John Paul College were represented in both the under 14 and First XI finals of the Uhlsport Cup played at Queensland Lions Stadium on Monday 11^th August.

The First XI were up against St. Laurence’s and drew first blood when Young Deuk Seo out paced his man on the left wing beat another and clinically placed the ball in the corner after only five minutes. JPC created the better chances in the first half but could not find their way past a defiant St. Lauries keeper who pulled off some great saves to keep his side in the game. At the other end the St. Laurence boys were finding it tough getting past a resilient Chul Kang in the centre of the JPC defense and it was only when a push in the back went unnoticed by the referee did they manage to get past Kang and their striker made no mistake and equalized on the stroke of half time.

There were to be no further goals in the second half but JPC came close with good efforts from Yong Pill Yoon, Hong Il Kim, Jordan Macleod and Michael McGregor. JPC did not deserve to lose this game but it went to "Golden Goal" extra time with both sides reduced to seven men in accordance with the competition rules where anything could happen. With so much space to work with it was clear that a result was not far away as both teams attacked furiously. JPC thought they had it in the bag when the keeper spilled a "Duc" shot but recovered to grab the ball on the line and then the woodwork saved St. Lauries as the ball rebounded off the bar on to the goal line and back into play after yet another fierce shot from Duc. It was all over a few moments later as that man Duc once again beat his man, rounded the "man of the match" keeper and casually placed the ball in the back of the net. The large contingent of JPC supporters erupted in delight and invaded the pitch to congratulate the winners of the 2003 Uhlsport Cup.

In the earlier game the under 14’s squared up to Brisbane Grammar in the ISSA Cup. JPC were dominant in the early stages and took a deserved lead in the tenth minute with a good goal from Jae Won You. JPC should have scored earlier when Dong Hyeok Lim found himself in front of goal with only the keeper to beat but his right foot shot grazed the wrong side of the post. JPC went to the break one goal to the good.

Brisbane Grammar gradually played themselves back into the game in the second half as their big defender switched to a strikers role and when JPC keeper James Logan could not hold a cross the big man was on hand to equalize with only five minutes remaining.

Seven a-side "golden goal" would decide the Cup. It only took a few minutes for the skillful JPC contingent to wrap up the contest when Man of the Match Eun Jin Park was on hand to slam home from close range from a Dong Hyeok Lim cross.

Two trophies in a day, it was a great day for John Paul College soccer.

 

BC