City Boys, Rising Stars prevail in Smart 13 & Under semifinals, clash in championship finals this Saturday

Starting at 10:00 on Saturday morning, July 11, the two semifinal knockout matches were played in the Smart 13 & Under Football Tournament 2014 at the Yabra Field.

In the opener, #1 seed City Boys and #4 seed Brown Bombers played to a 0-0 draw in 40 minutes (20-20) of regulation. It remained scoreless in 10 minutes (5-5) of overtime, and it ended in a dramatic penalty shootout. Bombers shot first, followed by City Boys, and the first 4 kickers converted. Then the Bombers’ kicker missed, and City Boys players and fans stormed the field, thinking they had already won; but they still had to kick, and promptly missed, so it remained deadlocked. They continued in “sudden death” fashion until another kicker missed for Brown Bombers. This time, the City Boys kicker scored, and their many fans really burst into joyous celebration, while there were tears on some Brown Bombers’ faces. Game officials and team coaches joined in consoling the heart-broken youngsters, who were back in good spirits after a few minutes.

The nightcap between Rising Stars and Collet Strikers was just as evenly matched. With about 5 minutes remaining in regulation and the score 0-0, Collet Strikers’ tall sweeper Shemar Bowen, who was chosen “Best Defender” in the regular season, ventured into the attack to try and press for a goal. The “contra golpe” saw Rising Stars’ striker Camryn Lozano, regular season “Best Forward,” alertly beating out the other Collet defenders to a long overhead pass and expertly evaded the oncoming keeper for the go-ahead, and what proved to be the winning goal. 1-nil, Rising Stars over Collet Strikers.

This coming Saturday, the tournament concludes with the 3rd place game followed by the championship match and then the awards ceremony.

Saturday, July 19
10:00 a.m. – (for 3rd place) Collet Strikers vs Brown Bombers
11:00 a.m. – (for championship) City Boys vs Rising Stars
12:00 noon – Awards Ceremony