Sydney FC’s Foxtel National Youth League and Westfield W-League train on squads proved to be a success at The Big Issue Challenge Cup at Darling Harbour on Wednesday night.
Sydney FC-s Foxtel National Youth League and Westfield W-League train on squads proved to be a success at The Big Issue Challenge Cup at Darling Harbour on Wednesday night.
The Big Issue Challenge Cup is a street football tournament held annually on a floating pitch on Darling Harbour that involves NYL and WWL teams competing in a festival that, according to The Big Issue, “aims to celebrate diversity and showcase the power of football to unite the community and save lives.”
The NYL train on squad made the grand final of the cup after winning two of their round robin games (6-5 vs WSW and 7-6 vs CCM) and losing one (9-1 vs Melbourne Heart), however the squad came out runners up after being defeated by Melbourne Heart 9-3.
Chris Zuvela, one of the contracted NYL players competing, said the squad performed better than he expected.
“I didn-t think of us going this far [runners up] to be honest,” Zuvela said.
“But we did it, we worked hard and what else can you do.
“The pitch was a bit slippery for everyone, it was hard, but it was awesome making the final. It was good fun.”
The Westfield W-League train on squad did one better than the Young Sky Blues as they emerged winners of the Challenge Cup with a 5-2 victory over an ex-Matildas squad.
The Sky Blue Ladies won their first match in a thriller 6-5 against the Newcastle Jets with contracted player Mel Caceres striking at the death to clinch victory.
A win in their other round robin match (8-0 vs Marconi) coupled with a hard fought defeat against the Ex-Matildas (4-2) set up a Grand Final re-match with the girls emerging triumphant.
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