Chinatown Bloodbath

15 October 2007

New York (Chinatown Newswire) — Coach Stochl insists the Chinatown Soccer Club has the strength in depth to cope after the Stanton Street injury list got close to hitting double figures on Saturday.

“This talk about an injury crisis is completely blown out of proportion,” Stochl said.

Nevertheless, this weekend’s training session saw Greek defender Andreas Tzortzis rushed to the emergency room with a serious ankle sprain while CSC staples Peter Sutherland and Kevin Trageser suffered knocks to their foot and toe, respectively.

Sutherland was felled by visiting Viennese trainee Markus Kietreiber in what can only be described as a freak collision while Trageser’s toe got stomped by giant German midfield enforcer Florian “Red Alert” Peter early on. Luckily, both played through the pain barrier and managed to finish the match.

The trio joins star striker Mike Messenie, who is currently out with an ankle injury, on the sidelines.

Meanwhile, Jersey full-back Denise Vasel suffered minor facial injuries after first being struck by a wild shot courtesy of defensive lynchpin Duncan Hamilton and immediately afterwards getting side-swiped by stepover king Khairi Mdnor’s shoulder.

“I couldn’t chew all weekend and my neck is still sore but I’m a tough cookie,” Vasel said.

Soon afterwards, Mdnor was himself the victim of an accidental boot-to-the-knee by CSC goalie Mike Sisk but only picked up a small cut and was able to continue after some sideline treatment by Nurse Paul, head of the CSC medical staff.

There was even a moment of worry for Coach Stochl, after he got caught by Sutherland’s stray elbow during the last few minutes of Saturday’s practice match.

“I was spitting blood for a while there but it wasn’t a big deal,” Stochl said. “Of course I’m gonna fine him two weeks’ wages regardless,” he added with a wry smile.

The news is more serious for Tzortzis, who will now be shipped back to Berlin where he is on loan with local third league side 1. FC Union.

“I really wanted to show the coach what I can do and impress the rest of the lads,” Tzortzis said. “Guess I took it a little too far.”

The Greek powerhouse folded his ankle while chasing after a loose ball and is expected to be out of action until the beginning of December.

“I was impressed with his desire on the pitch and mental strength after the injury,” Coach Stochl said. “No doubt he’ll get another chance with the CSC.”

The Austrian admitted the fresh injuries were a blow, but he is happy that the depth and quality of his squad will be good enough to cope with the mounting problems.

“There’s a long way to go but what’s significant is that I’m very confident with the squad I have here,” Stochl said.

“Young players like Tricky Nick [Nicholas Haggard] and Danny Funds [Dan Funderburgh] will now get a chance to prove themselves,” the coach added. “I hope they realize that they’ve got big boots to fill.”