Match Day 4 Review of the FFA National Youth Championship
It was another day of mixed emotions and results for the NSW Metro and Country boys with the under 13s the highest achievers with the Metro and Country squads both winning their games.
Under 13s NSW Metro 1 ? 0 Victoria Metro
Heading into this game, NSW knew that they needed to win this game to stay in contention of top place of Group A. Centre forward, Ben Folami returned to the starting line-up after missing NSW Metro?s previous game due to injury, a much needed breath of fresh air to the Metro squad.
Just seven minutes into the fixture and NSW Metro found themselves in front thanks to a Jamie Gorgovski goal. There was a hint of an own goal as a Victoria Metro defender helped the ball cross the line but there was no stopping Jamie from claiming yet another goal of the tournament.
Victoria Metro continued to go in search of an equaliser before the break but sound outstanding goalkeeping was enough to make sure NSW Metro kept their advantage.
The second half was filled with half chances and scrappy shots as both sides looked to add something to the game but at the end, neither side were able to change the scoreboard. NSW Metro were given a chance to catch their breath before they took the field again in the afternoon against South Australia.
Under 13s NSW Metro 1 ? 2 South Australia
Coached by former Socceroo and Adelaide legend Richie Alagich, South Australia from the offset knew that if they got to a chance in front of goal to just keep shooting because there weren?t many times NSW Metro?s defence could be pulled apart.
The opening half it was the South Australian goalkeeper who was kept the busiest of the two being called upon a number of times to pull off some absolutely top class saves and keep the scores level.
In the 27th minute though, NSW Metro finally found a way through South Australia?s stubborn defensive unit. Skilleroos utility man, Daniel Arzani was played into space by Henry Davies catching the South Australian goalkeeper off his line. Daniel had the finesse to walk the ball around the keeper and knock the ball home. Finally the break NSW Metro were looking for.
The old saying of you?re most vulnerable when you?ve just scored sadly came true for NSW Metro as South Australian Carlo Armiento scored a thumping left footer into the top of the net to level the scores just before the half time break.
The second half was filled with more chances for the NSW Metro side however the squad looked to have their shooting radar set completely wrong and instead fired more balls over the stadium fences than into the goal netting.
With just four minutes left to play, South Australia were awarded a penalty. Jamie O?Doherty stepped up, put the ball high and scored. Game, set, match.
After that performance, here is how the table for Group A looks:
1. NSW Metro ? 12 points (+10 goal difference)
2. South Australia ? 11 points (+3 goal difference)
3. Queensland Metro ? 10 points (+16 goal difference)
4. Capital Football ? 9 points (+5 goal difference)
5. Victoria Metro ? 6 points (0 goal difference)
6. Football West ? 1 point (-16 goal difference)
7. Northern NSW Metro ? 0 points (-18 goal difference)
Under 13s NSW Country 5 ? 1 Northern NSW Country
Moments after the starting whistle was sounded, NSW Country found themselves in front through Thomas Hazelton after the Northern NSW Country keeper failed to hold onto the ball properly.
Not long later and NSW Country looked too relaxed and casual when approaching the ball and that was their undoing in the fifth minute. Northern NSW Country striker Jack Watson scoring a simple goal off a set play to draw the scores level.
The NSW Country boys needed a goal before the break to get the mental edge back and it was thanks to Western Mariners FC junior Hamish Lamberton in the 15th minute the boys in blue got their wish. Another fumble from the Northern NSW Country keeper meant Hamish?s shot rolled under the keeper?s arms and into the goal.
A double from Hanwood Junior FC striker George Pavese and yet another goal for the attacking minded Jake Trew meant NSW Country maintain their spot at the top of the ladder in Group B.
Here is how that ladder is shaping up for Group B in the Under 13s:
1. NSW Country ? 10 points (+20 goal difference)
2. Victoria Country ? 10 points (+13 goal difference)
3. Queensland Country ? 8 points (+4 goal difference)
4. Northern NSW Country ? 3 points (-7 goal difference)
5. Tasmania ? 3 points (-9 goal difference)
6. Northern Territory ? 0 points (-21 goal difference)
Under 14s NSW Metro 2 ? 2 South Australia
As clich? as it may sound, this fixture really was a game of two halves with NSW Metro dominating the first period of play then giving the game away and slip up on a chance to go top of Group A.
7 minutes into the game and NSW Metro winger Jackson Bandiera had a chance to stretch his legs down the left flank. His speed meant he glided past the South Australian defence with ease before firing in a low pass across the face of the goal. The APIA Leichhardt Tigers youth product, Daniel Maskin was on hand to knock the ball into the goal and put the Metro boys in front.
After holding onto the 1-0 lead until the break, NSW Metro were awarded a penalty just after the restart as Kosta Petratos was pulled down inside the box. The NSW Metro captain stepped up and slotted the ball into the bottom of the net to make it 2-0.
With 15 minutes left to play, South Australia were awarded a free kick in a good shooting position. A stunning curling left footer up and over the NSW Metro wall by Charlie Devereux gave South Australia a lifeline into the game.
It is always amazing how a game can change in just a couple of seconds and that is exactly what happened. With the seconds counting down, South Australia got an equaliser through Nicholas Polli.
In a must-win game for NSW Metro, the pressure was too much with the squad failing to capitalise on a number of opportunities.
And because of that, this is how the table looks at the end of Match Day 4 for the Championship:
1. Queensland Metro ? 13 points (+10 goal difference)
2. NSW Country ? 9 points (+4 goal difference)
3. NSW Metro ? 8 points (+6 goal difference)
4. Queensland Country ? 6 points (+3 goal difference)
5. South Australia ? 6 points (+2 goal difference)
6. Football West ? 1 point (-11 goal difference)
7. Victoria Metro – 0 points (-14 goal difference)
Under 14s NSW Country 0 ? 1 Queensland Metro
With their captain Brendan Mozak out injured for this fixture, there was a certain level of uncertainty around this game with players and coaches alike hoping that the side would be able to play without their leader on the field.
South Coast Wolves junior Andrew Jones was trying his best up front in search of a goal but was unable to beat the Queensland Metro goalkeeper who put in what many considered a man-of-the-match performance.
15 minutes into the game and Queensland Metro got the goal they had been fighting for all game. Tim Morgan was played into space before knocking the ball into the back of the net. There was definitely a hint of offside in the lead up to the goal but the assistant referee?s flag stayed down.
For NSW Country, the half time whistle couldn?t come soon enough after a barrage of shots fluffed in front of goal by Queensland Metro?s attacking force.
One of the few bright sparks for NSW Country in this fixture was the defensive partnership of Tim Hall and Cameron Kopp who time after time put their bodies on the line to hold strong and keep Queensland Metro away from scoring a second goal.
Unfortunately for NSW Country, time just ran out for them in the game and so they were unable to find an equaliser despite a number of attempts in the second half.
Things don?t get any easier for the NSW Country squad as they look to take on Queensland Country?s squad tomorrow afternoon at BCU Stadium kicking off at 3:10pm.
– By Pete Nowakowski
