Football Club

Hills Grammar FC U13 – Kange Cup Report

From the 8-13 July, the Hills Grammar School FC Under 13 side competed in the Kanga Cup in Canberra, the largest youth football tournament in the Southern Hemisphere. 380 teams from all over Australia, as well as New Zealand, Singapore, Korea and Ghana took part in this year’s event, which drew 42,000 visitors to Canberra for the week.

This was the second year that we have competed in this tournament, and the players approached the competition with a mix of excitement, enthusiasm, confidence and some nerves.

When the final draw was released there was some eyebrows raised over the gradings. The teams which we were drawn against were North Sydney United SL (3rd in the Northern Suburbs Super League), North Sydney United A (4th in Northern Suburbs Div 1), Connells Point (4th in St George Div 1), and Monaro Panthers, Majura United and Belnorth all from the ACT. All of the teams play in higher level competitions than we do in the Hills Association competition.

Despite the difficult task ahead, the team was set three goals at the beginning of the week by stand in coach, school Football Coordinator Geoff Johnson. They were 1- improve on last year’s 7th place finish, 2 – Three wins for the week, 3 – make the semi finals.

Our first game on Monday was against the tournament favourites, North Sydney Utd Super League who we held for most of the first half before they came home much stronger winning 6-1. A good strike by Jaxon Wales was a highlight in an encouraging start.

After a brief refuelling at a Gungahlin Café, we took to the field again to face local team Majura United in our second game. It was a close, hard fought affair, with a Thomas Hanzis goal proving the difference to give the Grammar team their first win for the week. The victory lifted the team spirits as they ticked off the first of the three wins they had in their sights.

Day 2 and the side definitely appreciated the 10.00 kick off time and not having to face the Canberra frost that came with the early games. Our next opponents were Monaro Panthers, a local side who had upset the strong North Sydney United in their later game the previous day. Hills Grammar flew out of the blocks and scored after a minute and a half through the reliable Dion Malishev. This rattled the Panthers who never recovered in what was to be their only loss of the entire tournament.

The afternoon match had us facing a confident and aggressive Connells Point who had nominated to play in the Shield despite qualifying for the higher ranked Cup competition last year. We lost this match 1-6 but for the coach, manager and all of the parents and supporters on the sideline, this performance was the one of which we were all proud. All of the players, without exception, played the game in the right spirit displaying outstanding sportsmanship, respect and humility.

With a bye on Wednesday morning, the team and their families enjoyed a great night out at Ostani restaurant where the team bonded even more with computer games, pasta, pizza and a few kilos of chicken wings and the parents and supporters enjoyed a relaxed evening of camaraderie.

Wednesday afternoon and we arrived at the ground to be greeted with the pleasing news that Connells Point had been soundly beaten by our friends from Monaro in the early match. We took the field to face another Division 1 side from North Sydney United. They were no match for a rejuvenated and focused Hills Grammar who dominated their opponents finishing as 5-0 victors. The flying Aydin Dogan, possibly the quickest player in the tournament, finally got the goal that he deserved and Jaxon Wales added to his total with another good finish. However it was Thomas Hanzis who had the opposition asking “are you sure he’s not related to Maradonna?” as he cut a swathe through the opposition defence beating six opponents before sending the keeper the wrong way to complete the only hat trick of the competition. The only sour note of the day was the loss of our captain Oliver. Whilst the team headed back to their accommodation to recuperate, Oli made the trek to Canberra Hospital for scans, x-rays and treatment.

So five games down and three wins on the board – second goal ticked off for the week. One match to go on Thursday and we needed just a point to be assured of a semi-final berth.

