The 2026 Emerging Matildas Championships showcased another action-packed day of football as it entered the pointy end.
Day four of the tournament saw the Northern NSW Football squads secure a win and a loss in the quarter-finals.
Under-15s
The under-15s locked in a highly motivated 1-0 win over Football Victoria Blue to progress to the semi-finals.
The side entered the quarter-final determined to progress to the next stage and build off their win and draw from day three.
The hard work paid off early when Summer Barden found the back in the seventh minute.
Barden charged into the box side-by-side with Football Victoria Blue defence and flicked the ball into the goal as she caught the goalkeeper off guard.
The side pushed for a second throughout the first half as Ruby Murray narrowly sent the ball over the crossbar.
NNSWF entered the break with a 1-0 lead but with plenty of determination to find a second.
They continued to push throughout the second half, but Football Victoria Blue continued to hold them at bay.
Despite NNSWF’s best efforts they were unable to extend their lead and walk away with a 1-0 win.
They will now face Football NSW Sky in the semi-final at 10.40am tomorrow.
Under-16s
The under-16s fell short 1–0 in a closely contested quarter-final against Football Victoria Blue.
Football Victoria Blue entered the match firing from the first whistle, but a determined defensive effort saw NNSWF keep them scoreless in the first half.
Both sides battled throughout the remainder of the half and went into the break locked at 0–0.
As the second half kicked off, NNSWF continued to push for the opener, but a long-range strike from Football Victoria Blue saw them take the lead.
The under-16s fought until the very end, but as time ran out, they fell short 1–0.
They will now face Football NSW Navy at 12.20pm tomorrow in the play-off semi-final.
NNSWF Talent Development Officer Brett Angell was pleased to see the under-15s progress to the semi-final, while also recognising the under-16s’ incredible efforts.
“It’s very much bittersweet because, ideally, we would have liked both groups to have progressed to the semi-finals,” Angell said.
“It’s disappointing for the under-16s, but I felt they put everything into it and, unfortunately, on the day the difference was the goal scored. It was a decent strike, which Quiola [Arthur] could do very little about.
“The under-15s, from minute one to minute 60, really applied themselves tremendously well. They were possibly a little disappointed not to be further in front at half-time, but there was great work for the first goal.
“They defended tremendously well, managed the game effectively, and deserved to progress to the semi-final. Hopefully, they can produce that same level of performance and see if we can make another final.”
More on the Emerging Matildas Championships
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