Game 39  (WMC-WHI) 10-18-298

Game 39 - Westermarc - Whitlam (Tom Koh Trophy):
 
IVEFA annouces the results of today's match between Westermarc and
Whitlam in the inaugural Tom Koh Trophy tournament,
played in Kikikira:

Date 10-18-298

The Technical Information:

Final score: WESTERMARC 4 - WHITLAM 3
Played in: Kikikira, Westermarc (Golden Matong),
attendance: 100,010
Referee: Barry Vassiliev (Eastern Zartania)
Goals: Blacklock (WHI, 22.), Armstark (WHI, 30.), Fang (WMC, 40.),
Blacklock (WHI, 50.), Foit (WMC, 59.), Foit (WMC, 68.), Cirrus (WMC,
85.)
Yellow cards: none
Substitutions: Chen for Gensmer (WHI, 45.), Miyowe for Luiki (WMC, 45.),
J. Fooey for Steissl (WMC, 50.), Ibanez for Armstark (WHI, 70.)

Match commentary:

Whitlam storms ahead, but Westermarc fights back to hand Zartania the
Trophy!

This one was another action-packed game with plenty of goals, and good
showings from both teams.  It looked as if Whitlam was going to pull off
a runaway upset win in the first portion of the game, as two quick goals
put them ahead 2-0, to the great concern of the home crowds.  But they
kept firing their team on, and fortunately hero N. P. Fang scored the
connection goal before the break.  Psychologically, this was very
important for the Westermarcians.  It was also Fang's first goal for
Westermarc.

Coach Chekkor visibly adjusted the strategy of Westermarc for the second
half to more agressive, but at first, that backfired, as a quick counter
by the Dragons put them up by two again after a goal by Blacklock in the
50. minute.  But Westermarc did not give up, and in fact launched a
great comeback battle.  Especially impressive was their snaking passing
play, an attacking style that they had shown before, where the offensive
seems to wind its way through the opposition with quick passed and side
changes, like a snake.  Foit was in the right place at the right time
twice, and put Westermarc even finally in the 68. minute.  Now the fans
were even louder, demanding another goal.  So the Westermarc team threw
in everything they had, and with a good bit of luck, Cirrus was there to
head in a long pass from J. Fooey, just five minutes from the end!  It
was one of the most furious chases a team had mounted to win, after
being down by two twice in the game.

This win now means that Eastern Zartania is the inaugural Tom Koh Trophy
champion, as many suspected would be the case after yesterdays game.
The final table:

1. Eastern Zartania     1-1-0 3-1 +2 4
2. Westermarc           1-0-1 4-5 -1 3
3. Whitlam              0-1-1 4-5 -1 1

The KTZ team was present at this game, and they were given the cup
afterwards.  All three teams made the rounds in the sold out Golden
Matong, a fitting and moving moment for the conclusion of the first
Trophy!