Lansdowne ends regular-season perfect, blanks NY Pancyprian 2-0

              

       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."

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).

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

Southie FC takes on the Irish 'challenge'

                                                           

             VS

LANSDOWNE BHOYS                                                                       SOUTHIE FC

                                                

                               USASA NATIONAL AMATEUR CUP SEMIFINAL

                             April 30, 2016 -- 7:00 PM -- Tibbet Brook Park, New York

Roy Sandeman acknowledges that Southie FC need to bring their A game in order to defeat an 'experienced and organized' Lansdowne team, who are in the midst of an undefeated season. 

Young amateur club Southie FC is set to take on their biggest challenge yet, a USASA National Amateur Cup semifinal against Cosmopolitan champions Lansdowne Bhoys Saturday night at Tibbet Brook Park.

Southie FC play in the Massachusetts State Soccer League and in the Bay State Soccer League second division. The club is one of the youngest amateur team in Massachusetts, founded in 2012 by current player-coach Sean Bakhtiari.  

The Boston club is only four years in the running, although they can brag about beating some of the best team in the state such as GPS Omens and Boston Olympiakos, reaching the semifinal of the National Amateur Cup and qualifying for the U.S. Lamar Hunt Open Cup.  

One of the club's latest wonder is a thrilling 6-5 penalty kicks winner over Trenton Rebels in the quarterfinals on April 17. The Southies had to come back from two goals down twice, including a late equalizer.

"The game against Trenton in the last round was tough," Roy Sandeman told a Read The Game reporter. "We were obviously a touch fortunate grabbing a last minute equalizer, but it's a statement to our never say die attitude that we advanced, which was the ultimate goal." 

Sandeman approves that the road ahead of this famous victory will require much more tenacity. 

"We don't know too much about Landsdowne, apart from that they will be experienced, organized and with players that can hurt you," the center midfielder said.  "We are focused on our own game, however, and know that we will need to be on our A-game from start to finish in order to win out."

To add to the Southies' load, the game will take place on Lansdowne's turf. The Irish team haven't conceded more than a goal at home in the league and in the National Amateur Cup. 

Bakhtiari looks at the location of the game as a contest rather than a stumbling block.

"Away games are a major disadvantage, especially in amateur soccer, but we look at it more as a challenge" the 28 year-old said. He later added: "We like challenges, our team is deep and we are excited about our trip to Yonkers."

Photo Credit: Southie F.C.

Meanwhile, Lansdowne play in the Cosmopolitan Soccer League first division in New York. The Irish based club reached the semi after Manzonilla forfeited the quarterfinal and beating Newtown Pride 3-0 in the first round prior that. 

Lansdowne Bhoys huddle up before a game. First Touch Online Images

The furthest the club ever reached in the National Amateur Cup is the regional semifinal in 2013-14.




Key Read The Game stats:


-Southie FC was founded 15 years after Lansdowne.
-Both sides are undefeated in their leagues, Lansdowne (12 games), Southie (five games).
-Southie FC haven't conceded a goal yet in the BSSL.
-The Bhoys haven't conceded a goal yet in the Regional USASA National Amateur Cup.
-Lansdowne never conceded more than a goal at home this season.
-Southie played 330 minutes of football in the past two weeks.
-Southie FC has played in four extra time games since November 8, 2015.

LAST FIVE MATCHES

Lansdowne Bhoys(W,W,--,W,W):
4/23/16 Lansdowne Bhoys 2-1 Shamrock SC
4/16/16 Lansdowne Bhoys 4-1 United FC
4/10/16 NY Pancyprian Freedoms vs Lansdowne Bhoys
3/20/16 United FC 1-4 Lansdowne Bhoys
12/17/16 NY Pancyprian Freedoms 1-2 Lansdowne Bhoys

Southie FC(W,W,W,W,W):
4/24/16 Lowell United 1-9 SFC
4/23/16 SFC 1-1 (4-2 PKs) La Garra
4/17/16 Trenton Rebels 4-4 (5-6 PKs) SFC 
4/16/16 Kendall Wanderers B 0-6 Southie SFC
4/10/16 SFC 6-0 Mill City 

Cosmopolitan Soccer League: CPR snatches first win of the season against Polonia 3-1

Arsene Oka and Stephanos Hondrakis' first goal for Central Park Whites alongside an exquisite run by Akeem Brooks granted the club their first victory of the season against struggling Polonia NY. 

         3          vs        1            

S. Hondrakis 16', A. Oka 39'                                                         J. Grzegorzewski 45+
A. Brooks 53'



Central Park Rangers Whites broke a 12 game non-winning run as they defeated Polonia NY 3-1 Saturday night at Randall's Island.

College player Stephanos Hondrakis gave CPR the lead with a clinical finish, before Arsene Oka juked the opposing keeper to double the Whites' lead.

Jakub Grzegorzewski headed down a free kick to cut Eli Vosha's side's lead in half, but CPR reinforced their two-goal advantage in the second half with a swift run by Akeem Brooks, followed by a smart finish.

Polonia remain in ninth place after the loss, extending to a four game losing streak. Meanwhile, CPR jump out of last place to tenth.

Central Park managed to pull out the victory with a couple of players playing out of position, Carson Pryer and Kwesi Mills-Odoi.

"I thought two players really stood out," player-coach Eli Vosha said after the game. "Carson Pryer who played in midfield, he really stood out, that was not his natural position, he's a striker. And our captain, Kwesi Mills-Odoi, who played at center back, he did a really good job out of position."

The only downside of CPR's first win was losing central midfielder Byasa Bah to a thigh injury, according to Vosha.

Polonia looked as if they were on their way to an easy victory in the opening minutes of the games as they took four shots inside the first five minutes, signed by Konrad Steliga and Lukasz Bielen.

