6 Nov 2008(Thu)

November 4, 2008: When the champagne corks had stopped popping and the fizz had finally fizzled out at the National Stadium on Saturday, the result of the Nabisco Cup final was quite logical and even predictable.

Yet it was still a surprise, at least for me.

I really thought S-Pulse were going to win this one. They had the momentum and the form going into the final, whereas Oita had wobbled a bit lately and were looking vulnerable.

But on the day Trinita played the perfect game, and strangled the life out of S-Pulse with their efficient and ruthless brand of football.

The first goal was always going to be vital in this match, and once Trinita scored it they looked in complete command.

They were able to keep S-Pulse in their tight grip, and still find time to break away at the right moment and score a second to underline their superiority on the day.

It was a great victory for the club and for their young Brazilian manager Pericles Chamusca, ably assisted by his three assistant coaches on the pitch: Edmilson and Roberto in the middle of the park and Ueslei up front.

Yes, I know they are not officially assistant coaches, but they have such a strong influence on the team they could be referred to as "player/coach."

As for S-Pulse, they just didn't get going, did they?

Their plight was highlighted by the total eclipse of Edamura, playing at the top of the midfield diamond and working behind the strong-running front two, Hara and Okazaki.

I had forgotten Edamura was still on the pitch when he was substituted after 82 minutes, such was the superb defence of Trinita.

Although Takagi could have done better with a first-half shot he pulled wide, and Yajima came close with a left-foot shot on the turn late on, S-Pulse struggled to get a sight of goal all afternoon.

I must admit they puzzled me in the very first minute of the match, after Fukaya had fouled Hara to concede a free kick on the left side of the Oita box.

So early in the game, I expected S-Pulse to send up the heavy artillery, Aoyama and Takagi, and just let Hyodo swish one into the mixer with his accurate left foot. At that stage of the final, nerves would still have been jangling and a mistake in defence could not have been ruled out.

But instead, S-Pulse tried an intricate practice ground routine that went wrong, as Hyodo was forced to shoot with his weaker right foot. The ball sailed high and wide, and Oita were never even tested from this set piece. What a waste!

Trinita were worthy winners, while S-Pulse manager Kenta Hasegawa must wish he could turn the clock back and start again from Saturday lunchtime.

ends