Fun, but a little brisk! That’s a pretty good way to describe the first full day of competition at the 2017 NSR Kanga Cup! Temperatures were low but spirits were high as we got underway all across the Capital Region!
Read a bit more about some of the opening day’s action thanks to Mitchell Keenan below.
Melbourne’s Moreland Zebras make strong start to maiden Kanga Cup campaign
The Moreland Zebras have had a hot start to the Kanga Cup, winning both of their day one matches and going top of Pool A in the U/13 male cup. A dominant 9-1 win over Canberra Olympic as well as a tight win over Tuggeranong United will give Coach Nick Spaseski’s side confidence as they look to challenge for the cup.
Making the trip to Canberra for the first time, Spaseski has been pleased with the tournament so far following on from the opening ceremony at the AIS yesterday.
“It’s been quite welcoming and well organised and a great atmosphere with players, parents and officials involved in the tournament; it’s been quite an enjoyable experience,” said Spaseski.
The Zebras have had a great deal of success at the youth level, and have played a part in the development of a number of Socceroos including Mark Bresciano and Paul Wade.
Spaseski claims that competing in the cup was key in furthering the development of an abundance of talented young players at the club.
“It’s just part of the process in the way we develop our footballers at the Moreland Zebras and this is just the next stepping stone for them in the advancement of their development.”
The Zebras will look to make the Kanga Cup an annual challenge, introducing the idea of travel and using the tournament as a way of gelling with teammates, family and coaches.
In the coming days, the Zebras will look to carry on with their winning ways as they face Broadmeadow Magic, hoping to secure before a finals berth in Dickson on Thursday.
Rockingham Lions looking to make the long journey count in Canberra
Each year at the start of July thousands of footballers flock to Canberra for the Kanga Cup, with competitors looking to make their mark from all over Australia and overseas, and the Rockingham Lions have come to do just that.
Making the long haul from Rockingham in Western Australia, Nathan Jones has brought over a side to compete in the U/11 Plate, and with a solid start to their first ever stint in the tournament, Jones wants to lead his side to glory in the nation’s capital.
With fierce competition ahead of them, the Lions are keeping focus on their upcoming group games, but a tight 2-1 win over Sydneysiders Northbridge FC All Stars gave Jones’ side a boost in their first match at Southwell Park on Monday.
“We’d like to win the Kanga Cup, but realistically if we get out of the group I’ll be over the moon. I’ve watched the teams we’ll be competing against today and they are good teams but our aim is to win it,” said Jones.
Rockingham return to action for day two of the Kanga Cup on Tuesday, with an early game against local side Monaro Panthers Red, and then tough challengers Marrickville FC before the finals get underway on Thursday.