Hellenic United traveled to Conkey Forest Preserve on June 14th to square off against Gazelle. HU was looking to get back on track after losing what looked like a sure win and dropping points to Wisla in heart breaking fashion the week before. HU entered this match with seven players out due to injury. Coach Andy Sotiropoulos was forced to call up Sargon Matti from HU White for this match in order to have at least one substitute on the bench
Things once again started off in promising fashion for the visitors, as Zekail Gazafer scored his first goal in HU colors at the 20 minute mark with a beautiful one time volley that found the upper 90 after a great solo effort and feed by Goran Guzina. The rest of the first half was a see saw affair. Gazelle peppered HU keeper David Barszczowski with several long range shots outside of the penalty area that went over the crossbar. HU missed a golden opportunity to make it 2-0 a few minutes before halftime when Elias Litos' was denied on a bullet from about 10 yards out. The half ended with HU holding a 1-0 lead.
The second half was all Gazelle. The home side missed several excellent opportunities before finally tying the match at the 75 minute mark. An ill advised attempted back pass by one of HU's midfielders saw Gazellle's speedy center forward pinch in for the interception and ensuing breakaway. The Gazelle striker made no mistake with this opportunity, as he beat the onrushing HU keeper low to his left hand side, making it 1-1. Gazelle pressed on for the go ahead goal, but to no avail, as a valiant HU defense held on until the final whistle to come away with one point.
"We got lucky today" commented HU coach Andy Sotiropoulos after the match. "Gazelle could have easily bagged at least two more goals today. We're satisfied with the one point, all things considered.
We've hit a very difficult patch here with all the injuries. I'm not sure if I've ever seen anything like it. Seven of our eighteen rostered players out with assorted ailments. It's damn near impossible to win in this league with that many injuries. That's why I feel fortunate to have come away with at least one point. I put a totally makeshift side out there today. Several guys out of position, at least one suffering from a bad back, and two others that really weren't fit for 90 minutes. It was pretty evident in the second half that fatigue started setting in. We started making mistakes that we normally don't. When your most reliable players start making mental mistakes, then rest assured, fatigue has set in.
My hats off to Gazelle, though. They're a smart team, saw what was happening, and tried to to take advantage. They kept finding space behind our back four down the flanks. We're simply lucky they didn't capitalize. Good thing that we had Alen (Malkoc) playing sweeper. He had a monster match today. Saved us several times. In fact, I thought the entire back four played well. Miki (Miralem Mahmutovic) more than held his own in his first game of the year at center back. Neno (Nermin Dautovic) did a fine job at fullback, especially considering that he's a midfielder and playing with a bad back. Jovica (Nanic) is Jovica. He always gives me a solid effort.
Hopefully we're a little healthier for Warta this Friday."
Game Lineup:
Barszczowski-Nanic, Dautovic, Mahmutovic, Malkoc-Abraham, Villanueva, Gezafer, Guzina-Litos, Acamovic (Matti)
Game Summary:
1:0 Zekail Gazefer (Goran Guzina)
78' Firas Abraham