Soccer: Calm at shootout proves justified

Photo / Hawkes Bay Today

Bay Olympic coach Shayne Knowles had fewer nerves than most as his team faced up to a penalty shootout in yesterday's Chatham Cup semifinal versus Caversham in Dunedin.

The Auckland club were down to 10 men after their captain was sent off midway through the second half, so Knowles was happy to hear the final whistle at the end of extra time.

"I was more confident in the shootout than during extra time - I just wanted to get to the end of it. We practise penalties a lot; we have some great penalty takers and a top goalkeeper."

His faith was justified as Bay Olympic custodian Danny Robinson saved two penalties. His team slotted a 4-1 shootout win, after scores were locked 3-3 after 120 minutes.

Knowles felt victory was deserved but acknowledged the tenacity of the home side. "We had more clear-cut chances than they did but they wouldn't go away - they kept coming."

Blockhouse Bay won the cup in 1970, but it will be a historic first final for the amalgamated club. They will face the winner of today's semifinal between three-time winners Miramar Rangers and 2008 champions East Coast Bays.

Knowles would prefer to face the North Shore team, because they are more familiar, and admits the final on September 5 at North Harbour Stadium will be a dream come true.

Yoji Tanabe opened the scoring in the fifth minute but Tom Jackson drew the home side level after a Robinson mistake. A dangerous tackle saw Olympic captain Craig Wylie dismissed in the 66th minute but Tanabe got his second three minutes later.

Caversham's Ant Hancock netted in the 88th minute to send the match into extra time. Seamus Ryder gave the Southern team a 3-2 lead four minutes into the extra period before substitute Richard Beetson scored the final goal in the 101st minute.