Papalia keen to go on, but awaits club's decision

September 3 2008

Shepparton News

Tatura coach Rocky Papalia has declared his desire to stay on as coach of the North Eastern Soccer League's big improver of this season.

But the Ibises coach said on Sunday a decision on his future was a matter for the club's committee.

After overseeing a winless season in his first year as coach of the Ibises, Papalia took Tatura to the brink of a finals berth this year.

A win against Shepparton United in Sunday's last home and away match would have pitted Tatura against Shepparton South in the elimination final.

Despite missing the finals, Tatura improved significantly on its 14-from-14 loss season last year, winning five matches and drawing two from 15 games this year.

Tatura added recruits David Turkovic (striker), Nathan Beavis (goalkeeper) and Terry Kappadais (defender) to its line-up along with midfielder Carmelo Bazzano, brother of Cobram Victory player Frank.

But it was the improvement in home-grown players such as forward Spiro Vourgaslis and defensive trio Giacomo Ventura, Jarrod Backway and Adam Rando which saw Tatura grow as a unit.

``I'd like to go on,'' Papalia said.

``In the end it's got to be up to the committee.

``I'll wait and see and that's all that I can do.''

Papalia said there were top four teams that would be happy to know Tatura would not be making an appearance in the finals.

But the Ibises coach said United's performance on the final day deserved to win.

``I think we were down and United were switched on from the start, they deserved to get their goal,'' Papalia said.

``In the second half we were unlucky not to equalise and to United's credit they held us out.''