Tuesday, July 21, 2009

SA vs CANADA (7th & 8th place Game)











Today's final game of the 18th Maccabi Games saw Bafana Bafana take on Canada, who like us were still searching for thier 1st win of the tournament. We arrived first and headed straight for the 1 patch of shade where we started to change and get ready for the match. About 5 mins later the Canadian team arrived and entered the stadium where we were changing, one by one greeting us. These greetings suddenly turned into negotiations, whereby Bafana offered to by a round of beers for the Canadian team if they agreed to "give 1 or 2 HEAVY backpasses"............... One would have thought that the negotiations would end there, but oh no, on they went with the likes of one of the Canadian players offering to flip a coin there & then, thus deciding on a winner and both teams heading of to the local pub for a few pints.....

All this was done in good spirit of the Maccabi Games and unfortunately we had not come to any aggreement and had to start the game.

Team Lineup: (4-4-2)
Dan Fine (GK), Michael Selikow, David Valentini, Allan Nossel, Colin Gewer, Izzy Goldfein, Ryan Jankelowitz, Robert Sulcas, Gary Katzman, Robin Segal, Yaron Frankental

1st half started with a bang, with once again, Bafana having possession and threatening the Canadian goals early on. Then in the 8th min, Canada conceded a free kick just along the halfway line, up stepped Colin "the gaffer' Gewer who belted a ball into the 18yard box and out of nowhere, Ryan 'one touch" Jankelowitz rose like a salmon and powered a header across the Canadian goal towards the back post, the bench, linesman & supporters all held thier breath, what looked like a certain goal, was unfortunately only a deflection back into play by the backpost. The 1st half continued in a very even affair, with both sides having equal opportunities.

An encouraging halftime talk from the "Special One" (Warren Lewis) and about 3 litres of water later, the lads were back on the field to trry and seal the deal.

2nd half started with both sides trying to get on the scoresheet. Bafana made a few changes in the hope of mixing it up and trying to catch the Canadians off guard, however the 2nd half finished much like the 1st, with no goals from either team, final score 0 - 0, once again extra time would be needed.

The lads were starting to feel the heat now, as the tempreature soared into the high 30's. 1st half of extra time ended 0 - 0. With a quick change over and no break, the 2nd half of extra time started. Not much to write home about in the snd half and penalties were on the cards when in the final minute of etra time (19th min) one of the candians found himself in space about 4 yards outside the big box and had a crack...................................... SWOOSH! the ball found itself in the back of the net. Silence hit the Bafana bench as Canada had scored in the final minute of play, securing the win and condemning Bafana to 8th place in the 18th Maccabi Games 2009.

The lads were guttered, as no more could be done. The final whistle blew and that was the end of the road for Bafana, even though we didnt win 1 game, we definitely won the "most goals per game" award. The lads picked themselves up, shook hands and began to swap shirts, all in a good days play.

The lads had a great time, approaching each day with nothing less than a smile & a chirp here and there for teammates and opposition alike. WE WILL BE BACK, SHALOM YISRAEL!!!

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