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The First Ao Champions League

Posted: Dec 31 2004, 12:28 PM

Wild proves to be AO's best of the best

The inaugural AO Champions League trophy pitted Strike FC of Vilita's top league against a team that formed when Sarzonia's professional league was a "bunch of weekend footballers." Despite a wartorn country and despite some prognosticators dubbing them underdogs, the Woodstock Wild added to their domestic title haul by beating Strike FC 3-1 to capture the title.

Forward Brian Wilson was named tournament Most Valuable Player after scoring two goals and adding an assist and goalkeeper Horace Sandt made five saves to lead a stout defensive effort. The Wild improved to 14-1-3 against foreign club competition and can now focus on preparations for their matches against Hetkali Hetaki of Rejistania's national league.

"For us to be the first-ever AO Champions League cup winners is an incredible accomplishment," Coach David Bostwick said. "We had to beat some outstanding football teams to get here and we had another tough match against a strong team from Vilita."

The Wild looked like they'd be in trouble early. Midfielder Umberto Melli scored Strike FC's first goal in the 28th minute when defender Harvey Benson missed his assigned mark and Melli's onetime bid eluded Sandt to put Strike FC on top 1-0.

"The goal deflated us for the moment," Sandt said. "But [Wilson] picked everybody back up." Wilson immediately began exhorting his teammates to play with intensity and the team soon listened to the national team captain. Midfielder Valentin Kienzl knotted the match up 1-1 when he ran onto a longball by Wilson and tapped it past goalkeeper Michel Rousoi for a 1-1 draw in the 37th minute. The teams would enter the locker room drawn 1-1.

Shortly after the second half kickoff, Wilson took over. He stole an attempted back pass by Ricky Ezis and surprised Rousoi by tapping it between his legs to give the Wild a 2-1 lead in the 48th minute. Nine minutes later, defender David Leacock brought midfielder Darrell Bennett down in the 18 yard box, drawing a penalty, which Wilson cooly blasted past Rousoi for the final margin. When the final whistle sounded, the Wild's players all raced to the center circle and piled on top of each other in celebration.

"This is an incredible accomplishment," Wilson said. "It's something to give our country some pride in the midst of the war."

This post has been edited by Sarzonia on Dec 31 2004, 12:29 PM