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| Pirih penalty quashes Qurt-Qonnys |
The entirety of the Xpert Arena held its collective breath as long-serving NK Svoboda defender Daniel Pirih made what can seem like a never ending walk from the centre circle to the twelve yard spot and placed the ball down upon it. The 25 year old, who was one of just three players Samlegend had deemed worthy of keeping from the original squad he inherited last January, had been a rock at the back all game. A goalline clearance amongst what seemed like uncountable amounts of crucial headers and interceptions had helped his side take their Division 4 opponents through extra time and into penalties. He had played three bars above his usual skill and given everything to the cause - it was a wonder he had the strength left to make the walk to the penalty spot.
Three penalties prior to his, goalkeeper Felipe Bento of Qurt-Qonnys FC had lashed his effort onto the right post and away, as yet the first and only miss of the shootout. The game had been deadlocked since the 64th minute, when a toe-poke from Karl-Gustaf Algö after a goalmouth scramble cancelled out Vane Brezec's neat finish on the stroke of half time - but Pirih had the chance to win the game for his side with this one kick.
He placed the ball down on the spot, and without looking up from the ball, took five methodical, deliberate steps back and took a deep breath. As he glanced at the goal for the first time and caught a glimpse of the keeper's smiling, confident face, he knew that the opposition goalie was well aware that he was out on his feet. The whistle blew, and he began a run up which felt like it took years to complete, before finally striking the ball with power to the goalkeeper's left. Bento stood frozen where he was, watching the ball fly past him almost in slow motion, as it struck the crossbar... and dropped down over the line into the net! NK Svoboda has knocked out their adversaries from two league above and made the fourth round of the Final League Cup for the first time in their history.
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