GS United Commitment to Excellence

Substitutions became a big part of the chess match with close marking in effect. Woodbridge had defeated GS in league play a couple of weeks earlier and came into the final with a huge advantage in terms of championship experience. The club had won the Ontario cup before and even former GS players Rene Martin and Peter Firebrace had won the Cup with Woodbridge Azzurri and Scarborough Azzurri respectively. However, while are still debates to the reason Woodbridge Coach did not start him you have to give GS all the credit. Scratchy was a part of their preparation so it was just a physiological blow because he did play while only for limited minutes through no fault of the coach. GS United back four of Tony Marshall, Courtney Brown, Ron Belfon, and Jermaine Coleman were compact and plugged all holes by sending potential danger to the out- side and away from their net. The battle quickly moved to the middle of the field and GS offense with the Kouzmanis brothers of Tom and Gus commanded special attention. Set pieces were seemed the way to score a goal but both defenses were also up for the task.

Tom Kouzmanis fires the winning shot as Woodbridge Azzurri defender fails to block

Woodbridge helpless goalkeeper watches Tom Kouzmanis shot enters net

. The scoreless game went into overtime with FIFA’s “Golden Goal” rule in effect and with it, sudden death for the team conceding the first goal. GS Coach John Williams won the tactical battle with timely substitutions compared to some questionable changes by Woodbridge coach. No sooner as he sub “Scratchy” into the game he took Firebrace off a short time later.

Scratchy’s frustration showed when he retaliated and was red carded together with the player who fouled him. That is when the pendulum swung fully in GS’s favor. It set the stage for Tom Kouzmanis to unleash a left footed shot into the far post. The goal gave GS United a 1-0 win and the Ontario Cup championship 2005.

Woodbridge Azzurri defender dejectedly retrieves ball as GS players celebrate their first Ontario Cup Gold

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