Newcastle (n1jimmy) 2-1 Sao Paolo (neilg)
It was David v Goliath in the first game of the Gamerdads PS3 Cup as Sao Paolo who are competing for the division 1 title came up against a Newcastle side struggling to escape the lower reaches of division 2. Who could have predicted the drama that would unfold?!
The game started much as expected, Sao Paolo quick and assured in possession threatening early on and forcing a few corners and plenty of desperate clearances. The odd break that Newcastle had was quickly snaffled up - the home team seemed pretty nervy. Very much against the run of play, Newcastle went ahead, Best swerving around two defenders before finishing clinically from just inside the box.
After scraping through til half-time, Newcastle caught Sao Paolo cold just after the break - this time Ba stuttering through a couple of challenges before dispatching the ball low into the far corner.
This signaled the beginning of the onslaught - 40 minutes (which seemed like 40 real minutes!) of wave after wave of Sao Paolo attacks, each time possession sneaked back and booted down the field. The only chink of light for Newcastle was some controversy on 70 minutes as a long clearance found Best all alone up front - he pushed it past the keeper and appeared to be brought down but nothing from the referee.
Finally the Brazilian pressure paid, and the Geordie defence folded after Marcon riverdanced through on 77 minutes then coolly finished.
Fifteen frantic minutes followed, Newcastle tried to retain possession but the Sao Paolo midfield were fighting like tigers. The turnaround seemed complete when Marcon danced through again on 82 minutes, but he was denied by an incredible save from Krul.
A few more hefty boots downfield and the final whistle went! Epic scenes for the underdogs as one of the cup favourites crashed out at their hands. Very well played and hanks for the game Neil, and for the very sporting congrats afterwards in the face of my over-exuberant excitement at winning.
