1996 Boys Team News

1996 Boys West Niagara Champions Yet Again!

Well, the Mississauga Croatia boys U 15 have done it again…they have been successful in repeating as Champions of the West Niagara Invitational Tournament for 2011. We were blessed with wonderful weather and exciting soccer starting from the quarter finals and up until our penalty shootout for the Championship. The team had to overcome a number of injuries, but, in spite of it all, the boys clearly demonstrated what team work is all about: success. God Bless Us All.

1996 Boys Indoor Season

Our indoor season certainly can be labeled a Cinderella story. We rose from 6th place, defeated 2nd and 3rd place teams, in penalty shootouts—no less, to medal as Finalists, losing to Mississauga Falcons ‘A’ from the OYSL in the Championship game. Excellent competition and fun was had by all.

1996 Boys West Niagara final

Mississauga Croatia 1996 Boys took the field at West Niagara Invitation full of vim and vigour. The day was blustery with gusting winds of 100km per hour. Nor wind nor rain could deter the boys from beginning their day with a loss. The boys lost their first game to Oak Ridge 3-0. Regardless, the boys were determined to represent themselves and their club with pride and spirit. They simply blazed past their next opponents, Mooredale , by a score of 5-0, the highest differential of the tournament. The next game was filled with tension and dread. The winds had picked up and were actually responsible for pushing the ball past Miss Croatia's athletic keeper allowing Waterloo to draw with Croatia. However, the game was not over. With great effort, dedication and team work our red and white checker covered boys fought back to score the winning goal in the last 30 seconds of the game. Jubilation and relief as the whistle sounded ending the game. Ending up second in the division, the stage was set for a show down with division leader of Group 'B' in the quarter finals, the following morning. We faced Cumberland in the quarters. A see saw battle until our fullback let go of a sublime shot from 40 yrds out and dropping the ball in far corner of the opponents net. The coup de grace, however, was our forward, El Nino, volleying the ball over the defenders head only to volley it again over the keeper and into the net...a stunning Messi like finish. We won 3-0. The next game was against Miss Falcons 'B', the team that knocked us out of the semi's in indoor. We were able to return the favour by knocking them out with a score of 1-0. The Championship game was equally intense as we had 4 injured starters 3 of whom were sitting on the sidelines for the second half of the game. The game ended 0-0. Penalty shoot-outs . Miss Croatia took to scoring like ducks to water. All three of our players placed the ball past a gigantic keeper standing 5' 10" with an arm span of immeasurable proportions, in stunning fashion..simply perfect. Our keeper stood firm, relaxed and calm, causing them to miss their opportunities. Congratulations to the boys and their parents for showing solidarity and team spirit during a most harsh weekend. Coach Davor Milovac