Heartbreak

[ineedfourberfs]

So my beloved Central Coast Mariners FC made the league Grand Final this year, which in Australia is unfortunately considered to be the game that 'wins' the league. Anyway personal reservations aside, it was very exciting to be in it against the Brisbane Roar, a team that has only been defeated once this season, and currently on an Australian club side record (and world record, apparently) 28 game unbeaten streak, quite impressive.

 

They beat us once or twice during the season, and we drew with them at least once. Came close to winning, but alas not to be.

 

CCM come second in the league, ensuring that we make the Major Semi Final, and with it, a second chance if we lose. We again play the Brisbane Roar.

 

First leg, we lose 2-0. No drama's, it's not a huge gap.

 

Second leg, HOLY CRAP WE ARE WINNING 2-0 at half time! Could we, if we, ...no. We draw 2-2. OK, it's cool, we get to play the winner of the minor semi for the grand final spot (And with it, I should add, a ticket to the asian champions league, and the $$$ that comes with it)

 

We win the next game 1-0, but playing better than that sounds. Awesome! Grand Final here we come!

 

We play the Roar, at thier home stadium Suncorp. It's the 3rd Grand Final we've been in in 6 years of the competitions life, however there are mixed feelings amongst the away fans as we know Brisbane are playing like Arsenal, slick passing, lot of fast youngsters, very attacking football. They are undoubtedly the best club the country has ever seen.

 

BUT, CCM are doing pretty damn well ourselves. Our Backs are in imposing form, the mids are clicking well, and the passing game is quick and direct in transition. We have beleif, despite the bookies putting us at $3.75.

 

Kick off. First 45? Nothing. A few good chances either end, heart in the mouth stuff. Second 45, the Roar come thick and fast, peppering the goal and giving young keeper Matthew Ryan (18yo, first season in the professional league, called up thanks to injury to #1 keeper Jesse Van Strattan early in the season and playing like he is the next Schwarzer) a hell of a time. He does well.

 

The Roar start to tire in the 70th, and the game starts to swing. We bring on our our subs, they do theirs. Quick breaks are flying in either end. It's the 93rd minute, and the Roar are on a break, 4vs3 and looking dangerous. Ryan again does the deed, and a kick straight upfield finds our striker on the shoulder of thier last defender, and he's off like a rocket. It's him vs the keeper, if he keeps his pace up, holy mother this could be it!

 

Full time. Extra time here we come. Son of a bitch.

 

After a quick break, the players are back on, CCM and Roar pretty much equal at this point.

 

CCM score. It's our first goal in a grand final ever, thanks to old stalwart Kwasnik. The few hundred away fans go nuts, the rest of the 50K in the stadium go silent. Much beer consumed.

 

Play resumes. HOLY CRAP WE GET A SECOND. Roar fans start leaving. CCM fans are dancing. It's a beautiful thing.

 

Half time in extra time, no time for drinks, play resumes. I can barely watch.

 

Players start to get lippy. Scarily, the CCM start to look a little tired, especially at the back.

 

They score. 3 minutes left to play. OK, thats ok, just concentrate people, lock them out.

 

Into injury time. Into the last seconds of injury time. It's in our box. They score.

 

S.o.b. Penalty kicks.

 

We miss two. They miss none.

 

I drink.

 

 

 

 

 

I hate football sometimes.