The battle for the Steeline Limestone Coast Football Association Premiership Cup took an unprecedented turn in a dramatic weekend of preliminary finals action.
For just the second time since the competition introduced the grand final playoff 10 years ago, International will not fight for the ultimate Senior Men’s prize after being stunned by an Apollo outfit driven by emotion.
Despite battling heavy showers and playing with nine men towards the end of the heated fight against the reigning four-time premiers, the blue and white capitalised on every opportunity to launch themselves into an unexpected decider.
After securing the minor premiership with an undefeated season, the dominators of the LCFA world appeared well placed to continue their reign.
However, no one could have envisaged International being knocked out in straight sets by Gambier Centrals and Apollo in the qualifying and preliminary finals respectively.
“Obviously Inter is one of our big arch-rivals and have been a very successful team forever, so to beat them on the big stage is great,” Apollo coach James Stephenson said.
“Having only nine men for a bit made it even more special because there was not one passenger in our team and that says something about our mentality.”
The 90 captivating minutes at MGA Park had everything from stunning goals to ugly incidents as the Michielan Cup rivals fought blow for blow.
The contest appeared to be following a familiar pattern when Inter broke through early after a Matthew Bueti headered a Connor Prior cross into the back of the net.
After the early disappointment, Apollo regrouped as the tension escalated and the first of eight cards were dished out from the referee.
Minutes after being denied a goal from the offside rule, Say Wah took on two defenders and found a narrow gap to kick the equaliser.
Although the heavy showers started to roll in during the main break, no thunderstorm was going to cool down the heated atmosphere with the scores locked at the main break.
Apollo made the first move when Sar Hay Moo opened his account minutes after play resumed.
But the blue and white’s lead did not last long after they conceded an own goal following a scramble inside Inter’s box.
With the final whistle approaching and no clear winner evident the pressure increased and mistakes started to creep in.
An accidental handball from Tyler Michielan created the perfect invitation for Apollo to take charge.
Sensing the moment captain Tobbei Kennett nailed the long-range free kick which beautifully dropped between the stretched keeper and the crossbar.
Moments later Inter goalkeeper Tyler Johnston found himself in another tricky situation with Sar Hay Moo attacking from the left wing.
Johnston decided to approach the Apollo attack head-on, but he had no answer for the smart cross which was brilliantly finished by Jack Donehue from the other direction.
Suddenly Apollo enjoyed two-goal lead and Inter needed to find an answer fast.
The black and blue were gifted a penalty and Bueti calmly put it away to keep his side in the game.
However, Inter hearts sank collectively when Apollo seized on yet another opportunity in freakish fashion.
Say Wah crossed in the direction of Sar Hay Moo, who stuck his right boot out and the ball somehow sailed into the back of the net.
The goal sparked wild celebrations as every Apollo player ran towards a delirious section of the crowd, but the job was not done yet.
After players dusted themselves off from some confrontations, Apollo was down to just nine men after Skay Per was given a red card and Htoo Wah went down with an injury with no substitutions left.
Inter continued to press, but defender Adam Walker and keeper James Kipping repelled every attack to hold on for a memorable win in the rain.
