Although a match of no real imortance for the Cosmos with regard to standings, a win was needed
for the visitors so that they could maintain their run to the finals. Having heard a good
result in Sydney earlier in the day, a win here would move West Adelaide into the Top 6. The
Cosmos were maintaining their team from the Marconi clash, except for Wade coming in for the
suspended Kelly. The visitors were without important players, Robbie Hooker, Milosevic and
Tibaldi. These teams had met 4 times before this season and the books were even.
Canberra opened up with a move that put the local crowd on the edge of their seats. Richard
Watson kicked the ball towards the goal line to get it away from the danger zone. Anthony
Giannasca decided to pick it up and the referee correctly ruled this as a 'pass to the keeper'.
An indirect free kick at the edge of the six-yard box was awarded. The ball was passed to
Airton Andrioli but his blast bounced off Giannasca and clear.
During the rest of the first half there numerous chances to both teams to open the scoring. The visitors
saw Nathan Day head towards goal only for Giannasca to save well. Day had another chance when
he volleyed just wide. For the Cosmos, Lachlan Armstrong had more of the chances. The first
occured when Richard Watson waltzed through the middle and sent a smart through ball. Lachlan's
low shot was saved well. His next chance came when Tony Lemezina immitated Watson,but the shot
went just wide. Finally in extra time, a one-two between John Koch and Peter Mazis saw Koch deliver
the ball into the middle of the box. Armstrong's overhead went just over the bar. Armstrong
was not the only one to have a chance or two with Michael Musitano missing two chances over
the bar.
The second half continued as the first did with both sides having chances and not putting
them away. Armstrong had another good chance early after a through ball from Paul Dee, but he
sent the ball into the side netting. Nathan Day had a long shot well saved by Giannasca. Then
in the 56th minute a corner to the visitors from the right was punched out by Giannasca and
landed at the feet of substitute Jim Keramidas who's shot went through the pack and into the
goal.
Alike the match against Marconi, Canberra coach Mike Lyons pushed his backs up into the attack
in search of the equalizer. There were a number of chances, but none of these made it into the
goal. Musitano, Castro, Paul Wade and Perinovic all had a go. A few minutes before time Jim
Tsekinis broke free and nearly scored to seal the match for the visitors, but a great save
by Giannasca kept his team in with a chance. The last attempt at goal came to last Saturday's
hero Armstrong, except this time his shot was saved by the keeper.
Compared to the last two games, those against Olympic and Marconi, this was a scrappy game. Neither
team really deserved to win, but the result suited a happy Raul Blanco who's team is still in their
with a chance for the finals.