It was cold and overcast conditions as the Emerging Matildas Championships kicked off in Sydney on Tuesday.
Before the tournament began, the opening ceremony took place at Valentine Sports Park where the team captains and vice-captains were presented with their armbands.
Northern NSW kick the tournament off with a bang
Day one of the tournament saw NNSWF’s under-15s walk away with a win, while the under-16s finished the day with a draw.
The under-15s kicked off the tournament with a 3-1 victory over Football South Australia.
Both teams came out firing as they looked to open the tournament with a win, but it was Football South Australia who broke first.
NNSWF’s goalkeeper Alannah Evans made a fantastic save in the eighth minute of the match but conceded in the ninth minute off a corner.
The under-15s did not back down and equalised in the 27th minute after Mackenzie Preston-Poole found the back of the net.
NNSWF were awarded a free kick at the top of the 18-yard box and Preston-Poole launched the ball over the sea of players and into the goal.
Football South Australia started the second half strongly, but it didn’t take long for NNSWF to take the lead.
Matilda Fleming gained the lead for her side in the 40th minute when she unleashed a powerful shot over the goalkeeper and into the goal.
NNSWF were not done yet as they gained momentum and netted their final goal of the afternoon in the 52nd minute.
A loose pass by Football South Australia goalkeeper sent the ball to the feet of Erica Newton.
Newton wasted no time as she chipped the goalkeeper at the top of the box and sliced the ball into the goal.
The under-16s put on a gritty performance to walk away with a 1-1 draw with Football South Australia.
Intensity was shown from the first whistle as the two sides battled to take the lead.
NNSWF looked to open the scoring in the 22nd minute after Makayde Goldman launched a free kick from outside the box to Lacey Dobson who attempted to slice the ball into the goal but was deflected by Football South Australia.
The two sides could not be separated as they went into half-time locked up 0-0.
In the second half, Football South Australia started with intensity determined to take the lead.
NNSWF goalkeeper Marli Demir pulled off a fantastic save in the 35th minute and pushed the ball around the post.
Football South Australia stepped up for the corner, but Demir denied them the opportunity to score.
NNSWF’s Sophie Johnson opened the scoring for the afternoon in the 50th minute.
Ceanna Frost charged the ball down the field before sending it to the feet of Johnson at the right of the box who chipped the Football South Australia goalkeeper and sent the ball into the back of the net.
Football South Australia equalised in the 54th minute after they were awarded a penalty.
NNSWF pushed to take the lead for the second time of the match, but the score remained 1-1 when the final whistle blew.
Northern NSW Football Technical Director Ryan Doidge was delighted with the efforts from the two sides in their opening matches.
“The girls have given themselves a fantastic foundation going into the rest of the tournament,” Doidge said.
“I was pleased with the efforts of the under-15s especially in the second half, where some individual players showed some real determination and were ruthless in key moments.
“Even though the group may have not been 100% happy with the performance they found a way to get a result, which was good for them.
“In the under-16s space they dug deep and showed determination and enthusiasm which they and the coaching staff will build on for the remainder of the week.”
More on the Emerging Matildas Championships
CLICK HERE to view the Official Emerging Matildas Championships Digital Program with Fixtures
CLICK HERE to watch* the Emerging Matildas Championships thanks to KommunityTV (*subscription required)
CLICK HERE to view the live tables and results
