0 ---vs ---2
Lansdowne finish their season undefeated and at the summit of the Cosmopolitan Soccer League as they outplay NY Pancyprian in a brutal match through Daryl Kavanagh and Pat McCann's goals.
Lansdowne Bhoys are the regular-season champions for the third year in a row, defeating NY Pancyprian Freedoms 2-0 in a game that nearly turned into a brawl on several occasions Thursday night at St. John's Belson Stadium.
Daryl Kavanagh's free header in the first half put the visiting side on top before Pat McCann sealed things off for them by burying his own rebound.
Lansdowne only conceded 10 goals the entire season, snatching eight clean sheets out of 16 games, which is their best defensive season in the past three years. Keeper Aboukarim Danso was over delighted by his teammates' capability.
"They're really, really good," the Gambian said. "Trust me, this team can play at any level, all of them-- even our subs they're really, really good, They help me a lot."
Lansdowne only conceded 10 goals the entire season, snatching eight clean sheets out of 16 games, which is their best defensive season in the past three years. Keeper Aboukarim Danso was over delighted by his teammates' capability.
"They're really, really good," the Gambian said. "Trust me, this team can play at any level, all of them-- even our subs they're really, really good, They help me a lot."
The flow of the match was constantly interrupted by reckless challenges, which formed a crowd of angry and menacing players on the pitch from time to time.
"Well, it's a top of the table clash, it's going to be physical, see what I mean," Lansdowne manager Austin Friel said after the game. "When you want to win your division, it's going to be physical so I'm very happy. That's just the way these game always are, they're always physical."
NY Pancyprian were close to score the first goal of the game on a couple of occasions shortly after 10 minutes of playing time as Tzoi Tsarkani fired a shot just over the bar after being set by Yannick Reyering.
Chris Megaloudis whipped one from midfield two minutes later. Danso spilled the ball but the Pancyprian players failed to make the most of this glorious opportunity, firing a second-shot straight at Danso.
Coach Friel's side first tested the keeper in the 21st minute. Sean Kelly headed Sikele Sylvester's cross, forcing Nicholas Tarkany Jr. to stretch in order to keep the ball out of the net.
Just over ten minute later, Kelly was the one who struck the first blow of the ferocious game. The defender clipped Tsarkani after getting beat, forming a torrent roar by the Greek supporters around the stadium and the players on the pitch.
Five minutes before halftime, Sylvester quieted the erupted Pancyprian fans with a moment of brilliance. The Jamaican intercepted a Freedoms defender's pass in the attacking third before dribbling the ball down the wing, juking the defender twice then sending a pinpoint cross to Kavanagh.
A wide open Kavanagh headed Sylvester's cross in the bottom left corner of the net, giving the opposite keeper no chance to get a hand on it.
"I like playing against them, it's a challenge," the assistman said about NY Pancyprian. Sylvester also spoke about his assist. "I intercepted the ball from the defender, then I took him on, then I beat him again, then I squared the ball, he [Kavanagh] just headed the ball. It was a great square and a brilliant header too."
The tension between the two sides did not cool off after the restart. A Pancyprian midfielder brought Conor Hunter down with a two-footed slide tackle at the hour mark, which was not acknowledged as a foul by the referee. As a result, Craig Purcell received a yellow card for arguing the non-call.
In the midst of more vicious fouls from both teams, the Bhoys managed to put second one in the net in the 84th minute. Jimmy Nealis hit a voluptuous cross to a wide open McCan, who's first effort was denied by Tarkany Jr.
The keeper failed to hold to the ball, sending it right back to McCann who made sure he hit the target that time.
Next up for the Irish based team is United Soccer League champions, Rochester Rhinos, in the U.S Open Cup Wednesday in Rochester.
"We're going to get chances in that game for sure," Sylvester said about the upcoming match-up. "I guarantee you that."
On the other hand, the Freedoms host Everton FC Westchester Eagles in the first round of the playoffs (date and time TBA).
"We're going to get chances in that game for sure," Sylvester said about the upcoming match-up. "I guarantee you that."
On the other hand, the Freedoms host Everton FC Westchester Eagles in the first round of the playoffs (date and time TBA).
Statistics
NY Pancyprian
Shots (on target): 12 (5)
Fouls committed: 6
Corners: 4
Yellow Cards: 1
Red Cards: 0
Offsides: 1
Saves: 9
Lansdowne Bhoys
Shots (on target): 16 (10)
Fouls committed: 12
Corners: 4
Yellow Cards: 3
Red Cards: 0
Offsides: 0
Saves: 9
No comments:
Post a Comment