The National Youth Championships 2024 Boys’ tournament heated up following another thrilling day of action in Wollongong.
Day three of the tournament saw the two Northern NSW Football sides walk away with two tough-fought losses to finish second in their respective groups and progress to the quarter-finals.
The under-15s had a hard-fought battle against Football South Australia that saw them go down in the final minutes of the match 1-0.
The two sides came out of the blocks firing for the hotly anticipated match-up, with the winner topping Group D.
NNSWF had their chances but were unable to hit the back of the net with Football South Australia applying the pressure in the late stages of the first half.
The two teams continued to push in hopes of breaking the deadlock in the opening minutes of the first half, but the score remained 0-0.
NNSWF goalkeeper Jett Manulat pulled off a spectacular save to keep his side in the game before NNSWF were denied down the other end.
Nikolas Sklavos’s strong strike for NNSWF was blocked by Football South Australia’s goalkeeper and the ball fell awkwardly to Darcy Goodwin who was unable to get his shot to dip in time, as it rattled the crossbar.
NNSWF continued to look search for the winner but it was Football South Australia, who finally hit the back of the net in the final minutes of the game to secure a 1-0 win.
The under-15s will take on Football Victoria Blue in the quarter-finals tomorrow morning.
NNSWF’s under-16s side also finished second in their group after they went down 5-2 to Football South Australia.
This match was also a battle for the top of Group D, which delivered entertainment from start to finish.
Football South Australia dominated in the first half, as NNSWF tried to push back and tried to stay in the game.
A scrappy goal for Football South Australia put them in front in the early stages of the game before they netted two more before half-time to take them 3-0 up in the break.
But NNSWF put Football South Australia on notice in the opening minutes of the first half, as they showcased immense bravery and determination to get themselves back into the contest.
Substitute Logan Sambrook clawed one back for NNSWF with a header off a corner kick that swung momentum into his side’s favour.
NNSWF began to pepper Football South Australia in attack, as they created chance after chance, desperate to get themselves back in the game.
Sambrook tightened the contest with a fantastic strike that he hit cleanly into the back of the net to take the scoreline to 3-2.
But despite NNSWF’s several attempts to push for the equaliser, South Australia broke away in the final stages and scored two sensational goals to finish the game 5-2.
The under-16s side will take on NSW Metro White in the quarter-finals tomorrow morning.
NNSWF Technical Director Ryan Doidge was pleased with the efforts showcased by the two sides and looked forward to the quarter-finals.
“The boys are disappointed and rightfully so as they want to be competitive in every game,” Doidge said.
“But there were some real key moments and positives to take out of both games today that we will take with us tomorrow.
“For us, progressing the group was absolutely the objective, which both squads have been able to achieve. We have found ourselves in competitive matches tomorrow.
“It is important now that we recover in preparation for a couple of big games tomorrow where I know that the boys will come out fighting and will have a good level of determination to do as well as they can.”
Quarter-final fixtures
Under-15s
Victoria Blue vs Northern NSW
Friday 19 July - 9am
JJ Kelly Park
Under-16s
NSW Metro White vs Northern NSW
Friday 19 July - 9am
Win Stadium
More on the National Youth Championships:
CLICK HERE to view the Official National Youth Championships 2024 Boys’ Tournament Digital Program with Fixtures
CLICK HERE to watch* the National Youth Championships 2024 Boys’ Tournament thanks to Kommunity TV (*subscription required)
CLICK HERE to view the live tables and results
