Canucks4Ever
Well-Known Member
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- #81
The Imperial Cup final capped off an unfortunately drab and overcast early April All Cups Day in Coquitlam on Saturday. While surely some nice, sunny weather would have improved the ambiance, a decent sized, mostly pro-Croatian crowd was on hand to take in the showpiece event for the day. Unfortunately, they did not have much to cheer about, as the game largely matched the weather and was a rather dull affair in truth. The match lacked the pizzazz and passion of the semi finals though, for true students of the game, there was something to respect about Rino's approach to the match, even if it did not offer much reason to get out of your seat. Right from the start, whether it was due to good scouting or perhaps memories from their previous encounters, it was clear that Rino's had tailored their game plan to directly combat Croatia's style of play. Tiger's high defensive line saw the flag raised against their European counterparts on multiple occasions as Croatia's preferred attacking method was to try to play in their strikers off the front before slipping balls in for their speedy wingers to chase. Between their well drilled tactics and the pace of their back line, Rino's were easily able to ensure any joy their opponents got via this attacking style was very limited. A veteran Johnny Sulentic handed himself the start in this one and while he lined up in midfield at the kick off, it was clear early on that his role was going to be more akin to that of a striker, which essentially meant Croatia were playing with two up front. Sulentic however was showing his age and was unable to provide any real attacking threat, nor was he able to be the link up man between the midfield and attackers that Croatia desperately needed to unlock the Rino's defense. He certainly did not have the pace to outrun any of the Tigers defenders and his lack of tracking back meant that the game was largely played as 11 against 10. With Sulentic absent from the midfield and Croatia also employing a deep lying midfielder it allowed Tigers an abundance of room to play in the middle of the park, upon which their possession based approach absolutely feasted. For all of the ball that they had though, Rino's were hardly creating meaningful chances. Each team had a penalty shout waived off during the opening half hour and that was about the extent of the goalmouth action. As mentioned, Croatia were having very limited joy with their counter attacking. Their best chances were coming when Rino's desire for possession based football causes them to needlessly overplay at the back, leading to turnovers and promising looking opportunities for Croatia, though none came to fruition as Tigers were able to scramble themselves to safety after their errors. Eventually Rino's possession produced the opening goal from Declan Rodriguez. After having an audacious back-heeled attempt saved earlier in the match and watching several promising attacks fizzle in the final third, Rodriguez finished nicely from a tight angle to give Rino's a halftime lead in their first Imperial Cup final.
One wondered if the second half might bring a change of tactics and, perhaps, a change in personnel for Croatia who were now chasing the game against the speedy Tigers, but they continued just as they had in the first period. An early push after the restart lead to a free kick in a dangerous area for Croatia and Sulentic showed his technical ability when he stepped up a whipped a powerful shot just over the bar as the Tigers keeper remained largely rooted to the goal line. The veteran was then unable to get around the back to a lovely ball put in across the face of the goal and you had to wonder if, despite his outstanding resume and fantastic pedigree in the VMSL, Croatia might not have been better off with having just slightly more pace up front. As Sulentic and Croatia's frustrations continued to mount they were leaving themselves more and more exposed to Rino's and their counterattacking pace; which was no doubt part of the game plan for the boys in red. Croatia were attacking with six for most of the half which was leaving them vulnerable to outnumbered rushes at the back. Only the poor finishing of Rino's attackers kept the Europeans in the game as they first hit the crossbar before producing a quality save from the Croatian keeper and then had a second goal ruled out for offside. Croatia were throwing everything and everyone forward in an attempt to make Rino's pay for their lack of ruthlessness in front of goal. The corners were mounting and Croatia had the ball in dangerous areas, but just could not get a clear sight of goal. VMSL top scorer David Malamura was expertly smothered anytime he got the ball to his feet, though, despite all this, there were still opportunities that could have changed the game. During one attack in transition, Croatia looked to have a clear path to goal only to find the aggressive Rino's keeper challenging from five yards outside of his penalty area. Without the ability to use