September 13, 2024 • 9 mins
Wellington Olympic have won football's Chatham Cup for just the second time in club history, and the first in 15 years.
The side prevailed after a dramatic penalty shootout against Auckland City that saw nine consecutive successful penalties from both sides, before Olympic goalkeeper Scott Basalaj saved Auckland's fifth attempt.
Basalaj joined Adam Cooper to reflect on the win.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Well great football news for the Wellington region. Last weekend
the Chatham Cup Final was held up in Auckland and
it was Wellington Olympic lifting the cup for the second
time in club history, the first time in fifteen years.
A pretty dramatic final won all at the end of
regulation went to shootouts. Nine shots in a row that
was scored in the nets during the penalties. So then
(00:22):
it came time for the tenth attempt overall Auckland City's
fifth attempt. They lined up the shot. Scott's Basale from
Wellington Olympic was the goalkeeper with the gloves hairs. How
it panned out? He must score and.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
It's safe this time it is all Bassa is the
hero Wonnington Olympic are the Chatham Cup champions for twenty
twenty four. They went in five to four in the
penalty shootout.
Speaker 1 (00:53):
The match was level one one at the end of
extra time. Yeah, so Scott Bissalle the hair for Wellington
Olympics seeing them prevail on penalties. Scott is with us
nowt here on the ill Sport breakfast a week on Scott, congratulations,
How does it feel as it soaked in yet?
Speaker 2 (01:10):
Yeah, we're still super buzzing. So obviously a very prestigious
trophy and tournament to win, being only the second time
our clubs has done that, and sort of being aware
of how special the first time was for the club,
so yeah, really special to replicate that weeking just being
(01:32):
and yeah, we're still buzzing over it.
Speaker 1 (01:34):
How had you prepared for the final and had you
done many different things from what's worked for you so
far this season?
Speaker 2 (01:40):
There was obviously a few tweaks in our preparation based
on the opposition, but you know, when you're coming off
twenty wins in a row, you don't really want to
change too much. And I think just our confidence and
mindset in the group has just yeah picked up more
and more after every result we've had, so we went
(02:01):
into the game super confident and we were, yeah, just
able to make a couple of small tweets to our
game plan to get the result we were after.
Speaker 1 (02:10):
Again, for yourself, as a goalkeeper preparing for finals, there's
always a bit of extra owners on you. How do
you sort of absorb that pressure and make sure it
doesn't sort of faulty your performance when there is so
much more on the line in non league.
Speaker 2 (02:22):
Football, Well, I suppose. You know, as a goalkeeper, you
know a lot of the game. You can be a spectator,
but it's just being really and prepared for moments within
a game. And been working a lot with Alexbord and
our goalkeeper coach this year just in regards to being
ready for those small moments and you know, chat and
(02:43):
preparation for other games through the season, just analyzing small
moments that have gone well and possibly could have done
better in regards to saving goals. So we've sort of
been building up to that for the whole season and
speaking about the fire all. You know, in the grand scheme,
there wasn't a lot for me to do in the
(03:04):
game right up until that final moment. But yeah, the
preparation was AB in regards to that definitely.
Speaker 1 (03:12):
Helped and talk us through, you know, what was going
through your minds through that penalty shoot out. The goal scorers,
we're having all sorts of success, and then it got
to you with an attempt number nine.
Speaker 2 (03:21):
Overall, yeah, I just sort of getting a bit frustrated
it myself for not saving anything. Sooner. Ab had pointed
me in the wrong direction a couple of times. We
had done our homework for a few of the other takers,
but they seemed to change their minds. But look, we
said before that, you know, I was pretty confident that
I'd save at least one and the boys were as well.
(03:43):
So thankfully was able to save one and being the
last one made it all that more dramatic.
Speaker 1 (03:48):
Was it a player that you'd done much research on?
Speaker 2 (03:51):
We knew he had gone that way in the past,
so just yeah, that was the mindset and preps for
the whole shootout, and yeah he stuck to thankfully for us.
Speaker 1 (04:01):
You talked a bit about you know that what it
means for the club but yourself personally. You've been involved
in the local football scene here for quite some time.
Obviously you know Team Wellington days, very similar group that
are now the main stays are at Olympic here, but
you know, holding the Chatham Cupps as a player, how
does that compare with the likes of National League and
other successes you've had through your career.
