Under 9 Kangaroos Go Undefeated At Logan Lightning FC Twilight Carnival
Nerang Eagles recently travelled north to take on the challenge in the Logan Lightning junior carnival event, drawing five opening games in their group stage against some tough opposition.
Coach Michael Opie reports —
Our last group game would come down to the wire, a decider to determine who would advance through to the semi final against a strong Saint Andrews team who had traveled from the Sunshine Coast.
What a spectacular U9 game it was, with both teams having their chances to take the win, but with our boys holding strong and coming out 1-0 victors — progressing through to the semi final on top of table in the group.
Our Semi final was against our M1 northern rivals Coomera, and it was again another tough team who threw everything at our boys, however we stepped it up another notch to close out the game and came away as with a 1-0 win.
Well, onto the Grand Final against another St Andrews top team, and boy, what a game this turned out to be! Much deserved and to their absolute credit, our Nerang Eagles boys absolutely dominated their opponents in the final, hitting hard with an early goal to set the momentum our way. The boys kept the pressure for the entire match, putting away another 2 goals in quick succession. Saint Andrews scored a late goal, but it was too late and their run fell short … with our boys coming out as UNDEFEATED CHAMPIONS!!!
Some great goals from several of the boys but one notable highlight was from Mason, who shot from well inside his own half to score a cracking long-range goal. Well done to both our goalkeepers Brian and Hamish, only letting 3 goals in for the entire tournament. Defenders Mason and Harrison were strong, and delivered solid defence every game. Our utility (multirole) player who played either striker/midfield Nihar, and Jasper who assisted in some great goals and scored several as well. Josh our striker who finished off some great chances, to our football playmakers holding the team together in Xander, Will and Couper, these boys were absolute work horses in the midfield with some awesome last minute defence and some unbelievable passing and shots on goal.
Thank you to the parents of the boys as well. What a long day especially after a game in the morning as well, getting there around 3:30pm and finishing up after 9pm.
As a coach to see our boys utilise everything which we work on at training, seeing it come together and to also see the sheer joy on their faces winning a Grand Final is the all the reward a Coach needs.
WELL DONE YOUNG EAGLES!!!
