IYCC CHAMPIONS
Four young footballers from Gippsland have returned home Champions after a very successful tournament in Singapore. Dean Panayiotou, Gianni Salvatore, Ty Georgiou and Jacob Richardson were all first eleven players of the eighteen man squad.
Going through the early rounds of the 4th International Youth Challenge Cup undefeated, the Select Australian Footskills team made it through to the Grand Final along with Thailand, who was also undefeated. After scoring sixteen goals and only conceding three the Aussies were confident as they went into the Final. Coach, Ian Williamson, had the team prepared and ready to take on Thailands finest.
The Final was delayed for two hours due to inclement weather but once it started it was full on from kick off. Both teams were skilful, fast and physical and the first forty minutes the match was proving to be a very close encounter with the game 0-0 at half time. The second half continued in the same pace but twenty minutes in both teams were sent inside again as torrential rain and lightning hampered its continuance. With no ease of the storm coming anytime soon, and with the pitch now under water and unplayable, the organising committee declared both Thailand and Australian sides joint winners.
The boys were a bit frustrated at ending the tournament like that but were also very happy with the outcome and the success they all had as a team. Georgiou had a fantastic tournament, winning the teams leading goalscorer tally with four goals, including scoring in the practice match against Singapore Sports School. Panayiotou took on the centre midfield role and created skilful passages of play. He put precision through balls to the strikers as well as adding a goal to his own name. Salvatore was highlighted for his speed and defensive strength that kept the opposition at bay. Richardson was strong and reliable as goalkeeper. He also assisted two goals. The first one was against Singapore where his coach instructed him to put a long ball over and it bounced off the defenders head and over the keeper into the back of the net. The other was against New Zealand where he put a through ball to striker, Zac Lucic (from Echuca), who ran on and scored.
At the closing ceremony and Presentation of awards, Jacob Richardson, was awarded with the trophy for the ‘Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament’. Player of the tournament went to striker and tournament leading goalscorer, Jenphop Phokhi of Thailand.
Australia Footskills Results
26th November
AUSTRALIA defeated SINGAPORE ‘B’ 5-0 (–Ty Georgiou 2 goals)
28th November
AUSTRALIA defeated NEW ZEALAND 2-1
29th November
AUSTRALIA defeated SINGAPORE 3-1
30th November
AUSTRALIA defeated BRUNEI 5-0 (-Ty Georgiou and Dean Panayiotou 1 goal each)
2nd December
AUSTRALIA drew THAILAND 1-1
4th December
FINAL – AUSTRALIA drew THAILAND 0-0
Last Modified on 07/02/2012 09:44
Comments
Comment Guidelines: The SportsTG Network is made up of players, families and passionate sports followers like you who have a strong opinion about sport. That's great - we want you to have your say and share your thoughts with the world. However, we have a few rules that you must follow to keep it fun for all. Please don't be rude, abusive, swear or vilify others. Apart from some pretty serious sport sanctions, we also can ban you and report you if things get out of hand. So play fair and have fun, and thanks for your contribution.