Results: Firsts 6/6/10 CSL DIv 1 FINAL

CSL Final pics by Ian Thomson

Matteo Lucky Strike sinks BRFC
story by Jay Mwamba and First Touch

Ex- MetroStar Jeff Matteo snatched a late winner against Barnstonworth Rovers at Icahn Stadium last Sunday to end Pancyprian Freedoms’ six-year wait for the Cosmopolitan Soccer League (CSL) title.
The Greek-Cypriots nicked the 2010 First Division championship match 1-0.
Matteo, a midfielder, who had stints with the Columbus Crew and the New York/New Jersey MetroStars [now Red Bull] in MLS, scored from long range in the 78th minute to hand Pancyprian their sixth CSL championship.
“After a long season it’s the best way to end it as champions,” said Pancyprian GM George Halkidis, whose season is far from over.
“Cheers to Stavros [Zomopoulos] and his Barnstonworth boys but there was no way we’d go home without the trophy. We are the team that brings out the best in every opponent we face and it makes us feel good about who we are as a team and as an organization.
Zomopoulos, Rovers’ coach, was gutted by the loss. He argued that his side, who edged Lansdowne Bhoys 4-3 on penalties in the playoffs, was the better team on the day.
“Heartbreaking to lose a championship I felt we deserved on the day, on a 40 [yard] misdirected, wind-aided [shot] minutes from time,” he moaned. “Our players were magnificent, as they have been all season long, and if our goal was not disallowed they would be champions.”
Zomopoulos went on: “Football is like that — the best team does not always win, we had the possession, we had the chances, we failed to convert our opportunities. They had the luck and it was all they needed on the day.
“We are already looking forward to next year. Congratulations to Pancyprians. We wish them a successful run at the US Open Cup and the [Manning] Cup Final. ”