Our opponents were Belnorth, another local ACT team. As if they needed any further motivation, the team gathered around a mobile phone before kick-off to facetime their injured teammate and took the field to their new battle cry of “Win one for Oli”. Jaxon Wales and Aydin Dogan put us 2 goals ahead before we had one disallowed which would have made us safe. But then our guest player, Patrick Largo found himself in unfamiliar territory in the opposition penalty area and after having his initial shot blocked, headed home out of the keeper’s reach to put us 3 goals up and surely semi-finals bound.  But Belnorth weren’t giving up that easily and pulled a goal back and then were awarded a last minute penalty which made the score 3-2. There was no time left for a comeback and we recorded our 4th victory of the week and confirming our place in the semi-finals that afternoon. Third goal ticked off for the week.

We finished the group stage with a record of Played 6, Won 4, Lost 2 in equal 3rd position. Our semi final opponents were Monaro Panthers who had topped the table in the group stage, losing only the one game – to Hills Grammar.

However the effects of the week long tournament were starting to take their toll. Representative attacker Rory Wilson succumbed to a foot injury and finished the week filling in as goalkeeper. So with only one fit field player as a reserve for our sudden death semi-final we lined up to take the field against Monaro. But we only had 10 players!!! Soo jin Lehrer had an unstoppable nose bleed so we had to hastily reorganise the starting lineup and 11 year old Jack Hanzis who had been so effective off the bench all week came on to start in our most important game.  The match was only 5 minutes old when Patrick Largo suffered a serious hip injury that put him out of most of the match. All of our players battled courageously but in the end, Monaro, having the benefit of being able to call on all 16 squad players were too strong and thoroughly deserved their 3-0 win. Monaro went on to deservedly win the final on Friday 4-0 against North Sydney Utd. We finished the tournament in 3rd place with the satisfaction of being the only team to defeat the champions.

Every single member of the team should feel extremely proud of their achievement, their effort and the way they represented Hills Grammar on and off the pitch.

Deniz Dogan – Only an Under 12 and playing his first full season in goals, Deniz grew in confidence as the week went on. Was the only goalkeeper in our competition to keep 3 clean sheets over the week.

Hannah Read – “Let your opponents know that you’re there” was the instruction she was given – and she sure did that. Very difficult to get past in defence.

Joshua Hill – a rock in defence, made many interceptions and even filled in as goalkeeper.

Soo Jin Lehrer – the bleeding nose was the only thing that got the better of him all week. Cleaned up everything as sweeper.

Patrick Largo – our guest player who gave 110% at all times. An absolute asset to any team.

Harry O’Neill – opponents underestimated him because of his size, he cut out many attacks and set up numerous counters down the left hand flank.

Dion Malishev – commanded the area in front of the defence and threatened every time he came forward.

Jaxon Wales – a constant threat out wide and deadly from set pieces.

Josh Murphy – a real pocket rocket who bamboozled opponents with his skill and did not stop running all week.

Thomas Hanzis – leading goal scorer and had the ball on a string for most matches. Dominant either up front or in midfield.

Oliver John – led by example all week and inspired his team, even on the sideline with a broken wrist.

Rory Wilson – Showed his class in attack until his injury forced him to show his versatility in goals.

Jack Hanzis – Frustrated defenders with his skill and played every minute with a smile on his face. Playing 2 years up did not faze him one bit.

Aydin Dogan – could not be matched for pace in attack and desperately unlucky to finish with just two goals.

Manager Sarah O’Neill – the week would not have happened without her organisational expertise for which the coach, players and parents were truly grateful.

Finally, to all of the parents, siblings, family members and friends – a huge thank you for your unfailing support, encouragement and enthusiasm. The manner in which the team conducted themselves on the field – with dignity, sportsmanship and gracious in both victory and defeat was a clear reflection of the same values exhibited on the sideline.

It was a pleasure and a privilege to be able to coach this team for the week. They did everything that was asked of them, achieved all of the goals that were set for them and easily exceeded their expectations.

The recognition of their efforts by Principal Mr Michael Smith was a just reward for the way they represented Hills Grammar School. They can all hold their heads very high.

Geoff Johnson | Football Coordinator