Albion Park coach Jeff Allport praised the character of his troops following the White Eagles’ absorbing come-from-behind 3-2 extra time victory over Bulli in the IPL qualifying final on Sunday.
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With scores locked at 2-2 at the end of the normal time, Park striker Brian Montanari popped up at the near post in the 111th minute to head home a dramatic winner at Tarrawanna Oval. Before that the White Eagles had twice come from a goal down to level the scores thanks to star attack Shohei Okuno.
“I couldn’t be more pleased with the character they showed,” Allport said.
“It has been that way for a while where we have come back in games quite a lot.
“They all contributed today and the performance was really good too.
“I was impressed with how hard Bulli worked but am really happy with the win.”
Bulli first went ahead through Ben McDonald in the 34th minute but were pegged back by Okuno 11 minutes after half time.
Julian Minutillo had Bulli in front again in the 68th minute before Okuno, who is a leading contender for the George Naylor Medai, added his second of the afternoon and 17th for the campaign.
After neither side could find the winner in normal time, it was up to Montanari to steal the ledger for the White Eagles in the second period of extra time.
His goal sets up a date with Kemblawarra Fury next weekend for Albion Park, who will get the chance to become the first team in this year’s grand final.
Bulli will take on Wollongong Olympic next Sunday in an elimination final.
