Metro-1 Division East 

 NY State “D’Arpino Cup”  FINAL

BW Gottschee – KORABI 1-1 (Gottschee wins 2-1 in penalties)
Goal: Albert Ruci

Yonkers, NY – June 13, 2010 – What a missed opportunity, conceding a goal in extra time.

Korabi came into this game very optimistic and it showed, as Albert Ruci scored in the 4th minute for a 1-0 lead. Korabi played well throughout the first half but with poor finishing and it kept their opponent in the game and took a one goal lead into halftime.

During halftime coach Rusty warned the players that poor finishing can come back to haunt them, and as it turned out, it did.

Korabi continued playing well in the second half but unable to score. BW Gottschee seemed to take over the game the last 15-20 minutes, dominating in midfield and attacking, but the Korabi defense were able to contain until the 94th minute.

It seemed that the referee wrongfully awarded a throw in to BW Gottschee instead of Korabi, which would have definitely ended the game since there was only 20 seconds remaining in the game. With their final possession BW Gottschee was able to score and tie the game to send it to a penalty shoot-out.

Korabi only converted 1 penalty and BW Gottschee converted 2.

Congratulations to both teams.

 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!

 Metro-1 Division East 

Astoria Lions – KORABI

May 30, 2010 – In what was supposed to be the derby final game of the season between the top two teams in the Metro 1 East Division turned out to be a forfeit by Korabi, not being able to field a team due to prior commitments for the Memorial Day weekend.

It’s a shame that the entire season goes down the drain for one mismanaged weekend by the league and players.

Congratulations to the Astoria Lions who advance to play Team Aviator, first place in the West division, for the Metro 1 Championship.

 Metro-1 Division East 

 NY State “D’Arpino Cup” Semi-Final

May 23, 2003 – Korabi traveled to Travers Island in the Bronx to play NY Athletic Club in the semi-final of the NY State D’Arpino Cup. After waiting for the required 30 minutes for the assigned game referee to show up, both teams coaches decided that they would continue and both would referee the game, one on each side of the field. Upon inspection of passes by coach Rusty, it seemed as if NY Athletic Club was trying to use unauthorized players and when they were challenged their coach decided he did not want to play the game without an official referee. Coach Rusty kept the illegal players pass and forwarded it the league along with a protest and will await a ruling.

 Metro-1 Division East 

Korabi – Mr. Dennehey’s FC 2-0 (0-0)
Goals: Abdulla Begai (2)

Bekim “Beck” Papraniku
Staten Island, NY – May 16, 2010 – As the season is coming to a close, Korabi has a good chance of taking 1st place in Metro One Division East. Four teams are in tight competition with Astoria Lions 23pts, Sporting Astoria 23pts, Mr. Dennehey’s FC 22pts, and Korabi 22pts.

Today’s match between Korabi and Mr. Dennehey’s will certainly be one of major importance. After coming off 2 straight wins, Korabi came out dominating the first half but missed several goal scoring opportunities. Korabi defense was too strong for Mr. Dennehey’s but they managed to get a shot that surely looked like it was about to go in until Korabi goalie “Ozzy” made a remarkable save to leave the first half goalless.

In the second half Korabi continued to press and had a chance to take the lead with a penalty award, no such luck for Korabi as the penalty was not converted. In the 70th minute of play, two Mr. Dennehey’s players were given red cards and this opened the door to relentless attacks by Korabi. Korabi was able to put two goals in by two assists from Manuel to goal scorer Abdulla Begai.

Korabi has made it closer to taking first place with 3 additional points and will face Astoria Lions in the last match of the league season. Korabi will first face New York Athletic Club in the NY State “D’Arpino Cup” in a semi-final match.

 Metro-1 Division East 

KORABI – NY Partizani FC 2-0
Goals: Albert Ruci, Abdulla Begai

Staten Island, NY – May 9, 2010 – Korabi wins Albanian derby with goals by Albert Ruci and Abdulla Begai.

 Metro-1 Division East 

 NY State “D’Arpino Cup 2009″

Istria – KORABI 2-4
Goals: Abdulla Begai 2, Berat Islami 2

Bekim “Beck” Papraniku
Queens, NY – May 2, 2010 – Korabi advances to the semi-final of the New York State “D’Arpino Cup” with a well deserved away win.

Playing with no substitutes, injuries and defender Bekim Papraniku playing goal keeper, this was a noteworthy win. Several players were injured, including the goalkeeper who pulled his calf muscle 10 minutes into play, but Korabi dug deep and played on. Korabi scored two goals in the first half, both by Abdulla Begai. Istria came close to scoring in this half with two golden opportunities but it was spoiled by the keeper’s magnificent saves from out of no where.

The Korabi players were feeling the injuries in the second half as Istria pressed and attacked with persistence. Istria was awarded a penalty early in the 2nd half and scored. As some Korabi players were struggling with their injuries, a brilliant solo performance by Berat Islami was able to counter attack and penetrate through the Istria defense to score and take the lead to 3-1. Shortly after, a miscommunication with the Korabi defense, led to another goal for Istria now making the game 3-2 in favor of Korabi. With still some time to play, Istria was pressing and it just seemed they were going to score at will, but Korabi’s defense packed it in and did not allow any penetration. With minutes to play, another brilliant performance by Berat Islami sealed the deal by scoring the 4th goal and winning the game 4-2.

This was a game of pure heart, determination and team work that Korabi demonstrated when facing a challenge of difficulties. Bravo!

Metro-1 Division

KORABI – VV Nieuw Amsterdam 1-1 (0-1)
Goal: Lirim Begai

Staten Island, NY – April 25, 2010 – Needing to win all of the remaining games in order to have a chance at the East division title, todays draw hampered Korabi’s hopes.

Korabi started the game strong creating an abundance of scoring opportunities but poor finishing would later haunt them as the visitors were able to score in the 30th minute in a mix-up in the goalmouth. Korabi continued attacking to no avail.

The second half was a carbon copy of the first as Korabi dominated, attacking relentlessly and finally scoring in the 75th minute on a Lirim Begai shot from 20 yards out. It was everybody forward from here on in an effort to take the lead but Korabi came up short having to settle for a draw.

Metro-1 Division

Standings

Metro-1 Division East

KORABI – Sporting Astoria 3-0 (0-0)
Goals: Lirim Begai, Albert Ruci, Abdulla Begai

Staten Island, NY – April 18, 2010 – Korabi needed to win the remaining 4 games to have a chance at winning promotion to the Second Division and they did well today beating the group leader 3-0.

Korabi played very well and could very well have won the game in the first half had it not been for the outstanding play of the Sporting Astoria goalkeeper who shut them out.

Korabi patiently continued playing well in the second half and were finally able to break the ice, with Lirim Begai scoring in the 70th minute. After braking the ice Korabi made look easy, Albert Ruci scored in the 75th minute and Abdulla Begai in the 80th minute, to complete the scoring.