his hands and with any potential foul all but sure to result in a sending off, it was a risky decision. Ultimately it proved to be effective, if unorthodox, as the Croatian attacker was caught by surprise and did not have the presence of mind to simply dink the ball over the keeper, or even to just put it either side of him given that he could not use his hands, nor did he think to try and dribble around him, perhaps drawing contact and putting referee Duliba in a position to make a decision. The one guilt edged opportunity, and the one that will most haunt Croatia, could also be traced back to the Rino's goalkeeper and you did not have to trace it far at all. The keeper inexplicably threw the ball directly to the feet of Johnny Sulentic at the top of the penalty area. The Croatian talisman was unmarked in acres of space and you would have thought that he, of all people, would make the Tigers rue their missed opportunities. He, though, was as surprised as anyone to find that he had the ball with a clear sight of goal and, with Rino's defenders scrambling madly to try and somehow close him down, he was unable to get the ball out of his feet and shot wide. In the end, after another handful of odd man counter attacks that were either blasted wide or died out thanks to poor decision making, Rino's finally salted the game away as the clock hit 90 minutes. The final score was 2-0 and while they may have lacked entertainment value, the Tigers were certainly worthy winners on the day. Congratulations to Rino's as the club celebrates it's first ever Imperial Cup victory!
One wondered if the second half might bring a change of tactics and, perhaps, a change in personnel for Croatia who were now chasing the game against the speedy Tigers, but they continued just as they had in the first period. An early push after the restart lead to a free kick in a dangerous area for Croatia and Sulentic showed his technical ability when he stepped up a whipped a powerful shot just over the bar as the Tigers keeper remained largely rooted to the goal line. The veteran was then unable to get around the back to a lovely ball put in across the face of the goal and you had to wonder if, despite his outstanding resume and fantastic pedigree in the VMSL, Croatia might not have been better off with having just slightly more pace up front. As Sulentic and Croatia's frustrations continued to mount they were leaving themselves more and more exposed to Rino's and their counterattacking pace; which was no doubt part of the game plan for the boys in red. Croatia were attacking with six for most of the half which was leaving them vulnerable to outnumbered rushes at the back. Only the poor finishing of Rino's attackers kept the Europeans in the game as they first hit the crossbar before producing a quality save from the Croatian keeper and then had a second goal ruled out for offside. Croatia were throwing everything and everyone forward in an attempt to make Rino's pay for their lack of ruthlessness in front of goal. The corners were mounting and Croatia had the ball in dangerous areas, but just could not get a clear sight of goal. VMSL top scorer David Malamura was expertly smothered anytime he got the ball to his feet, though, despite all this, there were still opportunities that could have changed the game. During one attack in transition, Croatia looked to have a clear path to goal only to find the aggressive Rino's keeper challenging from five yards outside of his penalty area. Without the ability to use his hands and with any potential foul all but sure to result in a sending off, it was a risky decision. Ultimately it proved to be effective, if unorthodox, as the Croatian attacker was caught by surprise and did not have the presence of mind to simply dink the ball over the keeper, or even to just put it either side of him given that he could not use his hands, nor did he think to try and dribble around him, perhaps drawing contact and putting referee Duliba in a position to make a decision. The one guilt edged opportunity, and the one that will most haunt Croatia, could also be traced back to the Rino's goalkeeper and you did not have to trace it far at all. The keeper inexplicably threw the ball directly to the feet of Johnny Sulentic at the top of the penalty area. The Croatian talisman was unmarked in acres of space and you would have thought that he, of all people, would make the Tigers rue their missed opportunities. He, though, was as surprised as anyone to find that he had the ball with a clear sight of goal and, with Rino's defenders scrambling madly to try and somehow close him down, he was unable to get the ball out of his feet and shot wide. In the end, after another handful of odd man counter attacks that were either blasted wide or died out thanks to poor decision making, Rino's finally salted the game away as the clock hit 90 minutes. The final score was 2-0 and while they may have lacked entertainment value, the Tigers were certainly worthy winners on the day. Congratulations to Rino's as the club celebrates it's first ever Imperial Cup victory!
