CETINKAYA were making their third appearance in four years a tremendous feat. They are well organised both on and off the field. RIZOKARPASO making theirdebut have been one of the most improved teams in the league and of course have a huge support. In fact as mentioned earlier there were a lot of families there.
The game started with both teams showing
a lot of respect for each other making
it a tight affair.
These two teams came into the final with
the best form recoding some excellent recent
results to get into the top half of the
table.
Both teams had good vocal support from
the enthusiastic crowd who although focusing
on the game had one ear on mobiles
to monitor their Premier League teamÕs last
day progress . They neednÕt worry as master
of ceremonies Kopa Secretary Michael
Yiakoumi kept them updated at every possible
moment!!
There were no clear cut opportunities
created in the first half although Rizo had
a lucky escape when Panayi misjudged a long range effort from Marcus Samuels but
recovered to clear via the crossbar.
The second half saw Cetinkaya go close
with Salih but the best chance came to Leon
Semper who slid in to meet a low cross only
to put it just past RemziÕs post. Boxer
and Rispoli were gradually controlling the
midfield for Rizokarpaso but with just one
up front they lacked penetration.
Cetinkaya begun to push players forward
and looked dangerous creating several opportunities
but no breakthrough so on to
extra time. Considering these two teams
scored a lot of goals on their way to the final
it was amazing we had not seen a goal.
In fact Cinar Cetinkaya were trying to
get their first goal in their three final appearances.
The introduction of Tony Ponou gave
Rizo a lift as he pushed and propped his
colleagues forward. Tony knows what is
like to be a winner in this competition having
won it four times with Omonia and
Salamina. Could he make it a high five with
Rizo? He was about to find out in the dreaded
but exciting penalty shootout.
Of course teams will practice penalties
in training but it is different when is for real.
You can be a villain and of course you
can be a hero. First it looked like Remzi
Sekmen was going to be the hero having
saved the first penalty but it was Andy Panayi
who was to emerge as the ultimate hero.
Rizo have pulled level after Cetinkaya missed
a penalty it was down to their fifth spot kick.
They had to score to take the shootout into
sudden death. Panayi made sure there
was no more nail biting to be done by pulling
a spectacular save to give Rizokarpaso the
Challenge Cup trophy at their first attempt.
It started the celebrations for Rizokarpaso
supporters who cheered their team on as
they collected the trophy from Philon Parpottas
of sponsor Buzz Sweets.
It must be mentioned that despite the
lack of goals the game was played in great
sportsmanship well controlled by the officials
and of course a good atmosphere all
around.
