During AIMS the Y8 Boys and Y8 Girls NH winning Futsal teams got the news that they were invited to compete in the Auckland Champs. Whilst this meant that the teams had no time to prepare and train for the comp (both teams not having played a Futsal game since Term 1) it was an exciting opportunity to play more Futsal.
Our NH Champion Boys Futsal Team consisted of players from our AIMS Football team who had achieved an admirable 3rd place in the NZ Games. Making the adjustment to the smaller 3 size ball and fast paced indoor court game did not phase the boys who were dominant in their pool games, combining well both on attack and in defence to overcome opposition who had more futsal experience. It was a slow start in the first game against St Kents but once the NX team were in the zone and found their rhythm with their quick passing they soon capitalised on the opportunities and took out the game 7-1. In the second game against Auckland Normal Intermediate the team continued to keep up the pace and were unlucky not to put more shots in the net. It was a strong display by the Northcross side with our players both creating and finishing chances, the final score 7-2 and putting us through to a semi-final against an in form Kowhai Team.
The semi proved a real test with Kowhai applying early pressure while remaining resolute on defence. The NX team rose to the challenge and showed real determination, battling hard in centre court and finding ways through to test their keeper who made some great saves. Both teams traded goals but Northcross prevailed winning the game 3-2 and through to a final against a strong Remuera side. The final was tightly fought with chances at both ends and the score 3-2 half way through the game. The opposition had some fortune when awarded a controversial penalty and also made the most of their set piece opportunities scoring off a corner and free kick. Our NX team never gave up, scoring late in the game and playing with real skill to narrow the gap to 5-3. However time was against us and the NX team finished runners up. The team can be very proud of their team work, skill and attitude. Well done to an amazing bunch of football players who play sensational footy in many forms of the game.
Our Girls team were riding high from their recent AIMS Football victory and confidence was high heading into our first game against Remuera Int. Sachi added to this confidence with an exquisite opening goal in the game when she curled a shot into the far top corner from half way. This gave us a real stronghold in the game and we built on this to keep us ahead throughout the game eventually winning 4-2 thanks to a late brace from Eliza. Game two saw us come up with a comfortable 8-0 victory against ELIM school and left us top of the pool and into the Semi-finals. Our opponent in the Semi was St Kents with many of girls facing their opposite from the Football AIMS Games final. NX made hard work of this game! Whilst we were never behind we were constantly made to pay for any minor error. However, the girls fought resolutely and Sachi proved to be the telling difference scoring all four goals in a narrow 4-3 victory. The final saw a repeat of our first fixture versus Remuera Intermediate. Unfortunately for us, Remuera displayed their more clinical side and highlighted their more recent Futsal experience (they finished 3rd in AIMS for futsal) taking the final away from us and displaying resolute defending. That left us as winners of 2nd place in Auckland and our best Futsal placing to date. Congratulations girls on another excellent display of Futsal!
