29/11/2011
St Caths Under 16s Girls International Schools Tournament.
We put away the disappointment of losing the U19's Final on penalties to win the U16's tournament with a 100% winning record.
Results were as follows:
Byron 3 ACS 1
Byron 2 St. Lawrence 1
Byron 2 Campion 0
Byron 1 St. Caths 0
So proud of my girls , as we had the smallest squad, just 12 players, won every match and even played the final straight after the semi-final against a fresh team, so no time to rest. Even more pleasing was the average age of our squad was only 13 yrs, so a vast majority of this squad can play in this category for another 2 years yet.
We were all very tired after the final but winning the cup made us feel a lot better.
Our 8 goals were scored by Susanna Mykoniatis 3
Nikoletta Awartani 3
Oraina Awartani 1
Mansi Mulpani 1
All through the tournament, we played football the Byron way, passing it around but what pleased me more was the longer the competition went on the stronger my defence became. The girls by the second half of the final against St. Caths were very tired but the defence did its job along with our goalkeeper Sarah Chenine, to see us comfortably home.
I know Sarah was very nervous at the start, as she is used to 5 a-side goals but after a nervy start, her confidence grew game by game.
Every player in the squad did their part but I must give a special mention to my captain Nikoletta Awartani, not just for her 3 goals but her leadership on the pitch and even by the second half of the final, back helping the defence and capping off a fine all round display. The defence of AnaGabriella, Laila and Victoria Anna, were outstanding, my midfield of Susie, Hulkar and Nikoletta ran themselves into the ground as did my forwards Oraina and Stephanie. We could not have done it though without the support of our subs, Faye, Aya and Mansi who even came on and scored in the ACS match.
All in all girls, a great day and very well done.
I know you all wear ear plugs so that you cant hear me shouting....lol