The Final that went down to the wire! Hard fought game that had it all, Goals, Saves, Penalties, Cards, Free Kicks, Corners, you name it!

I am reporting about the Final of the NRF Men's Knockout Cup 2022 between Onehunga Mangere United Prestige M4 vs Papatoetoe AFC Reserves Team, played on 1st October 2022, in rainy conditions at Papakura’s McLennan Park. The sandy pitch held up though, even with continuous rain.

A much hyped game and what a turnaround by the Papatoetoe Reserves Team, who lost to Papakura Reserves Team, a week ago, by 4-0. I don’t think the odds were favouring Papatoetoe Reserves Team at all but the Bookies would have made plenty of money.

Even the Referee of the match took an extra five minutes to come out in the rain to take charge, while the boys waited on the side-lines. Eight minutes from the starting whistle, the Onehunga side opened up the tally. Already feeling the pressure from last week’s loss and now 1 nil down in the knockout finals. Answers were sought. Papatoetoe forwards were helpless. But the opening came and cometh the hour, cometh the man! In the 14th minute of the first half, Bastien, the veteran fullback from the Papatoetoe Reserves Team, headed in the equaliser. This lifted the spirits of the boys, who were today wearing the away kits, Black Strips. The Bah! Bah! Black Sheep hammered in their second goal a minute later, again with the help of Bastien.  It looked as if Bastien was going to be the saviour in the finals. Delighted and joyous, the Papatoetoe Reserves supporters cheered Bastien along and wanted more.

Twenty two minutes quickly passed in the 1st half and three goals scored so far, in this jaw gripping Final. Papatoetoe Reserves Team leading 2-1.  A hand ball in the box meant an opportunity for the opposition to equalise! Prayers were singing and Shivnesh Chetty, Papatoetoe’s ace goal-keeper punched the ball away and saved it. The ball went as far as the mid-way mark and collected quickly by the Onehunga side, who sprinted back to the Papatoetoe goal line and slammed home the equaliser. Some 31 minutes had passed and first change for Papatoetoe Reserves were star studded, Ariel and Reinal. These two had previously scored immaculate goals for the team but today was not their day. Straight away, Onehunga scored their 3rd goal and just two minutes after that, scored their 4th goal. Thirty three minutes in the first half, and the men in Black were behind 4-2. The substitutes were quickly reversed in the 2nd half.

At the end of the first 45 minutes and just like the weather, the march back to the dressing room was very dull and gloomy. The ‘Coaching Manual’ was thrown out the window when Captain Brent Julius, inspired by the Manager’s ways to address the team, gave his sermon. Some real hard words flew out and lifted the Papatoetoe team spirits! The Team rallied behind the Captain, who asked them to give it all.

Back on the field for the second half, Jason, the star right link for the men in black, hammered in the 3rd goal in the 63rd minute of play. Ryan Sharma, who just couldn’t stay quiet in the field, scored the fantastic equaliser in the 77th minute. Now the Bah! Bah! Black Sheep were talking. Finals after all and what a comeback! Both teams equally placed with four goals each, were hunting and searching for the spaces but none were coming. Vishant, Shiv Achari and Fahmi were standing like tall brick walls in midfield, backed by Oscar, Bastien, Captain Brent and the most powerful Valu at the back. The injured tiger, Shiv Chetty in goal yelled instructions like a commander in charge! A draw would mean extra time. The Papatoetoe Reserves Team, after some awesome set play found the opening and sprinted in the opposition box only to be fouled! Penalty!!! Hey! This was close to the 90th minute mark of the game. Who else but Axel, the naughty number 10 for the men in black, placed the ball on the mark and hammered in the winner! Three trumpets were blown by the referee and wow! The Papatoetoe Reserves had done it! 5-4 final score in what could be termed as a final worthy to pay and watch! Gripping 90 minutes of football at its best! There were no lazy bodies in the field from the Papatoetoe side. Simply sheer determination! The pride to wear the Papatoetoe Badge was evident and the fight was awesome. Well done boys!!! You are the true Champions of the Papatoetoe AFC club!

Coach: PRADEEP KUMAR

Manager & Assistant Coach: ATESH SHANDIL

Article added: Thursday 22 December 2022