Last Minute Heroics

Fidjus Terra took to the field on September 8, 2007 to battle Dinamo di Brava at PIC Field in Brockton in the second round of the NELASA Cup. Having lost out in the first round of the NELASA Playoff, Fidjus Terra, honed in on a last chance to win a trophy in the NELASA Soccer League in 2007.
At the end of the first half, the game ended with the teams tied at 0-0. Fidjus Terra increased its intensity in the second half and came close to scoring several times. Walter hit the cross bar and DJ Adilson missed nearly from the heart of the penalty spot. Dinamo’s game plan was to counter-attack using Carlos Vaz as their point man.
Nearing the end of the game, Dinamo was reduced to 10 players through a direct red card to left back, Kim, shown by the referee. Dinamo sufferd another setback as their key players, Ze di Praia and Nati labored in and out of the game with an apparent injuries to knee and abdomen, accordingly. With no one on the bench available for substitution, they were forced to continue on.
In a surprise counter-attack, Dinamo had its only clear shot on net and they capitalized as Fidjus Terra defense was caught off guard. With 10 minutes left, it seemed to all, that Fidjus Terra’s season would end with a disappointing defeat. Fidjus Terra’s Head Coach, Nelo, made a desperate substitution with 5 minutes to go in the game by taking out Julinho and sending in Zico who had just arrived at the field. Nelo sent instructions ordering a 4-3-3 formation with a last attempt at trying for a score.
The decisions paid off as Zico earned a corner kick from the right side of the attack with two minutes left. Cassio sent in a cross into the area finding DJ Addilson who headed the ball into the net. The goooalllll was celebrated by the hundreds of fans who remained put awaitin a miracle. A minute later, Narciso, a second half substitute had a magical individual effort on bottom corner of the area and crossed a supperb ball into the path of Zico who headed in Fidjus Terra’s second goal. The croud took to the field to celebrate with Zico and the rest of the team.
Dinamo had an amazing spat of bad luck and suffered two goals within the span of 5 minutes. They have no one but themselves to blame for this stunning defeat. Fidjus Terra escaped with a victory on this day, but they left a lot to be desired on the field and they will need to step up their play in order to advance in the next round when they meet the winner of Tabanka vs. Alianca CV.
By S.A.
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