Penalty shoutouts and State v State clashes highlighted a thrilling day of Quarter Final action at the Girls' Tournament of the 2024 National Youth Championships.
The fortunate fans in attendance at the Home of the Matildas in Melbourne hardly used their seats as the end-to-end action continued to provide enthralling matches with a place in the Semi-Finals on the line.
Queensland Maroon and Invitational XI fought out a tense penalty shootout, with the Queensland side finishing on top. Northern NSW fans went home with wide smiles on their faces after both Under 15 and Under 16 sides progressed to the Semi-Finals.
Capping off day four of the Championships was an exciting match as Queensland Maroon took on Queensland Silver in the Under 16 Age Group, where Queensland Maroon claimed victory over their counterparts.
Semi-Final action kicks-off tomorrow, Sunday, at 9.55am AEST with teams playing for a chance to be crowned National Champions. If you can't make it to the Home of the Matildas - where entry is free - make sure to tune in via Kommunity TV as all matches will feature live commentary
Semi-Finals confirmed
At 9.55am AEST, NSW Metro and Northern NSW will kick-start the Under 15 Age Group Semi-Final action as Northern NSW look to take down the Metro side who are yet to taste defeat.
The Finalists will then be confirmed after Victoria Blue take the field to face Queensland Maroon at 11.20am AEST.
After finishing atop Under 16 Group B and progressing straight to the Semi-Finals, Victoria will return to the field at 12.45pm AEST to face a Northern NSW side filled with determination and grit.
Closing out the day's action at 2.10pm AEST will be NSW Metro and Queensland Maroon confirming the Finalists for the Under 16 Age Group.
Defence keeping Metro on track
Most coaches would be thrilled to hear their side has advanced to the semi-finals of the National Youth Championships with only one goal conceded, but NSW Metro U15 Coach Anissa Tann sees room for improvement.
"I would rather have no goals scored against us," she said.
"It was a mistake, that goal, but I'm someone who wants none scored against us, and the girls are aware of that."
This defensive mentality is paying dividends, as the NSW Metro side qualified for the semi-finals following a strong 3-0 victory over South Australia.
For Tann, who also coached the side in last year's National Youth Championships, it's handy to compliment a defensive mindset with attacking threats like Zoe Panagopoulos, who netted two long range goals in the Quarter Final.
"Zoe's a good kid and duel footed as well. She's got great tekkers (skills) and we've been working on her being a complete player so she's gradually improving. We're hoping in the near future there's good things to come from her."
Inspirational Invitational make friends for life
A strong Saturday crowd was treated to one of the matches of the tournament as Invitational XI's incredible run in the Under 15 Age Group came to an end against Queensland Maroon in a dramatic penalty shootout.
With the score locked 2-2 at the end of regulation time, the undefeated Queensland side secured the win with five conversations to Invitationals XI's four.
Despite the heartbreaking loss, for Invitational XI's Jasmine Smith, the wins and losses aren't too important.
"For us as a team, we've gelled so well together it doesn't matter what the score is, as long as well all play together," Smith said.
For a team who gathered for the first time on Monday this week (1 July), it only took an awkward dinner and a few games of UNO before the team started to connect.
"Most of us had never met before. We had one full training session after we arrived, and we've just come together as a team really well," Smith said.
"The first dinner was a bit awkward but as soon as the UNO Cards came out and we started playing games, we all went silly and became friends really quickly."
"I am so proud of everyone, we haven't played together for long so to make the Quarter Final and nearly win it… it's like YEAH!
"We nearly won that game and I'm so proud of everyone. I know we'll all be lifelong friends after this."
Steely Northern Steaming into Semis
Newcastle, New South Wales, is renowned for its steelwork history and blue-collar work ethic.
For former Subway Socceroo and Northern NSW U16 Head Coach Greg Brown, it's this exact attitude that's driving his side forward.
"Our squad is mainly from the Newcastle area, but we haven't been together for too long as a group," Brown said.
"The girls have got some real steel about them. They don't mind doing the hard work. You need that to get to the top, and these girls have got it in spades."
The never-say-die attitude ingrained in the Northern side shone through in their Quarter Final match, as they secured a place in the Semi-Finals with an emphatic 4-0 victory over NSW Country.
Even a formation switch didn't falter the talented side as they continue to improve with each match, according to Brown.
"We've come in with a slightly different formation than what they're used to," Brown said.
"It took a little bit of time to pick it up, but they're really smart players, so they're developing into this tournament really well."
More on the 2024 National Youth Championships:
CLICK HERE to view the Official National Youth Championships 2024 Girls' Tournament Digital Program with Fixtures
CLICK HERE to watch* the National Youth Championships 2024 Girls' Tournament thanks to Kommunity TV (*subscription required)
CLICK HERE to view the live tables and results
