It’s gone so fast! The third day of competition flew by in a blur of brisk winds and cold drizzle as Classic Canberra came to the fore! But nobody dropped their heads, and the KC spirit was on full display as everyone carried on with the enthusiasm and endeavour that has been such a hallmark of the first three days.
Mitchell Keenan and Matt Nicoletti had a look around the grounds as another day of Kanga Cup action passed us by.
Final round excitement as the pointy end beckons
By Mitchell Keenan
As the excitement and glamour of the opening ceremony and the first two days of competition sit behind us, we now get down to the business end of the Kanga Cup, and day 3 of the tournament saw some exciting matchups as teams fought to the final moments to secure a spot in the finals.
With teams playing their 4th or 5th game in three days, Kanga Cup competitors battled on through their final games in the trademark patchy weather Canberra can be so well known for, with sunshine one moment, to wind and rain the next.
Nerves were high around the grounds on Wednesday, as travelling and local teams put in their best efforts to take the next step towards taking out their respective competitions, and a last group match in Dickson saw U/14 female cup sides Shellharbour Junior Football Club and the Gold Coast Pirates jostling for 2nd in the group and a spot in the finals.
Both sides were hungry from the start, with the Pirates creating a few early chances but Shellharbour were determined to keep a clean sheet.
Shellharbour looked destined to score late on in the game, but a heroic performance from the Gold Coast goalkeeper kept the scores to 0-0 and the Pirates loss to local side Monaro earlier that day left them in 3rd, with Shellharbour advancing on to the finals to play the Inter Lions in Kambah on Thursday.
The final game of the U/12 plate competition saw local side Belconnen United taking on Shellharbour Junior Football Club in a make or break matchup with the two sides going in level on points.
The first half was an end-to-end affair, with both sides creating good chances to go ahead but failing to make use of their opportunities.
The exciting game looked destined to go down to the wire, but Shellharbour went ahead from a well-struck long free kick and they didn’t look back, scoring another three before the final whistle to claim a 4-0 win and go into the preliminary finals at Southwell Park in Lyneham on Thursday.
With a huge final two days remaining in the annual competition, we are set for some exciting match-ups as the remaining teams playoff in preliminary and semi-finals ahead of the finals which will take place on Friday.
Look ahead, just not yet!
By Matt Nicoletti
The destination of Canberra United Academy players once they finish may be uncertain but that will not get in the way of success in the NSR Kang Cup according to coach Bernie To.
U14’s Coach To says it is best to put that uncertainty aside to focus on their important semi-final on Thursday.
“Either way we try not to look too far ahead, we will look towards tomorrow’s game,” he said.
“If that does happen we will try and deal with it as best as we can. “
“But for now, it is most important we do well in this tournament for the boys to keep improving.”
To also believes it [Academy Pathway] is of great benefit to football in Canberra.
“You always want the best for the players, especially in Canberra,” To said.
“You just hope that it is like any learning progression and on top of it you hope that they will come away better as a person.”
To’s side are competing in the Under 15’s Cup competition this week.
After their 2-1 win over Dandenong City on Wednesday, United find themselves in second place with 7 points.
They will take the pitch on Thursday morning against NPL rivals Tigers FC for a spot in the final.
Tigers beat United in the group stage on Monday, leaving To’s side with a point to prove.
“After they got the result over us we will look to improve on that and win this time,” To said.
“Since they are bigger and stronger than our boys, we need to look to have more control of possession.
“Our preparation has been good the last couple of days despite a few niggling injuries.
“Besides that, everyone is in the right frame of mind for the semi-final for Thursday’s game.”
Whoever wins that match will compete in the final at Southwell Park on Friday afternoon in Lyneham.
Don’t forget, results can be found on kanga-live.statedge.xyz!