| CROATIAN REVIVAL |
 |
| 01/24/2008 |
New York Croatia in Metro Div.
One are another once great club seemingly on the comeback. The Croats,
who won their last First Division title a decade ago, ended the
fall with a five-point lead (6-1-2, 20) over Shamrock in Metro Div.
One (East). In the West, Clarkstown appear a shoo-in for the title
on account of a massive 10-point edge over Guyana Juniors.
“Croatia has a long and storied history that has been coupled
with the CSL for over 20 years,”said Tommy Radalj. “Unfortunately,
the team fell on bad times in the late 90s and reformed last year
to rejoin the CSL in Metro Division Two.”Still, the hastily
assembled side played well enough to earn promotion to Metro One.
“The reason for our success this year is that we have a grassroots
effort in recruiting players,”explained Radalj. “Everyone
is familiar with each. We haven’t simply picked players up
off the street.”
This, he added, has led to team cohesion and less individual play.”Predictably,
Radalj and Co. are happy campers this winter break. “With
Croatia in first place at the midway we feel very good with our
chances of promotion. We continue weekly practices and play in as
many winter leagues and tournaments as we can.” |
| BOTH THE FIRST TEAM & OVER-30 TEAM ATOP
THEIR DIVISIONS AT THE HALFWAY POINT |
 |
| 01/24/2008 |
| The NY Croatia First Team has ended
the 1st half of the season with a 5 point lead over over 2nd place
Shamrock. Continuing this trend will certainly lead to promotion.
The NY Croatia Over-30 has also lead their respective division looking
to gain promotion from the Over-30 B-division to the Over-30 A division. |
| BOTH THE FIRST TEAM AND OVER-30 TEAM GEAR UP
FOR THE 2007-2008 SEASON |
 |
| 09/16/2007 |
| Based upon a strong 10-6 record
from last season, an organized club and a strong history the NY Croatia
1st Team was promoted from the Metro 2 to the Metro 1. The signing
of 6 new players in the off season will certainly help a determined
Croatia squad to return to the First Division of the CSL where it
rightfully belongs. |
| NY CROATIA FIRST TEAM WINS THE SECOND HRVATSKI
PICNIC |
 |
| 09/09/2007 |
| Playing in a smaller tournament
than the first picnic but holding only club teams, the NY Croatia
First Team soundly won the 2nd 2007 Hrvatski Picnic Tournament at
the beautiful Croatian Land in Boonton, NJ. "This is a sign of
bigger and better things to come in the upcoming season", boasted
striker Filip Loncar. |
| NY CROATIA MAKES A WELCOME RETURN TO THE SAVEZ
TOURNAMENT |
 |
| 09/02/2007 |
| Although failing to qualify for
the 2nd round with a 1-2 record, NY Croatia received cheers and accolades
throughout the tournament for returning to the Savez for the first
time in 7 years. Despite some fine play in the early games, NY Croatia
did not have the stamina to keep up with the mid-season teams. The
experience earned will surely prove invaluable in the future. |
| CROATIA CONNECTION WIN THE HRVATSKI PICNIC |
 |
| 06/17/2007 |
| Croatia Connection used youth,
guile, skill and power to overwhelm and overcome all contenders on
their way to victory in the Hrvatski Picnic at the Croatian Recreational
Area in Boonton, NJ. ALthough the field wasn't deep it was talented
and as with most, the cream rose to the top. It will be interesting
to see if they can repeat in September. |
| NY CROATIA OVER-30 PLAY OVER THEIR AGE WHICH
IS REALLY HIGH |
 |
| 06/17/2007 |
| Even using a late comer goalie
could not prevent this determined group of wily veterans from reaching
the finals. They eventually succumbed to heat exhaustion and leg cramps
giving up a goal ten minutes from time to the talented Croatia Connection.
After proudly displaying their trophies and medals they vowed to get
the gold in the tournament picnic. |
| STRONG FINISH TO THE FIRST SEASON BACK IN ACTION |
 |
| 06/03/2007 |
| The NY Croatia 1st team ended the
season is strong fashion with a 5-1 victory over a very game NY Wanderers
squad. Team play and precision passing marked an all round performance
and forecasted a bright future for this first year team. "If
we get some depth everyone better watch out", growled Marko Loncar. |
| UNABLE TO KEEP A CLEAN 2ND HALF SHEET |
 |
| 06/03/2007 |
| The NY Croatia Over-30 team are
truly an Over-30 team with injuries to 4 starters and 3 other starters
unable to play a late home game to due adult obligations. "If
we only had more players", sighed net-minder Denis Peros, "We
could play with anyone." Next year promises to be a much more
rounded squad. |
| PUT THE CUFFS ON 'EM |
 |
| 05/20/2007 |
| Arriving on time and in numbers
the NY Croatia 1st team dominated NY's Finest from start to finish.
