Football Federation SA Match Officials Paul Cetrangolo and Regis Queffelec had reason to celebrate last month after each received significant appointments.

FIFA Assistant Referee Cetrangolo was appointed to the AFC Champions League Final in Korea Republic between Ulsan Hyundai of Korea Republic and Al Ahli of Saudi Arabia, while Queffelec was appointed to his second Hyundai A-League match when he officiated the Round 5 clash between Western Sydney and Melbourne Heart. 

Cetrangolo admitted officiating at ACL final was a huge honour and the most significant appointment in his career.

“Being appointed to the ACL Final was the biggest match in my career to date.  I was absolutely thrilled with the appointment and it took a few days to actually sink in,” he said.

“It was only when I met the other guys at Sydney airport that it actually sunk in that I was on my way to officiate in the biggest club football match in Asia.  It was a massive honour to be chosen from all other officials in Asia and also to represent Australian match officials in the match.”

Cetrangolo was part of an all-Australian team for the Final with Referee Ben Williams, Assistant Luke Brennan and Strebre Delovski as the Fourth Official, and he believes it’s indicative of the quality of Australian Officials. 

“Australian Officials are well regarded in world football,” he said.

“I believe that the selection of an Australian referee and his fellow countrymen was a fitting tribute to how well regarded we are, especially within the AFC. AFC were very happy with the performance of the officials from the match and hopefully this keeps us in good stead for future tournaments and big matches.”

Cetrangolo revealed the Final was the quickest match he has ever experienced and the professionalism and organisation of AFC in coordinating the event was exceptional. 

“The experience was amazing.  From the pre-match meetings and training session to the match itself, it was an experience that I will not forget,” he said.

“The whole event was organised like clockwork by AFC and they made sure that as a group of four, we were switched on both mentally and physically.”
 
 “The match was the quickest match I have ever been part of.  Much quicker than an A-League match considering that the two teams involved are the best in Asia.  The atmosphere was electric as well.  The fans sang as one from the moment we arrived at the ground 90 minutes before kick off to the end and also after the match was over.”

Once the match kicked-off, Cetrangolo revealed he was faced with one of the most critical moments of the final. 

He called on years of training and experience to fully evaluate the situation and made the correct call. 

“Personally, the highlight of the match for me was my involvement in the first goal for Ulsan Hyundai,” he said.

“It was a free kick and there were many players from both teams in the penalty area jockeying for position and it was a very difficult moment for concentration.  In my mind I switched on to the situation fully knowing how critical a right or wrong offside decision could be in such a huge game being broadcast all over the world.”

“When the kick was taken, there were several incidences of attackers in a passive offside position, however the player that scored was onside and hence I kept the flag down.  That decision was my most critical one of the match and was correct.”

“Getting the decision right was a massive confidence boost and helped me to complete the game without issue.”

Cetrangolo said the receiving his medal during the post-match presentation was also a very rewarding experience.

“Also, the other moment that stands out is the final presentation.  Going up to receive the medal for my involvement in the match was a huge honour and made all the years of hard work and training worth it,” he said.

Cetrangolo also recently returned from the AFC U16 Championships in Iran where he was appointed to the semi-final between Iraq and Japan with fellow Australian Delovski.

He will travel next to Kuala Lumpur for an AFC Elite Assistant Referee Seminar in preparation for the next AFC season. 

Cetrangolo’s 2012/13 HAL season has also been an historical one, running the line for the first ever Sydney derby at Paramatta Stadium in Round 3.

“Being involved in the first Sydney derby was an honour and the fact it was played at Paramatta Stadium was great,” he said.

“The atmosphere created in the game from both sets of fans was excellent and the game was a well played game between both sides.”

Queffelec, enjoyed his second fixture in the middle after he debuted in HAL season 2011/12 when he refereed the Gold Coast United-Melbourne Heart match. 

The 2011 FFSA Referee of the Year is hoping to get another opportunity this season.

“I was indeed very happy and excited. The wait has been long but my second appointment finally arrived,” he said.

“I felt that I could have shown more. I believe the nerves got in my way early in the game, but after that I felt much better and more relaxed.”

“I just need to be patient, work hard at training and when the next one comes, I just have to grab it with both hands.”