Metro Division Newcomers Build Club History With a Dramatic Finish
By Noah Zimmerman
noah@queensledger.com
ROOSEVELT ISLAND – A 91st minute goal earned FC Sandzak their first ever win in the APSL last Sunday night! After a physical battle against Leros SC entered the final minutes level at 2-2, a long-range effort by Mamadou Diombera found its way into the back of the net to earn all three points for Sandzak.
It was a perfect way for the new APSL club to bounce back from a Week 1 defeat to the Greek Americans, showing that theyíre ready to take on the challenges of the new league after winning the CSL last season.
It was a very physical match, something both clubs are well familiar with. Bodies were flying, plenty of fouls were awarded, and a few cards were shown.
The first two Sandzak goals both came from set pieces. The club’s first ever goal in the APSL was scored by Alem Kolenovic, a high speed free kick that took a deflection and beat the Leros goalkeeper. After Leros scored a goal on each side of halftime to go ahead 2-1, Sandzak found their equalizer when Matthew Hesse pounced on a blocked shot inside the box.
In added time, Sandzak found an opportunity to get downfield in a flash. A long ball from goalkeeper Danilo Nikcevic was helped along by substitute Martin Dikanovic. New signing Alieu Wally carried it downfield before switching it to Diombera, who finished the attacking play.
“When the ball is played in our half we want to hit the counter-attack,” said Hesse after the game. “That’s how we scored a couple of goals and we’re going to keep playing our game.”
“This is a huge three points, our first in the APSL, we knew this wasn’t going to be easy coming up from the CSL,” said the match-winner Diombera. “We are so proud, every game means a lot. Sandzak isn’t just a team, it’s a family.”
“We’re coming off a bad loss and we learned from that. We’re going to take it one game at a time, have fun, and enjoy the ride while we can,” added defender Jaffrey Gad. “Hopefully we’ll get as many points as we can.”