The 6-1 victory was highlighted by team play and good first half finishing.
Damir Penava had 2 1st half goals with a superb volley to put the
game away. The result could have been worse had NY's Finest goalie
not kept them in the game and Elvis not been wasted. |
| OMM MY GOD! |
 |
| 05/13/2007 |
| The goals continue to pile up as
the 1st team put on a fine performance in a 6-2 victory over OMM SC.
After a 1-1 1st half in which both teams were testing each others
defenses NY Croatia burst through for 5 goals in the second half.
The defining moment came when 1st time goalie Lozina saved a penalty
kick and 2 subsequent rebounds to energize his team. |
| TAKE IT ANY WHICH WAY |
 |
| 05/13/2007 |
| The Over-30 kept their 2nd half undefeated streak
going receiving a 2-0 victory due to forfeit by unheralded Westchester
FC. The game was called by the referee due to lack of field markings.
It's unfortunate the game was called because the Over-30 finally had
enough players to field an entire team. Next up: undefeated Pele Masters. |
| HAVE PLAYERS WILL TRAVEL |
 |
| 05/06/2007 |
| The NY Croatia 1st team returned
to form with a strong performance against Gotham Argo. A mixture of
new players, such as Marko Loncar & Nelson Avilia, and wily veterans
like Elvis Prorokovic & Boris Ribaric, proved to be the difference
as the 1st team found the back of the net 5 times while allowing only
2. Certainly a sign of things to come. |
| UNDEFEATED IN SECOND HALF OF SEASON |
 |
| 05/06/2007 |
| The Over-30 kept up their current hot streak
by drawing even with Shamrock SC. Despite playing with only 9 men
and 8 men for the final 20 minutes the NY Croatia Over-30 could easily
have won with the Stari getting the better chances in both the first
and second half. A breakaway by Ante Radalj hit the post ending the
game in a well deserved tie. |
| COMMITMENT TO MEDIOCRITY TELLS THE TALE |
 |
| 04/29/2007 |
| A 6-1 defeat to Frosinone SC placed
the 1st team at 6 wins and 6 losses for the season nesting them in
mediocrity. With a makeshift defense, sluggish goaltending and poor
strategy NY Croatia suffered their worst loss of the season. Nothing
marked the defeat more than a lack of commitment to winning and this
needs to be rectified asap. |
| NY CROATIA OVER-30 HOLD SERVE |
 |
| 04/29/2007 |
| The NY Croatia Over-30 squad continue
their strong second half showing with a 1-1 tie against BW Gottschee.
Despite playing with only 10 men the "Stari" had the better
chances and capitalized on a weak goaltending to earn a well deserved
tie. Dominating midfield play and a stout defense that doesn't know
when to quit contributed to the effort. |
| NY CROATIA 1ST TEAM RETURN TO LEAGUE PLAY FLAT
& UNINSPIRED |
|
| 04/22/2007 |
| NY Croatia 1st team returned to league play
in what could only be described as a rusty performance. Although controlling
possession for most of the game, undisciplined defending and poor
finishing resulted in a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Athletiko FC in
McCarren Park. |
| NY CROATIA OVER-30 CONTINUE TO RISE |
 |
| 04/22/2007 |
| As the weather has changed so has
the game of NY Croatia Over-30 squad. They cruised to a 4-1 over GH
Metros at the historic Metropolitan Oval. After a dominating first
half performance, marked by brilliant passing and superb finishing
they took a 4-0 lead into the 2nd half which was marred by dirty play
and unfortunate fouls. |
| NY CROATIA OVER-30 RETURN TO LEAGUE PLAY REVAMPED |
|
| 04/01/2007 |
| After struggling through much of the 1st half
of the season undermanned and outgunned, NY Croatia's Over-30 team
revamped and reloaded their roster and began the 2nd half of the season
with a dominating 2-0 performance over SC GJOA. |
| NY CROATIA LOSE IN THE SEMI-FINALS |
 |
| 02/25/2007 |
| NY Croatia lost 1-0 in the semi-finals
of the LISFL 2007 Indoor Soccer Tournament to Astoria Rudar Club FC.
While dominating most of the game and out shooting Rudar Club 15-1
NY Croatia was unfortunate not to find the back of the net and advance
to the tournament finals. |
| NY CROATIA WIN THE INAUGURAL RUDAR CLUB INDOOR
SOCCER TOURNAMENT |
 |
| 01/20/2007 |
| After years of inactivity, NY Croatia has impressively
returned to field play taking the inaugural Rudar Club Indoor Soccer
Tournament. After advancing from group play with a 2-0-2 record, the
"New Youth Croatia" turned up the heat disposing of NY Polet
in the semis and ecking by Rudar Club 3-2. |
