Photo: Sportz Fotos
South Melbourne’s Under 14 girls team have recorded two big wins over the last fortnight, defeating Box Hill United and Bayside United.
These results have come off the back of a very successful campaign at the Kanga Cup in Canberra in the July school holidays. The squad competed in the largest youth tournament in the southern hemisphere under the guise of coach Mark Knauer.
The team went through the group stage undefeated in all five matches recording an encouraging +14 goal difference and conceding just three goals. They defeated Gold Coast Pirates in the semi-Final before succumbing in the Grand Final with a 1:3 loss to Shellharbour.
The girls proudly represented their club and we recognise them for their efforts.
Speaking to smfc.com.au after the tournament, Blanche Flaster shared her thoughts on the experience saying “We had lots of fun as a team. It built our confidence as we did well in the first couple of matches. It built us as a team beceause we spent a week together, seeing each other non-stop. The weather was good but playing two games a day was very challenging so we got tired, it built our stamina. It was really fun as we played teams from other places in Australia.”
Ivana Demaria was the leading goal scorer for the Club and the tournament. She spoke to smfc.com.au about her time in Canberra saying “I thought it was really good. It developed a lot of confidence in our team and I think it brought us all together. We had a few tussles, but we all worked it out as a team and I think it brought us closer together. We had to change the way we played a little bit, depending on the team, because every team plays different and we have to adapt to that. Personally I got out a lot more confidence in myself. I did a lot of things I didn’t think I could do and I got a lot more confidence in my teammates to support me.”
The Under 14 girls return to the pitch this weekend taking on Heidelberg United at Henry Scott Oval.
Results:
1: SMFC defeated Monaro Panthers 7:2
2: SMFC defeated Canberra United Academy 2:0
3: SMFC defeated Shellharbour 4:1
4: SMFC defeated Gold Coast Pirates 3:0
5: SMFC defeated Canberra Olympic 1:0
SF: SMFC defeated Gold Coast Pirates 3:0
GF: SMFC lost to Shellharbour 1:3
South Melbourne FC Squad
Amelia Scolaro
Anastacia Samaras
Angelica Gallo
Blanche Flaster
Erica Arenius
Grace Sim
Hazel Marsh
Ivana Demaria
Karina Tolios
Kristina Antrobus
Maxine Diblasi
Michaela Kambranis
Mila Dilberto
Mila Franjek
Nooria Mohammad Ziaa
Talisa Soto
Coach Mark Knauer
Team Manager John Sim
Cleansheets:
4x Anastacia Samaras (GK)
Goal Scorers:
11x Ivana Demaria
3x Karina Tolios
2x Maxine Diblasi
1x Kristina Antrobus
1x Michaela Kambranis
1x Mila Dilberto
1x Talisa Soto
