The Emerging Socceroos Championships produced another thrilling day of football as it reached the knockout stages.
Day four saw Northern NSW Football walk away with a win and a loss.
Under-16s
NNSWF under-16s continued their dominant form with a 4-1 victory over Tasmania to progress to the semi-finals.
It took less than two minutes for NNSWF to open the scoring, after Zac Zigic capitalised on a miscalculated Tasmania clearance in front of goal and tapped the ball into the back of the net.
Jack Middleby doubled the lead in the fifth minute, charging down the field, beating several Tasmania defenders and finishing into an empty net with the goalkeeper caught high off his line.
NNSWF maintained their momentum, dominating possession throughout the first half.
Middleby added his second in the 23rd minute after Eamon Gallard cut the ball back, with his strike powered into the left side of the net.
Captain Kaiden Walshe extended the lead in the 27th minute when Levi Van Haren delivered a free kick into the box and Walshe rose highest to head it home.
The under-16s showed no signs of slowing after half-time, entering the second half with the same attacking intent.
But Tasmania sat deep and made it difficult for NNSWF to add to their tally.
Tasmania pulled one back in the 50th minute on the counterattack, but they were unable to close the gap any further, as NNSWF secured a convincing 4-1 win.
The under-16s will now face Football NSW Navy in the semi-final at 1.30pm on Thursday 23 April.
Under-15s
NNSWF under-15s fell just short 3(7)-3(6) against Tasmania despite a strong first half performance.
NNSWF entered the match full of energy, with the contest beginning end-to-end.
Raman Dalaf broke through early, launching a strike from the top of the box into the back of the net in the fifth minute.
Tasmania lifted their intensity, but a tight NNSWF defence kept them at bay for much of the first half.
The under-15s doubled their lead in the 20th minute when Oliver Howard played a well-timed ball into the path of Dalaf, who volleyed it past the goalkeeper.
Dalaf secured his first half hat-trick in the 24th minute, once again finishing from a Howard assist as he tapped the ball into the net.
Tasmania pulled one back in the 26th minute, but NNSWF went into half-time with a 3-1 lead.
Despite NNSWF’s efforts, Tasmania found two more goals in the 33rd and 42nd minutes to level the score.
The under-15s continued to push for a winner, but the match remained locked at 3-3 at full-time, sending it to a penalty shootout.
Marlon Ramirez stepped up first for NNSWF but was denied, before Tasmania converted their opening attempt.
Howard scored his penalty, and NNSWF goalkeeper Balyn Mottley then saved Tasmania’s second attempt.
Ari Azzopardi and Lucas Hernandez both converted from the spot, but Jack Cameron’s effort was saved.
Tasmania struck the crossbar with their fifth attempt, before Charlie Phillips, Ronin McVey and Matt Cahill all found the net for NNSWF.
Mottley got a hand to Tasmania’s eighth penalty, but the ball deflected in.
Oscar Bibb missed NNSWF’s final attempt, before Tasmania converted the final penalty to seal the shootout.
The under-15s will go again tomorrow when they take on Football Victoria Country at 10.10am on Thursday 23 April.
NNSWF Technical Director Ryan Doidge commended the under-16s run to the semi-finals while reflecting on a hard-fought penalty shootout loss for the under-15s.
“Two different results for us today. The under-15's did really well. They scored three great goals, just couldn't hold on to the lead and ultimately lost that on penalties. That's tournament football, unfortunately,” Doidge said.
“Penalties is never a nice way to go when you're on the losing end of them, but we go again tomorrow.
“The under-15s will play two games, so it's important they recover well and they're ready to go.
“The under-16s are in the semi-final. That's two semi-final appearances now in the last three years at the Emerging Socceroos Championships.
“We're really proud of what that team's doing and we are certainly looking forward to three games tomorrow.”
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