Speaker 2 (04:18):
It's pretty special. Winning something for the first time is
you know, always the sweetest and I've been very lucky
to have won a whole bunch of regional and national titles,
both with Olympics and Team Wellington. But you're like I said,
that first one is always most special and most exciting,
(04:39):
and this had been the one that was slowly getting
away from from me and from the others and the
team as well, So yeah, we knew that, you know,
weekend just being was such a great opportunity to finally
lift a trophy and thankfully we did.
Speaker 1 (04:54):
And there appeared to be a good touring party in
the in the stands there at a North Harbor Stadium,
a lot of noise, they cut to a lot of
celebrations when you guys won, How much did that spur
you and the team line?
Speaker 2 (05:04):
Yeah, there always is. You know, we've seen it in
the two National League finals the previous two seasons where
we seem to have more supporters than Auckland and you
know local supporters support and Auckland himself. So that's just
a huge credit to the club and community that we
have and you know we get it on the bank
(05:27):
at Wakefield as well, and it's always a massive motivator
for us to succeed. And yeah, at the end of
the day, just seeing the joy on the face of
those supporters is super special and is one of the
reasons why we've put so much effort on and off
the field.
Speaker 1 (05:45):
And how nice is that I referred to them before,
But the core group of guys who a lot of
you and Wellington have played top level football together for
quite some time. How important for the team has has
that consistency been And being amongst a group that you
know each other pretty.
Speaker 2 (05:57):
Well, Yeah, definitely been key and were further a both
on and off the field as well. We're all so
close on and off the field where you know the
best of mates off the field, and just having that
ability to play with your best mates and to do
it for such a long time. I think that definitely
shows in our performances. We know how to get the
(06:17):
best of each other out of each other, and when
it comes into important clutch moments in games like the
one at the weekend, we're able to really harness one
another's abilities and get the best out of each other.
So it's super special. And you know, over the last
couple of the years, we've had one or two players
(06:39):
come and that have been able to say we've won
the Cup and the rest of us sort of shaking
our heads and wanting it to be us. So the
fact that we can all say that now is yeah
really cool.
Speaker 1 (06:48):
Yeah great, And unlike I guess strict winter and summer
sporting codes, football is a year round game at club level.
How do you stay I guess physically of primed, mentally
primed to make sure you're firing at all points of
the year. It must be a bit of a challenge.
Speaker 2 (07:03):
Yeah, it's a challenge. You know, a lot of us
have our own families as well and we have to
balance that and work as well as our football and commitments.
But I think, you know, the group that we have
definitely makes that balance a lot easier. You know, where
I'm at in my career with football now, I'm lucky
(07:25):
to still be playing at the top level in New
Zealand and to do that with you know, good friends
of mine. It's definitely a social life aspect of it
as well, which is great. But yeah, I suppose our
focus the last couple of years has definitely been on,
(07:47):
you know, getting through the winter, getting through the Central League,
the cold nights at Wakefield, and then really stepping it
up a notch come National League. So that's what we'll
be doing, will be probably getting an extra night on
the field a week and really priming ourselves to be
in our best shape and best playing condition come National
(08:10):
League starting in a few weeks.
Speaker 1 (08:11):
And I guess from a wider club perspective, now you've
you've ticked off a lot of boxers in the last
couple of seasons, how much you know more? Do you
sort of look towards now possibilities with with OFC Champions
League and things like that. Club World Cup? Does that
sort of now become a bit of a focus now
another big competition's being ticked off?
Speaker 2 (08:27):
Yeah? Absolutely, you know it's the one now that has
sort of gotten away from us the last couple of years,
the OFC. So yeah, there'll definitely be a big focus
on that, but there's still still a lot of the
way to even get to that stage. In regards to
the National League, I think sort of seen around the
(08:49):
regions this year that there's been a lot more competition
within the regions, and I think come National League, there's
going to be no game that's a get and so
we just have to focus on keeping our momentum going
into the National League, hopefully get to the top of
that again and then try and knock off the OFC.
Speaker 1 (09:13):
And just finally, Scott for you being able to pull
off the save that won the cup. Where does that
rank and seat of you know, your football moments as
a player over the years.
Speaker 2 (09:20):
Yeah, definitely up there. I haven't been a part of
a shootout in the final, a couple of semi finals,
so to be able to have that action that has
resulted in lifting the trophy and really special and something
I'll remember forever.
