Semi Final Score 2 v 3 loss to Turkey

Well the game situation reads a lot better than the score line. And playing in 37c heat didnt help the England cause as England (Melville City Masters) went on the field with just 10 men at the start of this clash with Turkey and clash it was.

The 10 men of England ran up against the very physical Turkey 11 (with another 8 on their bench). England only had 10 fit men and so had a huge ask put on them.

Initially we found it hard in marshalling our back line and midfield as Turkey put England under extreme pressure in the opening 15 minutes, and from this Turkey got lucky and scored their opening goal, not to be too deterred England struck back minutes later when fine link up play put Alex Kurz through to slot a fine shot into the far corner. Scores level.

Turkey again came at us, and we still had trouble containing them and just 5minutes from half time Turkey beat the offside trap to burst through to score their second.

Half time, some tired bodies but untiring spirits marshaled their team to fight on in the second half.

James Taylor who had started in goal at the beginning of the game because of a rolled ankle the week before decided he wanted a run up front and boy! Did we need his incisive runs and clinical skill up front. It didnt take long, the Turkish defense were finding it difficult to keep James and Alex at bay and during one of many runs into the Turkish 18 yard box James was upended, Penalty!! Grahame Davis stepped up and coolly sent the keeper the wrong way 2 v 2 scores level again

During the following 10 minutes left of normal time England found out as did the referee that in the event of a draw 20 minutes of extra time would be needed!

A big blow! 10 men of England had worked so hard and now were faced with the prospect of another 2 halves of football!

But England soldered on and over the next 10 minutes tried very hard to manufacture the winning goal, but it was not to be. Whistle blows signaling extra time!!

After a very short break England find themselves under more pressure from a revitalized Turkish side who were on the attack as soon as the whistle went.

And after five minutes a break through Turkey do a couple of one-twos and suddenly have sight on goal, their number 9 finds room and shoots to just move passed the out stretched hand of the England keeper Alisdair Denny (a Scottish Import) England are down 2 v 3. And thats the was it played out to the final whistle despite numerous, continuous attacks and counter attacks, calls for handballs in the Turkish 18 yard box, fouls abounding outside the box where Turkish defenders were throwing their bodies, kitchen sinks and even their own grandmothers to stop the English onslaught. But alas the 10-men England side succumb to bad fortune. Another year beckons before we can venture back to Lathlain Park to try for the 2010 World Cup

Great game played by the tireless 10 men of England. Their Captain shook all the players hands individually after the game and thank one and all for their huge efforts.

Major thanks goes to the supporters Lyn Fraser and Lorraine Murdoch and Lorrain Taylor. Shame they didnt bring their boots, things could have turned out differently?

Players: Ali Fraser, Alex Kurz, Brad Hames, Alisdair Fraser, Billy Murdoch, Rob, Alex Beugeno, Dean Illevski, James Taylor and Grahame Davis.

For details of the world cup, go to the Latin American Association of WA website

Masters Teams have started pre-season training & new members are welcome. We hope to field three sides in 2010 of varying degrees of skill & commitment. New players (& old players) can come along on Thursday nights to have a kick.

Contact Brad Hames for further details.