Stocky's Scribbles: Vic girls secure semi-final berth

With the weight of an entire state resting on the shoulders of our Victorian U16 girls, game five against Queensland was the game they needed to win to secure a finals berth.

Words and images by Craig Stockdale

And they did not disappoint. Dedic had spoken at length about starting well and being aggressive on the ball to force errors from the opposing team.

The Vic U16 girls took it up to their opponents once again and applied relentless pressure on the defence, which turned over the ball on numerous occasions.

The starting five of Gudelj, Stockdale, Ryan and Anthony ably backed by Mason-Jones between the posts were pumped about making inroads quickly. Once again the pressure on the ball from Ryan and the athleticism of Anthony lifted the spirits of the girls as Gudelj and Stockdale looked to secure an early break with shots on goal.

The significance of the bench in futsal cannot be overlooked and with rotations paramount to preserving energy in this heat, Dedic was clinical with his substitutions, maintaining balance and aggression at all times.

Playing in her first Futsal Nationals, Jordyn Nelson dropped into the face of goal and received a wonderful pass from out wide which she nonchalantly finished off past the keeper into the back of the net; a fabulous start for the Vics, heading into the half with a 1-0 lead.

In the run home, the Vics were adamant of maintaining the lead by remaining positive on the ball with a finals berth at stake. Ryan was again pressing forward and had several chances to bring up the second major but was denied by the Queensland goalkeeper. Smith was contesting hard at every given opportunity, maintaining the pressure that saw many mistakes provide opportunities for the Vic girls.

Deep into the second half, Stockdale drew another foul for a set shot on goal. She faked the shot, passing off to Gudelj who clinically rammed home the resultant strike to elevate the Vics’ to a 2-0 lead. Futsal 101 on display as fast passing and movement opened up the opposition defense.

Bellesis entered the fray and bamboozled the opposition with some fancy footwork, splitting open the defense and allowing her to take several shots on goal which were all unfortunately denied.

Cartwright was challenged late in the second half in goal but both her and Mason-Jones were able to come up with their first clean sheet in very trying circumstances.

Finally, Alberti and Fruscalzo combined up forward with a wonderful one-two passing sequence that allowed Alberti to put the game beyond doubt, crashing the right footer into the left-hand corner for an unassailable 3-0 lead.

The undeniable spirit and passion in the Vic U16 Girls team has seen them turn things around and now they will face their most formidable challenge, taking on the NSW Thunder in the semi-final.

Impossible is nothing! Belief is key. Commitment and Courage are onboard.

A victory will provide the Girls with a medal and an opportunity to again create history for Victorian women's Futsal.

Go get em, Vics.