After an eventful Day 4, starting off playing in the semi-final against Northern Rovers in the driving rain. Going into penalties after a 1-1 draw in normal time (Naoki takao scoring in the first half), the boys kept their nerve and won the penalty shootout in a classic do or die game.
The final against Bay Olympic U17s due a big crowd and also passion from our entire squad.
Hugo Debenham scored making it 1-0, which bought us to Half-Time. Then a flurry of second half goals as both teams went for the big prize. Bay Olympic struck first 1-1, then Jakaya Anink scored after been put through by Jackson Cole making it 2-1 to United. Then another Hugo Debenham goal (his 7th goal of the tournament) after a clever asset by Tommy finished off the job, Bay's got another back but it was too late
PLATE FINAL RESULT Christchurch United U17s 3-2 Bay Olympic U17s
After the final whistle our co-captains had these words to say to the waiting media...
Nick Murphy
"It’s a bit of a bitter sweet feeling you know, not making it into the top 2 in the group stage meant we went down into the lower division. Instead of keeping our heads down we kept fighting and hey what do you know, we won the plate"
Jackson Blake
"Team put in a shift and we ended up getting something out of this tournament which is always good"
Finn Whitham
"Western Springs has been really good learning curve, the north island teams are on a very good level, better than the South Island teams especially their shooting which as a keeper are very fast and very accurate. They normally shoot near post which is difficult to save. Its been a tough tournament throughout, where we have conceded goals, more than I would of liked"