Speaker 1 (09:35):
For more from News Talks B listen live on air
or online, and keep our shows with you wherever you
go with our podcast on IR Radio.
Well great football news for the Wellington region. Last weekend
the Chatham Cup Final was held up in Auckland and
it was Wellington Olympic lifting the cup for the second
time in club history, the first time in fifteen years.
A pretty dramatic final won all at the end of
regulation went to shootouts. Nine shots in a row that
was scored in the nets during the penalties. So then
(00:22):
it came time for the tenth attempt overall Auckland City's
fifth attempt. They lined up the shot. Scott's Basale from
Wellington Olympic was the goalkeeper with the gloves hairs. How
it panned out? He must score and.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
It's safe this time it is all Bassa is the
hero Wonnington Olympic are the Chatham Cup champions for twenty
twenty four. They went in five to four in the
penalty shootout.
Speaker 1 (00:53):
The match was level one one at the end of
extra time. Yeah, so Scott Bissalle the hair for Wellington
Olympics seeing them prevail on penalties. Scott is with us
nowt here on the ill Sport breakfast a week on Scott, congratulations,
How does it feel as it soaked in yet?
Speaker 2 (01:10):
Yeah, we're still super buzzing. So obviously a very prestigious
trophy and tournament to win, being only the second time
our clubs has done that, and sort of being aware
of how special the first time was for the club,
so yeah, really special to replicate that weeking just being
(01:32):
and yeah, we're still buzzing over it.
Speaker 1 (01:34):
How had you prepared for the final and had you
done many different things from what's worked for you so
far this season?
Speaker 2 (01:40):
There was obviously a few tweaks in our preparation based
on the opposition, but you know, when you're coming off
twenty wins in a row, you don't really want to
change too much. And I think just our confidence and
mindset in the group has just yeah picked up more
and more after every result we've had, so we went
(02:01):
into the game super confident and we were, yeah, just
able to make a couple of small tweets to our
game plan to get the result we were after.
Speaker 1 (02:10):
Again, for yourself, as a goalkeeper preparing for finals, there's
always a bit of extra owners on you. How do
you sort of absorb that pressure and make sure it
doesn't sort of faulty your performance when there is so
much more on the line in non league.
Speaker 2 (02:22):
Football, Well, I suppose. You know, as a goalkeeper, you
know a lot of the game. You can be a spectator,
but it's just being really and prepared for moments within
a game. And been working a lot with Alexbord and
our goalkeeper coach this year just in regards to being
ready for those small moments and you know, chat and
(02:43):
preparation for other games through the season, just analyzing small
moments that have gone well and possibly could have done
better in regards to saving goals. So we've sort of
been building up to that for the whole season and
speaking about the fire all. You know, in the grand scheme,
there wasn't a lot for me to do in the
(03:04):
game right up until that final moment. But yeah, the
preparation was AB in regards to that definitely.
Speaker 1 (03:12):
Helped and talk us through, you know, what was going
through your minds through that penalty shoot out. The goal scorers,
we're having all sorts of success, and then it got
to you with an attempt number nine.
Speaker 2 (03:21):
Overall, yeah, I just sort of getting a bit frustrated
it myself for not saving anything. Sooner. Ab had pointed
me in the wrong direction a couple of times. We
had done our homework for a few of the other takers,
but they seemed to change their minds. But look, we
said before that, you know, I was pretty confident that
I'd save at least one and the boys were as well.
(03:43):
So thankfully was able to save one and being the
last one made it all that more dramatic.
Speaker 1 (03:48):
Was it a player that you'd done much research on?
Speaker 2 (03:51):
We knew he had gone that way in the past,
so just yeah, that was the mindset and preps for
the whole shootout, and yeah he stuck to thankfully for us.
Speaker 1 (04:01):
You talked a bit about you know that what it
means for the club but yourself personally. You've been involved
in the local football scene here for quite some time.
Obviously you know Team Wellington days, very similar group that
are now the main stays are at Olympic here, but
you know, holding the Chatham Cupps as a player, how
does that compare with the likes of National League and
other successes you've had through your career.
