On a slightly raining Saturday afternoon, the big day had finally arrived. Cup Final and a chance for GAS to retain the trophy they won in dramatic circumstances just 12 months previous.
As with the previous year, the day began with a team bonding meal, this time held at sponsors lair Deutches Eck where a traditional Italian lunch was served alongside speeches and a ‘friendly’ team bonding exercise.
After some light drizzle just before kick off the pitch was looking a little worse for wear, compared to the surroundings with the game a sell out amongst supporters. Rumours were circulating on social media beforehand that police were outside investigating a possible black-market ticket scandal, such was the demand for a seat at this illustrious event.
On to the game itself, TDL kicked off and it was a strange opening 10-15 minutes with no team really asserting themselves to begin with and the ball spending much of the time in the air. However, it was clear from the beginning that GAS were winning most of the aerial duals and this was how the first goal came about. A high ball from Tommy was flicked down the line into space by Julian for John to latch on to and square back for Julian who continued his run into the box and turned inside his defender before sliding into the bottom left hand corner. Perfect start and a real nerve settler for the boys!
The goal was a shock to the system for TDL and the momentum of the game changed dramatically, GAS were ahead at this point, but without playing particularly well. The second goal didn’t take long to arrive however and it was that man again Julian who got it, but it’s not a goal the TDL keeper will want to see twice after letting the ball slip under his fingers. A couple of changes were made as the industrious (only saying this because it was his birthday) Damian was replacement by ‘Mama Mia’ Lorenzo, with GAS having plenty of options from the bench and able to rotate at will.
It was 3-0 before HT as another GAS break down the right hand side ended with a square ball across the box for Thomas to ever, eveeer so slowly roll the ball into the back of the open net and send the boys in black into HT in a comfortable position in the final.
Despite being in a good position at the break, the events of last year had not been forgotten by many and the HT message was to not make the same mistake as Planet, this was not over yet.
It was a slow start to the second half for GAS who took some time to get going and whilst they didn’t have many chances, TDL were slowly growing back into the contest. The second half continued without many real chances of note for either side before Julian finally got his hattrick and sealed and excellent performance and the sealed the trophy for GAS, again!
The final 10-15 minutes saw a raft of changes and an opportunity for all the lads to get a run out as the game drifted into a final score of GAS 4 – 0 TDL.
Spark wild scenes on the pitch and the touchline as chants of CHAMPIONESSSS rang out around the pitch and through the stands. Some even say the noise triggered Thailand’s first ever earthquake!
The trophy went home with GAS for a second year after one of the most professional performances of the season.
MOM – Carl ‘CT5’ Turner (merchandise available through his agent Frodo)