Cosmopolitan Soccer League
Metro-1 Division East
NY State “D’Arpino Cup” Semi-Final
NY Athletic Club – KORABI 2-3 (2-1)
Goals: Ervin Makishti, Albert Ruci, Darien
Bekim “Bek” Papraniku
Travers Island, Bronx, NY – June 6, 2010 – Korabi faced a formidable opponent, New York Athletic Club, in the semi-final match of the New York State “D’Arpino Cup”.
NYAC has won this cup in prior years but Korabi was not going to take any part in letting them attempt to win another Cup this year.
Although Korabi played with no substitutes, they started strong and determined in the first half by scoring the first goal, by Ervin Makishti. NYAC was able to bounce back and score twice to take a 2-1 lead into halftime.
Ten minutes into the second half, Lirim Begai cleverly stole the ball from a NYAC defender and crossed the ball to Albert Ruci who scored a spectacular header. In the 70th minute of play, Lirim Begai once again provided an assist when he found Darien on top of the box who blasted a 25 yard shot over the NYAC goalkeeper, making the score 3-2 for Korabi.
Realizing they had no substitutes, all of the Korabi players were inspired by Coach Rusty Papraniku’s instructions and half-time speech allowing them to play with every last drop of energy left until the final whistle.
Well done, well deserved!
On to the Cup Final against BW Gottschee!