Soccer veterans show grit in Masters Games

DAVID WEINER

THE Maccabi Masters soccer team wrapped up its World Masters Games campaign in disappointing style, losing the semifinal match against Russian side Cosmos 2-0 and then going down 1-0 to Canadian team Lads Calgary United in the play-off for the bronze medal.

Maccabi’s group of veterans had dusted off the boots to return to full-field football for the first time in seven years for the World Masters Games being played in Sydney.

The majority of the side, who are between 46 and 54 years of age, have come through the Maccabi ranks together over the past 40 years.

Earlier in the nine-day tournament, Maccabi tackled opposition from Russia, Ukraine and Canada for two draws and a loss.

In the semifinal Maccabi played a tight and compact defensive game to frustrate the Cosmos and at the break the scores were tied 0-0.

The turning point came midway through the second half when the referee awarded a dubious free kick to the Russians on the edge of the penalty area.

The Cosmos captain curled his kick under the crossbar to give them a 1-0 lead.

Maccabi then had to push forward in search of an equaliser which left them exposed at the back and Cosmos counter attacked to score its second goal and close out the game 2-0.

In the bronze medal playoff match, Maccabi was without dynamic playmaker and skipper Clive Barrett, who came down sick overnight and with other key players carrying injuries it was a backs-to-the wall effort.

This was compounded when the Sky Blues conceded an early goal after just 90 seconds of play following a backline mix up.

Maccabi battled hard for the remainder of the game and striker Gabi Rachamim came close when his shot went just wide of the post, but Maccabi couldn’t pull back the deficit.