As the sun began to peek out, talented footballers continued to showcase their skills as the 2026 Emerging Matildas Championships reached the business end.
Day five saw Northern NSW Football walk away with one win and one hard-fought loss.
Under-15s
The under-15s entered the semi-final full of energy but ultimately suffered a 3-0 loss to Football NSW Sky.
Football NSW Sky hit the ground running, forcing NNSWF goalkeeper Allanah Evans to tip the ball over the crossbar and deny an early goal.
NNSWF began to find their feet as the match continued, and Ameila Sanctuary had a close attempt in the ninth minute.
Another fantastic save by Evans in the 17th minute, and a block by Sophie Abbott in the 22nd minute saw the score remain 0-0.
The under-15s continued to push for the opening goal, with Sanctuary and Harper Demir both having close attempts, but the teams went into the sheds locked at 0-0.
Both sides entered the second half with further determination, but it was Football NSW Sky who found the back of the net in the 32nd minute.
Strong defence from NNSWF and Evans held Football NSW Sky at 1-0 for another 10 minutes, but goals in the 43rd and 51st minutes saw them run out 3-0 winners.
The under-15s will take on Football NSW Navy in the third and fourth place play-off at 9am tomorrow.
Under-16s
The under-16s bounced back from their quarter-final loss with a strong 3-1 victory over Football NSW Navy in the play-off semi-final.
NNSWF came out of the gates firing, but it was Football NSW Navy who broke first when they scored in the eighth minute.
As the two sides battled through the first half, Football NSW Navy pushed for a second in the 23rd minute but were denied by the woodwork.
The under-16s’ determination soon paid off, however, when Zali Black struck from the edge of the box, sending the ball into the top-right corner in the 28th minute.
The two sides went into the sheds all locked at 1-1, but NNSWF did not slow down.
A fantastic save by Marli Demir in the 34th minute kept the under-16s in the contest and proved crucial again in the 47th minute.
NNSWF’s Mackenzie Preston-Poole surged downfield shoulder-to-shoulder with Football NSW Navy defenders, rounded the onrushing goalkeeper, and slotted the ball into an empty net.
Leading 2-1, the under-16s pressed for a third, and it was Preston-Poole who delivered again in the 59th minute.
The side will now play Football Queensland Maroon in the fifth and sixth place play-off at 9am tomorrow.
NNSWF Talent Development Manager Brett Angell said he was proud of the resilience shown across both age groups.
“It was disappointing for the under-15s to fall short in the semi-final, but while we may have come up second best, we worked hard throughout the match,” Angell said.
“It was a player of the match performance from Allanah [Evans, goalkeeper] to keep the score to what it was.
“The under-16s came back from their disappointing loss yesterday which was fantastic to see.
“They showed a lot of resilience today and will come back tomorrow to try to finish as high as possible in the fifth and sixth place play-off.
“Hopefully both teams come out tomorrow and finish the tournament strongly.”
More on the Emerging Matildas Championships
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