25 May 2003(Sun)

"It was something from God, maybe! Only in soccer is this possible."

These were the words last Sunday of Nagoya Grampus Eight's Slovenian manager, Zdenko Verdenik.

He was talking about the last-minute winning goal scored by his Austrian World Cup forward Ivica Vastic to beat Vegalta Sendai 2-1 at Toyota Stadium.

The match was billed as Vastic's final home game for Grampus.

His farewell match, before being released by the club, against Verdenik's wishes, should have been at Iwata Stadium against Jubilo on Saturday night, May 24.

That was the plan.

But when Vastic was shown the yellow card against Sendai after 76 minutes, it meant he would be suspended for the Jubilo match because it was his third caution of the season.

With 14 minutes to go, Vastic suddenly realised this would be his last match in the Grampus red.

The score was still 1-1 when the game entered the third and final minute of injury time.

In a hectic finish, Grampus were awarded a free kick some 30 meters from the Sendai goal. Ueslei touched the ball to Vastic, and he drifted to his right across the face of goal to create a sharper angle for the shot. Then he let fly with his right foot.

The ball ended up in the corner of the net, and Sendai had only enough time to kick off again before the final whistle blew.

What an incredible finish!

I know a journalist is supposed to remain impartial in the press seats, and try not to show too much emotion one way or another.

But on this occasion, when the net bulged and the crowd roared, I have to admit I threw both arms into the air in celebration.

Not to celebrate a win for Nagoya, but to celebrate the wonder of football.

As Verdenik said, the situation looked impossible.

But Vastic did the unexpected, and his short career in Nagoya was over with an unforgettable moment.

This is the magic of football all around the world. Last Sunday, it just happened to take place at Toyota Stadium.

ends