Besides the away team's early dominance, Central Park were the fist on target shortly after the quarter hour mark. Bah played a ball over the top to Hondrakis, who dribbled past the Polonians' open defense before shooting the ball past the keeper.

"We know from the beginning that they were pushing up high," the goalscorer said about his goal. "So I expected to beat them on that trap and have enough space for me to run on one-on-one with the goalie and score."

CPR added to their lead despite more Polonia dominance. Hondrakis sent a cross from the right flank to Oka, who shot the ball out of the keeper's reach after magnificently faking him twice in the 39th minute.

"The center back missed the ball, so instead of taking a shot I took my time to find a better position to score because I didn't want to rush and miss it, and I took a shot, it went in," the striker said.

Polonia was rewarded a freekick seven minutes later, after Damian Bziukiewicz was brought down in the left wing. Grzegorzewski  headed Bielen's freekick past keeper Shane Reid.

Anton Camaj's men didn't show much sign that they would equalize, although it was the Whites who increased their lead eight minutes into the second half.

Polonia's right back failed to intercept Mills-Odoi's pass as the ball broke free off his boots for Brooks to dribble through the defense and hit the ball beyond the away keeper.

Coach Vosha is satisfied with the first win but admits that it's too late into the season to turn things around.

"The effort was good, that's all we can ask for," Vosha said. He later added: "It's too late in the season to have a real effect. I think we will play a little better in the last two games but it's too late into the season to make any difference so we're just trying to compete for the rest of the season, enjoy and have fun but it's too late."

Statistics

Central Park Rangers Whites:
11 (7) shots
4 corners
9 fouls committed
2 yellow cards
0 red card
1 offside

Polonia NY:
20 (7) shots
7 corners
11 fouls committed
0 yellow card
0 red card
3 offsides

World Cup Qualification Recap-Countdown

You know what's better than the World Cup-- World Cup Qualification. If there wasn't no qualification, there wouldn't be no World Cup. So we can't afford to fall asleep watching those late night games, guys-- or those super early games if you live on the other side of the world from me. It's like falling asleep at tryouts. Agree?

If you don't agree, I got 11 reasons why you should've been awake for the full coverage of the CONMEBOL and CONCACAF qualifying games yesterday.

The most talked-about thing from yesterday is Lionel Messi scoring his 50th goal for Argentina, I'm going to start with that goal but I don't have time to do a countdown with 50 numbers, so...

11. Messi scored his 11th penalty kick goal for Argentina against Bolivia.

10. 10/10 for Mexico. They won all the games they played so far without having conceded a single goal and scoring 10 goals in four games.

9. Nine for Venezuela's midfielder Romulo Otero ninth minute amazing free kick goal against Chile. Fourth best goal from yesterday by the way.

See, even his coach thought that was a nice goal.

8. Eight for Uruguay for having eight goal difference, that's the only reason why they're in first place over Ecuador, who has the same amount of points with them.

[show]2018 FIFA World Cup qualification tiebreakers

Pos	Team v t e	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification
1	Uruguay	6	4	1	1	12	4	+8	13	Qualification to2018 FIFA World Cup		—	MD11	MD15	3–0	3–0	MD13	MD8	1–0	MD18	MD9
2	Ecuador	6	4	1	1	12	7	+5	13			2–1	—	MD18	MD9	MD14	MD7	2–2	MD16	2–0	MD12
3	Argentina	6	3	2	1	6	4	+2	11			MD7	0–2	—	MD13	MD12	1–1	MD10	MD17	2–0	MD16
4	Chile	6	3	1	2	12	10	+2	10			MD12	MD17	1–2	—	1–1	2–0	MD15	MD10	MD8	MD14
5	Colombia	6	3	1	2	9	8	+1	10	Advance tointer-confederation play-offs		MD10	3–1	0–1	MD11	—	MD16	MD17	2–0	MD13	MD7
6	Brazil	6	2	3	1	11	8	+3	9			2–2	MD15	MD11	MD18	MD8	—	MD14	3–0	MD9	3–1
7	Paraguay	6	2	3	1	7	6	+1	9			MD16	MD13	0–0	MD7	MD9	2–2	—	MD11	2–1	MD18
8	Peru	6	1	1	4	6	12	−6	4			MD14	MD8	MD9	3–4	MD18	MD12	1–0	—	MD15	2–2
9	Bolivia	6	1	0	5	7	13	−6	3			0–2	MD10	MD14	MD16	2–3	MD17	MD12	MD7	—	4–2
10	Venezuela	6	0	1	5	7	17	−10	1			MD17	1–3	MD8	1–4	MD15	MD10	0–1	MD13	MD11	—

Wikipedia

7. Seven for Colombia's number seven Carlos Bacca for scoring the third best goal yesterday against Ecuador.

Carlos "Spinning Top" Bacca.

6. Argentina only scored six goals in the qualifiers so far, that's the least goals scored by any team in the CONMEBOL (come on, Messi). How in the world is Argentina in third place? Well they conceded the least goals.

5.  Sorry about that five goal difference Ecuador, you're in second place now.

4. Four for Dario Lezcano 40th minute goal against Brazil. That was the Paraguayan's fourth goal for his country.

3. Three for the three minutes of added time the referee gave after Mexico vs Canada's first half. Mexico's number 10 Jesus Corona scored the second best goal yesterday in the 48th minute. Thank you, referee.

 

2. Chile's number 22 Mauricio Pinilla scored two goals against Venezuela. The striker hadn't scored for his country for two years before yesterday.

1. One for the best goal from yesterday, Sebastian Perez's "karate kick" goal against Ecuador.

If you're going to score from inside the six-yard box, don't make it look boring.

0. Zero for all the friendly games, it's all about World Cup Qualifiers.