Stocky's Scribbles: Southern NSW

During this year’s FFA Futsal National Titles in Canberra, we will be following the fortunes of the Victorian U14 Girls team as they strive to improve on their semi-final finish in the 2011 edition. Day to day Craig Stockdale will keep you updated with a match report and photos from their latest fixture as they represent their state and sport with pride;





Victoria 2 (Amy Silver, Alicia Vakalopoulos) defeated Southern NSW 0

As game five became a dead rubber with positions two and three on the ladder already decided and filled by Victoria and Southern NSW, the match became an opportunity to review each other’s armoury and see what weaknesses emerged under pressure.

Coach John Perich was again withholding what he could tactically by mixing up the structure and allowing different players to experience different roles on the court.

The starting four of Emma Heckenberg, Lucy Kennedy, Alicia Vakalopoulos and Amy Silver was another attempt to confuse the opposition and for the girls to establish working relationships in different circumstances. The team started well and were immediately on the front foot applying pressure to the defensive line-up of Southern NSW. Several attempts on goal by the Vics were thwarted by the NSW keeper and the half was completed with the scored squared at nil all.

The second half saw a change in personnel and the many substitutions brought several openings for Victoria. Kennedy was again skilful in driving the ball through the middle of the court while Maddie Stockdale and Dani Gudelj offered good options up front.

Katrina Bellesis was hard at the ball, once again drawing fouls from the opposition and frustrating their more physical players while Sienna Go and Charlotte Bartyl again showed skill beyond their years as they setup several defensive plays to open up options for the Vics.

Silver received a pass while forward and with deft precision slotted the ball between the keepers legs to secure the first major for the Vics. In conjunction with Vakalopoulos they pressured the NSW defence and drew many errors - one fell to Vakalopoulos in which she was able to convert into the second goal through the unusual option of her right foot. The girls continued to try new things in preparation for the finals series.

The Vics continued to pressure the opposition and in the end came away winners without any injury.

The semi final this afternoon will be played at 5.20 and will determine who will have the opportunity to challenge the formidable NSW Thunder who are expected to again be a shoe-in for the Grand Final.

Read all of Stocky's futsal reports by clicking here.