Speaker 2 (04:18):
It's pretty special. Winning something for the first time is
you know, always the sweetest and I've been very lucky
to have won a whole bunch of regional and national titles,
both with Olympics and Team Wellington. But you're like I said,
that first one is always most special and most exciting,
(04:39):
and this had been the one that was slowly getting
away from from me and from the others and the
team as well, So yeah, we knew that, you know,
weekend just being was such a great opportunity to finally
lift a trophy and thankfully we did.
Speaker 1 (04:54):
And there appeared to be a good touring party in
the in the stands there at a North Harbor Stadium,
a lot of noise, they cut to a lot of
celebrations when you guys won, How much did that spur
you and the team line?
Speaker 2 (05:04):
Yeah, there always is. You know, we've seen it in
the two National League finals the previous two seasons where
we seem to have more supporters than Auckland and you
know local supporters support and Auckland himself. So that's just
a huge credit to the club and community that we
have and you know we get it on the bank
(05:27):
at Wakefield as well, and it's always a massive motivator
for us to succeed. And yeah, at the end of
the day, just seeing the joy on the face of
those supporters is super special and is one of the
reasons why we've put so much effort on and off
the field.
Speaker 1 (05:45):
And how nice is that I referred to them before,
But the core group of guys who a lot of
you and Wellington have played top level football together for
quite some time. How important for the team has has
that consistency been And being amongst a group that you
know each other pretty.
Speaker 2 (05:57):
Well, Yeah, definitely been key and were further a both
on and off the field as well. We're all so
close on and off the field where you know the
best of mates off the field, and just having that
ability to play with your best mates and to do
it for such a long time. I think that definitely
shows in our performances. We know how to get the
(06:17):
best of each other out of each other, and when
it comes into important clutch moments in games like the
one at the weekend, we're able to really harness one
another's abilities and get the best out of each other.
So it's super special. And you know, over the last
couple of the years, we've had one or two players
(06:39):
come and that have been able to say we've won
the Cup and the rest of us sort of shaking
our heads and wanting it to be us. So the
fact that we can all say that now is yeah
really cool.
Speaker 1 (06:48):
Yeah great, And unlike I guess strict winter and summer
sporting codes, football is a year round game at club level.
How do you stay I guess physically of primed, mentally
primed to make sure you're firing at all points of
the year. It must be a bit of a challenge.
Speaker 2 (07:03):
Yeah, it's a challenge. You know, a lot of us
have our own families as well and we have to
balance that and work as well as our football and commitments.
But I think, you know, the group that we have
definitely makes that balance a lot easier. You know, where
I'm at in my career with football now, I'm lucky
(07:25):
to still be playing at the top level in New
Zealand and to do that with you know, good friends
of mine. It's definitely a social life aspect of it
as well, which is great. But yeah, I suppose our
focus the last couple of years has definitely been on,
(07:47):
you know, getting through the winter, getting through the Central League,
the cold nights at Wakefield, and then really stepping it
up a notch come National League. So that's what we'll
be doing, will be probably getting an extra night on
the field a week and really priming ourselves to be
in our best shape and best playing condition come National
(08:10):
League starting in a few weeks.
Speaker 1 (08:11):
And I guess from a wider club perspective, now you've
you've ticked off a lot of boxers in the last
couple of seasons, how much you know more? Do you
sort of look towards now possibilities with with OFC Champions
League and things like that. Club World Cup? Does that
sort of now become a bit of a focus now
another big competition's being ticked off?
Speaker 2 (08:27):
Yeah? Absolutely, you know it's the one now that has
sort of gotten away from us the last couple of years,
the OFC. So yeah, there'll definitely be a big focus
on that, but there's still still a lot of the
way to even get to that stage. In regards to
the National League, I think sort of seen around the
(08:49):
regions this year that there's been a lot more competition
within the regions, and I think come National League, there's
going to be no game that's a get and so
we just have to focus on keeping our momentum going
into the National League, hopefully get to the top of
that again and then try and knock off the OFC.
Speaker 1 (09:13):
And just finally, Scott for you being able to pull
off the save that won the cup. Where does that
rank and seat of you know, your football moments as
a player over the years.
Speaker 2 (09:20):
Yeah, definitely up there. I haven't been a part of
a shootout in the final, a couple of semi finals,
so to be able to have that action that has
resulted in lifting the trophy and really special and something
I'll remember forever.
Speaker 1 (09:35):
For more from News Talks B listen live on air
or online, and keep our shows with you wherever you
go with our podcast on IR Radio.
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