KOPA under 16 3 Eastern Junior Alliance Representative 1
3-1
On a bitterly cold night at Haringey Borough FC, a big crowd came out to see a 21-man strong KOPA under 16’s side take to the field for only their second ever game against a well organised representative side from the Eastern Junior Alliance.
The game started off evenly with both teams having an equal share of the possession, but it was the Eastern Junior Alliance who had the first chance of the game when a free kick from outside the box was not cleared properly and landed to an EJA player near the penalty spot, who saw his shot go wide.
The first goal of the game came after 5 minutes when a good through ball from the EJA midfield, split the KOPA defence and despite goalkeeper Loukas Nicolaides making a good one-on-one save, the ball fell straight back to the striker who put it away cleanly. Despite the early setback, KOPA kept their heads and continued to attack the EJA goal and striker Andreas Demetriou came closest when his shot went wide. It only took 3 minutes for KOPA to bring the game level again when a free kick from left back Nick Jacovides was not cleared properly and in spite of the EJA goalkeeper making two very good saves he could not stop Andreas Kommodikis from putting the ball away nicely.
The half continued much in the way it began with both teams playing well and having their share of the possession and chances. A long distance effort that fell just wide from goal scorer Kommodikis was the home team’s best chance and though the visitors were playing some good football, centre backs Aris Savva and Fivos Zavros were solid at the back and made some important last ditch tackles to keep the game at 1-1 going into the dressing-room at half time.
Hat trick hero Andreas Komodikis
The second half started off quickly with both teams having chances early on. KOPA’s best effort came when substitute Jack Demetriou intercepted the ball and played in Stephan Stefanides who shot narrowly wide. This incident however, would set the tone for the rest of the half. Having won a free kick just outside the box, Jacovides whipped in a perfect in-swinging cross and first half goal scorer Kommodikis saw his glancing header fly over the goalkeeper and into the net to give the home team a 2-1 lead.
KOPA could have been behind straight away were it not for a fantastic triple save from goalkeeper Nicolaides and the continued unyielding defending from the KOPA backline. The home team were well organised and even with EJA having bigger, stronger players in central midfield, KOPA’s Jake Hadji was relentless the whole game not allowing them to play the ball around or settle on the ball, and due to this EJA were held to only a couple of half chances during the second half.
The final goal of the game came when goalkeeper Nicolaides played a long ball down the field to striker Stephan Stefanides who then put played a fantastic pass to Andreas Kommodikis and the winger put the ball away to complete his hat-trick.
KOPA stayed strong for the rest of the game and although EJA hitting the bar in the final minutes, the home team held on to record their first ever, thoroughly deserved, victory.
There was no question that the Man of the Match was hat-trick hero Andreas Kommodikis, but special mention also goes out to a number of other players. Goalkeeper Loukas Nicolaides who made some fantastic one-on-one saves in the KOPA goal, as well as an excellent triple save shortly after KOPA scored their second. Centre backs Aris Savva and Fivos Zavros were strong at the back forcing the visitors into almost no chances in both halves, and also central midfielder Jake Hadji and striker Stephan Stefanides who regardless of the fact they played the entire ninety minutes did not stop running the throughout the game.
All in all it was a wonderful night for the KOPA under 16’s, who in only their second ever game showed the organisation of a team that had been playing together for years. It should also be mentioned that a lot of the players came from KOPA youth teams including Omonia youth and AEK youth, showing that the community is getting right behind the youth of today in developing their abilities and giving them a platform to play on.
KOPA would like to thank the Eastern Junior Alliance players and management for their participation in the night’s events and I’m sure everyone who was at the game would like to congratulate both teams on not only playing a fantastic game of football but also showing an incredible level of maturity throughout the entire game. Speaking the officials after the game, they said it was one of the nicest games they have ever officiated in and this was evident in no bookings being brandished, few free kicks being awarded for foul play and no fights or arguments from either team.
KOPA manager Tommy Loizou and EJA manager Colin Cardines and their staff should be very proud of their teams, and I feel this is only a sign of things to come for the KOPA under 16’s.
Report and Photos: Alex Athanasi
