Supercup: SC EWB/Post22 – FC EDA 5:6 n.E.

EDA claim the 1st ever Supercup! One of the oldest sporting cliches is that 'Football is a game of two halves'. Well this was never more true then in the Supercup encounter on May 18th at 18:30 between struggling FC EDA(League Winners 2015) and high-flying EWB/Post(Cup holders). On a balmy Tuesday evening the tie swung towards EWB/Post in the first half where they took the lead and then back to EDA in the second half with a deserved equaliser. Extra time ended at a stalemate and the game, decided from the penalty spot, was a nerve-wracking affair clinched by EDA 5-6 on the night. First Half EWB started the game more positively, peppering the EDA goal with shot after shot in the opening 10 minutes. The EDA defense and some quick thinking by Büschi thwarted the chances of the onrushing EWB strikers. Weathering the initial storm eventually yielded a return for the EDA strikers who came close on the counter through Regez and Flühmann. In the 35 minute MacAodha thought he had broken the deadlock when he found the net for EDA. A well floated free-kick into the box was met by the on-rushing defender who calmy headed it past the keeper but it was adjudged to be offside. EWB/Post took control again and as the clocked ticked towards halftime a miscontrolled EDA pass allowed the opposition winger to send a low cross into the box and in the frantic attempt to clear the ball the EWB/Post striker was adjudged to have been fouled and a penalty was awarded. 1-0 to EWB/Post just as halftime arrived. Second Half During the halftime team talk heads were low and every member of the team knew he was underperforming. Sometimes stern words are needed to motivate even the most dedicated players and this was one of those times. With heads held high again the EDA players took to the field again with renewed vigor. This time they were ready, like 11 warriors getting ready for battle the EDA troops watched the opposition reemerge and restarted the game at a ferocious pace. This time EDA were doing all of the pressing and the opposition were forced to defend 3 corners in a row. No goals yet but the crowd in the stadium could sense that EDA were hungry for goals. With 60 minutes on the clock a neat through ball from Theiler found Flühmann who lost his marker and scampered towards goal. One on one, he gave the keeper had no chance. Goal for EDA, 1-1 and the balance restored. Tackles were flying in and the ref was letting the game flow but when the EWB/Post striker blasted the ball at the EDA keeper after the whistle had been blown he was forced to show a 2nd yellow and EWB were down to 10 men. The next 20 minutes saw EDA take full control of the game with chance after chance but 90 minutes came and went and they still couldn't find the net. Extra time. EDA knew what had to be done, they just need to go out and do it. All credit to a resiliant EWB defence, no clear chances were created until a clever lob chip from Viana found von Ballmoos but the effort hit the side netting. First half of extra time ended with no goals despite the constant pressure from EDA. In the second half both teams were physically tiring and EDA were switching the ball from the left to right and left again, in total control but the constant probing yielded no end. Extra time could not separate the teams so this game was destined for penalties. Penalties The 5 courageous EDA ambasadors stepped forward with Goalkeeper Büschi for the penalty shoot out. EWB/Post won the toss and chose to shoot first. This was missed and the advantage turned again to EDA with Theiler, Sujee, MacAodha, Viana and finally Regez all scoring their to give EWB/Post no chance to recover. FC EDA win 6-5 on penalties. So there you have it - EDA claim the 1st ever Supercup and have EWB/Post to thank for a great encounter. This is sure to be just one of many fierce battles between these two great teams. FC EDA would also like to thank the referee, officials involved and organisers of this excellent competition.