Round 22 final round...

Rosso Nero FC – Round 22 Match Report (Final Round)

Final round football doesn’t get much bigger than this. Coming into Round 22 against Ravioli, everything was on the line. A win would secure us 2nd place and the title of season runners-up. Anything less, and we could slip to 4th. The stakes were just as high for Ravioli—it was do-or-die for both sides.

We made one key change, with Seb returning after 8 weeks out, stepping in for Marcus who was unavailable. A big inclusion for a game of this magnitude.

From kickoff, it had all the intensity of a finals match. Both teams played it smart—tight, tactical, controlled. No one wanted to be the first to blink. Ravioli created the first two chances, but CJ stood tall, pulling off two crucial saves to keep us level early.

Around the 7-minute mark, we lifted. Gabe forced a strong save, Seb followed up with a rocket that was again denied, and then the breakthrough came. Nuno applied relentless pressure, carving out the chance for Dan, who calmly slotted it into the bottom corner. 1–0.

The next phase returned to a tactical battle, but Ravioli found their way back. CJ made another save with his right foot, the rebound smashed into the crossbar, and unfortunately, Dan deflected it into our own net. 1–1.

The final five minutes of the half were intense. We created two excellent chances, but their keeper held firm.

Half-time message: Keep it simple. Take our chances. Shut down their runners.

Second half—and we came out firing.

Bang.

Quick goals to Dan and Seb saw us surge to a 3–1 lead within minutes. From there, we took control—composed, patient, and dominating possession. The defence stood strong, blocking everything thrown at us.

Then came the killer blow. Nuno again applied pressure, we won the ball high, and on the counter Jon finished clinically to make it 4–1. Five minutes to go—but we knew it wasn’t over.

With four minutes left, Ravioli struck back. A routine save for CJ somehow slipped through his hands and into the net. 4–2.

Moments later, another counter. Dan made a crucial block, but the rebound fell kindly, and despite CJ covering the near post, it squeezed through. 4–3. Less than three minutes remaining.

From the restart, we showed composure. Controlled possession. Smart passing. Running down the clock.

Then, with 20 seconds left… drama.

Ravioli broke through—1 on 1 with CJ. Season on the line. CJ charged out, sliding inside his D, getting a vital touch with his left foot. The ball bounced back toward the striker, but somehow CJ reacted again, flicking it up into his chest and securing it.

Whistle....

Free kick to the keeper.

CJ took his time, let the seconds tick down, and with just moments remaining, sent the ball into the corner to seal it.

Full time: Rosso Nero FC 4 – 3 Ravioli

What a game. What a result. What a finish.

Season Result: Runners-Up 🥈

And we head into the semi-finals full of confidence and momentum.

Highlights are up on YouTube.

See you all next week for the semi final.