Under 14
Burwood 1 v North Sydney Bears 2
North Sydney Bears claimed the 2010 U14 boy’s McDonald’s Champion of Champions title after a thrilling extra-time victory over Canterbury Association outfit Burwood.
Goals from Burwood’s Adem Keskin and North Sydney Bears’ Giuseppe Costa either side of the break ended regular time with the match deadlocked at 1-1.
North Sydney Bears midfielder Alfred Tagliaferro sent the vocal crowd into raptures late in extra time golden goal after slotting home after an excellent team move to win the game 2-1.
The match began with both sides exchanging long range efforts in what was a fast paced opening.
North Sydney Bears began to dominate proceedings with wingers Christian Calderan and Lorenzo Icardi causing the Burwood defence all sorts of problems.
Burwood defender Diren Reddy was outstanding in thwarting many of the North Sydney attacks in what was an inspirational display in the first half.
Against the run of play, Burwood had a goal to Joshua Nohra disallowed in the 29th minute for offside.
The shift in momentum seemed to lift Burwood and they capitalised in the 32nd minute.
Burwood midfielder Adem Keskin found himself in the right place at the right time when a Burwood corner was headed back into the mixer towards Keskin whose mistimed shot lobbed the outstretched keeper to give Burwood the lead.
The second half break seemed to work wonders for North Sydney who came out all guns blazing in the second half.
Bears midfielder Alfred Tagliaferro had the first chance in the second half after weaving through three Burwood defenders only the push his shot across goal.
In the 51st minute, North Sydney midfielder Jack Osborn was denied by a fantastic save from Robert Pollicina. Burwood failed to properly clear a corner which fell invitingly for Osborn to volley home, however Pollicina stood strong and denied the midfielder with an excellent diving save.
North Sydney became increasingly frustrated with the resolute Burwood defence and it seemed something special was going to be needed to level the scores.
In stepped up midfielder Giuseppe Costa. The Bears number 10 struck home a wonderful driving free kick from 30 yards out into the top right hand corner to level the scores.
North Sydney buoyed by the equaliser dominated the remainder of the second half with chances falling to both Tagliaferro and Costa – the match ended in regular time 1-1.
Extra time ensued, and it was Burwood who missed the first real opportunity in the 14th minute of extra time, Henry Xu delivered and inch perfect cross for Ben Cortese who put his shot wide.
As the game appeared to head into towards penalties midfielder Christian Calderan played a wonderfully timed through ball for Tagliaferro who cut inside from the left to beat the keeper and complete an excellent comeback.
Match Stats
Burwood 1(Adem Keskin 32’)
North Sydney Bears 2 (Giuseppe Costa 51’, Alfred Tagliaferro 88’)
Burwood: Robert Pollicna, Kane Foreman, Joshua Squillacioti, Diren Reddy, Trovato Laurenca, Jack Bresnehan, Ben Cortese, James Pepper, Christopher Ebeling, Michael Castiglione, Liam Heron, Adem Keskin, John Sanni, Henry Xu, Lawrence Pitronaci, Sam Thorne, Joshua Nohra
North Sydney Bears: Connor Mumford, Phillip Boceski, Anthony Hofstaetter, Matthew Timms, Christian Calderan, Lorenzo Icardi, Richard D’Annunzio, Jack Osborn, Giuseppe Costa, Alessandro Riggio, Monique Andreatta, Alfred Tagliaferro, Cooper McCarthy, Edward Wills, Daniel Attanasio, Alexander Harizanov
Report courtesy of http://www.footballnsw.com.au/