At the end of a week which saw Totaalvoetbal take four points from their two games, Jaap Cruz slumped to the ground in the knowledge that it hadn’t been enough to claim the club’s second crown.
An equaliser two minutes from time for Splott on Tuesday meant that Totaal were in third going into the last round of games and would need favours from both Stanley and Kirkbride whilst winning themselves to be crowned champions.
William Ralph Dean and Antonello Ballarin would ensure that the victory over Pahang would never be in doubt and, for a brief moment, it looked like it might be enough.
However, while Stanley were defeating ThunderCats, league-leading Santos were faring better in their crunch clash. Buoyed by a disallowed Kirkbride goal, Santos would take the lead on 29 minutes from the spot and they would never be pegged back.
It would all be too much for Cruz who had hoped to leave Totaal a champion. However, he would leave broken. He might well have been looking back to that fateful clash with Santos where he put through his own goal with under 10 minutes to go. This would give the Brazilians a crucial boost and see them embark on a startling run.
The fans won’t blame him, though. In 47 starts he had been given team of the round honours no less than 31 times and has been a model of consistency in a strong defensive unit. It will be scant consolation for the colossus but he should look back with pride on his time at Totaal when he dons his slippers and pipe in the coming years.
For now, though, this leader of men waved away reporters and sought solace with his teammates with whom he has stood shoulder-to-shoulder all season.
He left the speaking to Robin Meeblind:
“Of course I’m disappointed but more proud of their efforts,” opened the coach.
“It just wasn’t to be and we can accept that. We have been beaten by a champion side and a quality manager. We wish Sean and his Santos players the very best of celebrations tonight.
“Us? You can be sure we’ll get together and give Jaap the send-off he deserves. He’s been superb for us and we’ll miss him.
"Thank you and see you all next season."
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