| Breakthrough success as the Gungahlin Storm Under 10s win the 2008 Cowra Junior Soccer Carnival |
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| Written by Chris Timotheou |
| Friday, 22 August 2008 22:30 |
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On Sunday 17 August the Gungahlin Storm Under 10s team won the Cowra Junior Soccer Carnival, in the process becoming the first ever Gungahlin team to win such a tournament. The team was made up of under 10 players from 4 separate teams - Lightning, Thunder, Galaxy and Gladiators teams, but you wouldn’t have known it the way they performed as a team on the day. The team played 5 games for 5 wins, no goals conceded all day, and, 14 goals scored (with just as many posts hit and even more near misses). When the draw was released it was clear that the road to success would not be easy. However for half the team it was the third year they had attended such tournaments (since they were in under 8s) and after some unlucky experiences previously they were very keen to prove a point on this day. The day started out cool and cloudy but walking the fields that sat above the banks of the Lachlan River was a beautiful way to start the day and a fantastic setting for what would be a fast and furious day of football ahead. Vs. Parkes: 3-0 win The Storm played a very good game in the cool of the early morning knocking the ball around well for a first up effort. Chris Kazolis got the scoring started, and Antoni Timotheou and Ross Costanzo finishing of the scoring. Parkes had knocked some of these players out of the Young Carnival last year so it was a good indicator of the potential for the rest of the day. The players had their first taste of success. Daniel Zerial worked hard to put lots of pressure on the Parkes defence. Vs. Boorowa: 5-0 win As in the first game keeper Lachlan Czaplinski hardly touched the ball as the Storm completely dominated possession but with Boorowa packing their defence found it difficult at times to find a way through. Eventually Thomas Hipwell scored 2, Antoni Timotheou got his second for the day, and Alex Pizzano and Josh Arlott finished off the scoring. Vs. Southern Tablelands (rep side): 2-0 win This last pool game would decide who would advance to the semi-final. Southern Tablelands had tore through other defences at will but the Storm played with great commitment to close down the midfield supply lines for their fast forwards. Brodie Simsons also had a great game at stopper and Ross Costanzo in defence and midfield. The Storm also completely dominated the possession and set up countless scoring opportunities. A great header from Sam Whithear opened the scoring and Thomas Hipwell scored a great free kick to finish the game. Arguably this was the Storm’s best performance of the tournament and the score could have and probably should have been a bigger margin with Antoni Timotheou creating havoc for Southern Tablelands up front. At the end the 2-0 win was enough to set up a much anticipated semi-final for the Storm against Monaro. SEMI-FINAL: Vs. Monaro Panthers: 2-0 win Monaro had enjoyed a longer rest than the Storm before the semi final but it did not show in the first half. The Storm came out and played some very good football against a very well organised Monaro team, who had knocked some of the players out of the Young Carnival two years previously as Under 8s. A great passing move ended with a great strike from Antoni Timotheou with his left foot to put the Storm deservedly in front. Keeper Lachlan Czaplinski pulled off a great save to deny Monaro an equaliser before another great shot from Thomas Hipwell extended the Storm’s lead. Monaro came at a tiring Storm team strongly in the second half but to the defence’s credit they held firm and the Storm still managed to create their even share of clear cut chances at goal with Chris Kazolis particularly terrorising the Monaro defence. Michael Pochi and Tanveer Anand had great games in defence. FINAL: Vs. Woden Valley: 2-0 win Woden had a much easier semi-final than the Storm and it was apparent from the kick-off that with virtually no turn around time from the semi-final also that the Storm were excited about being in the final but they were tired. It wasn’t the Storm’s best footballing performance of the day but it was probably the game where they showed the most commitment to each other, in the process all of them pushing beyond their own previous personal limits. Sebastian Luke, who had missed a number of chances during the day came good in this game when it counted, netting both of the Storm’s goals one in each half including one spectacular long range effort. As during the whole day the midfield worked hard to try and contain a very skilful footballing team from Woden, with captain Sam Whithear and Alex Pizzano again giving everything they had. The Wash Up The players excitement and singing after the final whistle and at the presentation of their trophies was almost as impressive as their play and will be long remembered. Congratulations to this group of players who tried their best all day and in every game, played some great football during the day, and proved that Gungahlin can compete with the other clubs when it comes to winning tournaments. It shows that there can be a bright future for Gungahlin United FC. Thankyou to all the parents and friends on the sidelines who made the day special for the players, and to George Kazolis, one of our U11 keepers, who mentored and warmed up keeper Lachlan all day. Also thanks to the members of the U14 Gangstas Girls team who came to watch the finals after their tournament had finished. The team: Lachlan Czaplinkski (gk), Tanveer Anand, Josh Arlott, Brodie Simsons, Ross Costanzo, Michael Pochi, Thomas Hipwell, Alex Pizzano, Sam Whithear (c), Antoni Timotheou, Chris Kazolis, Sebastian Luke, Daniel Zerial. Chris Timotheou and Phillip Pizzano Coaches |