINSON, 44. Tom HUIZENGA, 47. Julian KORBATITS
Substitute not used: 12. Fletcher MACONACHIE, 35. Luke LINTON
Belconnen United: 2. Dominic PARAGALLI, 19. Jayden KOCANOV, 22. Leo DONALD (30. Sebastian PARAGALLI 55’), 25. Conor MOIR, 31. Rory DAHLERUP, 34. Dawit JEMBER (29. Zac PEELGRANE 55’), 35. Sam YORK (33. Ahmad MUBAIDEEN 108’), 40. Anish ATMAKUR, 47. Antonio CHANG (64. Joshua PRIOR 80’), 77. Nicolas PULCIANI, 99. Thinley DORJI
Substitute not used: 21. Cohen MOIR
THE OFFICIALS
Referee: Thomas STUPARICH
Assistant Referees: Benjamin CRACKNELL, Harrison OSBURNE
Fourth Official: Lachlan LI CHIANG
DISCIPLINE
Yellow Cards: 22. Leo DONALD (Belconnen United), 35. Sam YORK (Belconnen United), 47. Antonio CHANG (Belconnen United), Derek MOIR (Belconnen United), 21. Cohen MOIR (Belconnen United), 33. Ahmad MUBAIDEEN (Belconnen United), Tom CROSSLEY (Tigers FC), 28. Zachary COLSON (Tigers FC), 17. Kye COSSENTINI (Tigers FC)
Red Card: 77. Nicolas PULCIANI
