Cosmopolitan League

Standings, results and other stats

Astoria Gaels pulled off the great escape last Sunday, halting FC Japan’s five-match unbeaten run with a stunning 6-4 win at the Verazzano Sports Complex that kept the Irishmen in the Second Division.

Manhattan Celtic, who kicked off against NIFA at Randalls Island facing relegation, too, also avoided the drop by eking out a 2-1decision.

The two results consigned Omer Hakramaj’s once formidable Koha side to Metro Div. II soccer next season. Koha and Gaels both finished with 21 points, but the latter have a superior goal difference.

“It feels great. Mission accomplished,” said Gaels’ relieved player-manager Gerry O’Brien.

O’Brien led by example against the hitherto hot Japanese, netting both the opener and the last goal in an exciting affair.
He drew first blood in the 20th minute but Japan were back in it when Ryu Tsuneizumi (25th) struck the first of a superb hat trick. Tsuneizumi (40th) also canceled out Mike Molloy’s (36th) effort as the two sides went into the break tied 2-2.

Then Gaels took over. They reeled in four straight on resumption through Mike Doherty and Tommy Lynch (two) and O’Brien again to take a 6-2 lead.

To their credit, Japan refused to raise the white flag, Ogi Ikematsu (80th) and Tsuneizumi (85th) pulling two back before the final whistle blew.

Gaels (6-7-3, 21) finished seventh in the nine-team Second Division, ahead of Koha and last place Roosevelt Island International (1-12-3, 6).

After the match, Gaels named right fullback/winger Damien Ward, who hails from County Down, as Manager’s Player of the Year.

CELTIC SQUEAKER
On Randalls Island, Ed McPherson (40th) clinched the winner for Celtics after NIFA, formerly SC Ukraine’s reserve side, had pegged back Michael Thomas’ opener (25th).

Like his Gaels counterpart, Celtic player-boss Ian Woodcock had reason to smile after his club’s flirtation with relegation.
“We left it to the last game last season, too,” he said. “The boys got much stronger at the end and held their own. They’re a good bunch of lads.”

How tight was the competition in Division Two this season?
Had they lost to NIFA, Celtic would have been relegated along with Roosevelt, but the win upped their stats to 6-6-4 (22), 12 points adrift of champions Central Park Rangers ‘White’ and good enough for a fourth place finish.

RESERVE KINGS
In a tale of two teams, Celtic’s ‘B’ side claimed the Second Division reserve title with a 3-0 romp over NIFA’s bench players.
Woodcock, Barry Connell and Michael Thomas tallied for Celtic (12-1-3, 39) who bested the Central Park Ranger ‘Red’ reserves by two points.

SHAMROCK RULE
Shamrock’s slow climb back to prominence in the Cosmopolitan League has began.
The Rocks smashed SC Eintracht 4-0 at the Metropolitan Oval to clinch the Metro Div. II (West) title and earn promotion to Metro Div. 1, a year after opting to regroup in the CSL’s de facto fourth division from the upper echelon.
Paddy Geraghty (51st pen.), Stephan Douglas (60th, 66th pen.) and Ciaran Moloney connected for the Robbie Walsh-drilled Queens Irish.

Shamrock 8-3-4 (31) claimed the title on goal difference over long time leaders New York City Infinity All Stars, who also amassed 31 points from a 10-5-1 record.
“This is the first time the club has won the Metro title. It’s a huge boost to the club,” said Walsh.

OMM VICTORY
Marcos Nacimentos and Leo Qulli’s one-two punch for OMM SC kayoed Metro Div. II bottom side CD Iberia 2-1.

PLAYERS WANTED
Their future secure – for the next season at least -- in Division Two, Manhattan Celtic are now looking for a few good men with soccer skills.

Throughout summer, the Celts will be holding tryouts Saturday evenings from 6 pm at Chelsea Pier 40’s rooftop field.
Call Ian Woodcock at (201) 207-5994 or write to ian414@aol.com for more information.
 

FirstTouch is published weekly by David Witchard
©2006, David Witchard/FirstTouch Online

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