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With another early game scheduled for the Victorian girls following a tough, physical late afternoon game the day before, it seems the draw was heavily weighted to suit certain teams with these games scheduled late in the tournament as well. Nevertheless, the mood of the Victorian girls was very positive and enthusiastic as they made their way to the middle to exchange welcomes and shake hands with the competition.
It was very clear from the start of the game that NSW Metro were always going to be a tough team to beat with excellent ball skills and a history of performing on the big stage.
The Victorian girls started very positively with several changes to the team including the movement of a key defender to the forward half which yielded very positive results for the team and a focal point up front. Movement of the ball was crisp given the heavy conditions and the girls combined well early to see some solid shots on goal just fail to penetrate the back of the net. The structure employed early netted some positive results with many of the girls tackling strongly and continuing to push forward at every opportunity.
With a preconceived plan of play that conforms with the FFA regulations, the Victorian girls continued to play the ball from the back to the front of the pitch and into the scoring areas, refraining from "bombing" long kicks out of defense into attack like the opposing team.
Although this style of play seems prohibitive on free flowing play and at times concedes opposition goals, it has been stipulated that the girls continue this format of play and develop skills around constructing attacks in an orchestrated fashion.
The use of player rotation in the midfield to create space and break free of the opposition is preferred over kicking the ball out or hitting the side lines. The statistics in the first half of the game clearly reflected that the Victorian girls were achieving this style of play but were unable to finish their hard work in attack.
Victoria battled hard in the demanding conditions and chased after opponents when losing the ball across the ground. A free kick up forward saw the shot hit the cross bar and rebound back into play without yielding a result for the team.
Although outgunned by the opposition in the first half on the scoreboard, things could have been worse. Like the huge "bang" heard from the pacific highway where a car had skidded off the major road and through the wooden barriers coming to rest not far from Oval 2 where the game was underway. Happy to report all ended well with no injuries other than some pride to the driver.
The second half of the game saw the Victorian girls restrict the opposition scoring through maintaining possession play and team structure – this is the triangle and diamond structures employed by some of the best football teams in the world like Barcelona.
Development is key at this age as the attributes required to play and maintain possession football is paramount and a mandatory attribute at the National Youth Championships given the quality of the players and talent.
With the main games of the draw now completed, the Victorian girls can hold their heads high as they executed what was asked of them in the most difficult conditions. Congratulations to every girl in the Victorian U15 State team for their effort and the way they conducted themselves during the tournament – no yellow cards registered and very few fouls. Good clean and calculated football.
You have all represented your state with great pride and I know all of the supporters, families, coaches, officials and parents alike wish you well for the future.
Victoria play West Australia tomorrow in an exhibition match prior to the announcement of the "All Stars" teams and awards presentations.
Craig Stockdale reporting in Coffs Harbour