After the drama of the knockout stages in the AGP17 the 3rd and 4th players in the group of four advanced into a WASPA Knockout Tournament that ran alongside the Knockout stages of the AGP17. In a thrilling competition full of incidents and some truly special goals Mcnulty clinched victory to head 4,000 miles back to Perth with another title in the bag.

In the first of 2 Elimination play offs to make the Quarter Final Chris Thorn turned on a spectacular display too dispose of local junior, Andrew Kuany, in emphatic style with a 3-0 win. In the 2nd Elimination Play Off Yago Dzezlalija also put on a superb display in a 3-0 win against another local junior, Othniel Antwi, in a gripping match that really showcased the beauty of Subbuteo in its finest essence.

In the first of the Quarter Finals Ross Mcnulty came up against Jeremy Simpson and his dangerous Leicester City Tokas. After an even start, Mcnulty began to dominate play and took the lead just before half time. Simpson tried his all and cannoned a shot against the post but Mcnulty broke quickly and rasped a fine strike past the helpless keeper to go 2 up with 5mins left. Simpson did his all but could not break down the organised defence of Mcnulty’s Manchester City Tcha Arrows team and another goal was added to complete his advance into the Semi Finals. Chris Thorn took on Kostas Barbaris In the 2nd game of the Quarter finals and yet again remained water tight at the back. The veteran 74yr old dominated and took the lead just before half time with a wonderfully constructed goal of sheer patience that paid off. In the second half Kostas put Thorn under pressure but could not break down the defence and half way through the half Thorn added another beauty to join his club mate Mcnulty in the Semi Finals. In the 3rd game of the Quarter Finals, local Greek-Australian lad, Terry Koutzas, faced Melbourne girl and current Ladies No 1, Beth Eveleigh. Again another very tight match was played out with Beth remaining extremely organised at the back and they headed into half time at 0-0. Koutzas finally broke away after a sustained period of pressure midway through the second half and although Beth rallied she could not equalize, Koutzas advancing into the Semi Finals. In the 4th and final Quarter Final Richard Wilson was pitted against Yago Dzelalija and another classic encounter was evident with the first half ending 0-0 with each player going close on numerous occasions. In the 2nd half, Wilson and his dangerous Tokas smashed in an unstoppable shot that nearly took the net out and Yago crashed out after such a valiant effort in another cracker.

The first Semi Final pitted Chris Thorn against the local Terry Koutzas and after both defences were so organised the game headed into extra time, again they could not be separated and the game headed into shots. After the required 5 shots each, scores were tied at 3 each, so they went into sudden death. Thorn missed his first and Koutzas made no mistake to propel himself into the Final and deny Thorn of a possible show down with other Perth local Mcnulty. In the 2nd Semi Final Mcnulty faced Richard Wilson and his ever dangerous Tokas and after a fine quick counter attack a shot was placed into the top corner from the right too put him 1 up at half time. Wilson really went for it in the 2nd half and duly snatched a deserved equalizer with minutes left on the clock after a great strike. Into extra time and again it remained deadlocked at 1-1 and so the 2nd Semi Final was to be decided on penalties. At 2-2 after 4 penalties each Mcnulty tucked away his 5th and Wilson missed to go out after such a terrific display in the tournament.

The Final was a game littered with quick break aways and tight defensive discipline between Mcnulty & Koutzas but ultimately Mcnulty began to break down The Sydney TFC player and went in 1 up at the break. In the 2nd half Koutzas attempted to get back on level terms but a second and final killer goal landed Mcnulty his first title away from Perth.

report by Ross Mcnulty

SYDNEY AGP2017 WASPA TOURNAMENT

ELIMINATION PLAY OFFS :

3 Chris Thorn *
0 Andrew Kuany

3 Yago Dzelalija *
0 Othniel

QUARTER FINALS

3 Ross Mcnulty *
0 Jeremy Simpson

2 Chris Thorn *
0 Kostas Barbaris

1 Terry Koutzas *
0 Beth Eveleigh

1 Richard Wilson *
0 Yago Dzelalija

SEMI FINALS:

0 Terry Koutzas *
0 Chris Thorn
(Koutzas wins 6-5 on Pens)

1 Ross Mcnulty *
1 Richard Wilson
(Mcnulty wins 3-2 on Pens)

FINAL:

2 Ross Mcnulty *
0 Terry Koutzas