Nori the Ninja Cuts Swath Through Rivals

Ninja-sharp Nori Uchimura gave Broadbeach United their cutting edge on Saturday as they tasted grand final triumph for the second time in four years.

An accountant by trade, the 28-year-old Japanese import had Coomera's number all evening as he darted and drifted past defenders, teased and pirouetted and finally plunged the blade home with the killer goal 10 minutes from time in front of more than 2000 delirious fans at Broadbeach Oval.

A player with a penchant for the big occasion, the diminutive Uchimura struck twice in the 2006 decider as United battered Burleigh 3-0 to take the crown.

And he delivered again with the cool efficiency which has become his stock-in-trade in five years with the club.

His strike against Coomera was special, even from a player with an aptitude for the implausible.

Running at the defence, he switched the ball from right foot to left, bamboozling a chasing pack of players, before firing high into the Coomera net.

Luke Glanz's second set the seal on a night of exultation, as pocket predator Uchimura celebrated by guzzling beer from the winner's trophy as if it were ambrosia from the gods.

‘I love this club,’ said Uchimura, who commutes from Brisbane three times a week to train and play with a group who have become like a second family.

‘I'll be back next year and I hope we can do it all again.’

Coach Lee Vernon said: ‘Nori has shown his loyalty... I have no doubt he could play at a higher level.’

David Lewis, Gold Coast Bulletin
21 September 2009

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