TEN MEN UNITED BOSNIA BEATS MISFIRING PARK CITY

PARK CITY STILL CAN WIN THE PREMIERSHIP TITLE

By Pierre d'Estaim
Sports Writer

SUGARHOUSE, UT. (Sept. 30).--Olympique Montreux needs only one point in its next two games to claim the Premiership title after ten men United Bosnia nips Park City 1-0 this evening at Chris Dorich Stadium on the campus of Westminster College.

Playing with only ten men for 40 minutes in the second half and being dominated almost completely, United suddenly springed up behind the masterful play of its Mexican play maker Ari Gonzales to upset second place Park City.

The Snowmen are left to rue a smorgasbord of chances its strikers, namely Matt Smith and the usually reliable Liam Hanafer should have put away.

It just was not Park City's evening. In the 12th minute, Matt had a good look at goal, but unluckily sent the ball over the bar. In the 25th, Liam let loose a powerful shot, but United's keeper Emir Topalavic  in outstanding form collected the British marksman's effort from twenty yards out.

Other Park City players had good opportunities, but they either squandered their chances or United's defense, marshaled by the very tall and talented Hussein "Bucko" Topalovic foiled the Snowmen's attempts.

The score remained 0-0 at the half.

Park City returned for the second half determined to slay the Red Tigers of United Bosnia. They relied on their trademark rapid long balls from the back to opposite sides of the field with their wingers galloping to the ball and making service to the middle or trying to take it in solo.

Frustrated after a hard foul five minutes into the half, a United player complained for too long. With the fans baying for a red card, the referee harshly obliged.

Reduced to ten men, Bosnia United practically parked a tall bus in front of goal for about fifteen minutes to the utter impatience of Park City who sent men forward in droves and bad shots over and wide.

The Red Tigers held on. In the 67th minute, number 7 Ari started showing why he is one of the best playmakers in Utah. Taking the game to the Snowmen, his subtle runs and great passing caused the lone goal in the 81st minute.

Receiving the ball in his own area, Ari dribbled past nearly the entire Park City midfield, shaked off his markers and dished the ball to his onrushing right winger who blasted it into the Snowmen's net.

After the goal, Park City committed more men up front to seek the equalizer, which did not come despite an extended injury period.

"We will be loaded to bear!"

With Olympique Montreux having taken all three points from non-performing Pan World FC earlier in the day, the side now has 48 points on 18 games with two to go. Park City, its closest rival, has 39 points after 17 games.

The stage is set for a show down in Park City next Saturday when the Olympians visit the Snowmen at the North Pole Cathedral, the nickname of the Snowmen's stadium. The Olympians cannot forget that Park City is the only team to have beaten them in regulation play since December 2004. 

“We will be loaded to bear,” declared forward Josh Kimball. “We are still hungry for wins to certify our pedigree.” Indeed the star striker who has raised his game to a high level aims to continue his prolific scoring next week in Park City.

Better beware...

Mathematically, Park City still can take the trophy from under OM's feet if it beats the Olympians and manage to get maximum points from its three remaining games.

Indeed if the Snowmen can get all nine points from their next fixtures and OM loses both its last matches, the sides will finish even on points.  Then, that unfortunate loss to Park City last May will come into account.

Olympians beware!