In the first game, Hosei struggled to find a goal against MEP1A despite having most of the play. Moto created chances again and again, but dogged defence kept the Japanese boys out for most of the game until a late penalty allowed them to sneak a 1-0 win. However, thanks to Henry's goal, MEP1A managed to defeat Napoleon, who were left needing a win over Hosei. Unfortunately, the Japanese put on a fine attacking display, running out 4-0 victors.
Over in Group 2, both Daddy and Wallabies managed 1-0 victories over MEP1I, and both teams were eager to win their second group game in order to avoid meeting Hosei in the semi-finals. It was the more experienced team that won in the end, with Yang and Nick starring in a 2-0 victory.
After Napoleon defeated MEP 1I to avoid claiming the wooden spoon, it was on to the semi-finals, which both turned out to be one-sided affairs. Takeshi was at his best in Hosei's 4-0 demolition of their classmates, and Yang and Nick again controlled the game in Wallabies' 3-0 defeat of MEP1A. That team did gain some consolation, however, with a 1-0 win over Daddy in the 3rd-place playoff (although they weren't helped by a lack of advantage playing from the referee!).
The final everyone had expected was here, and both teams were eager to win; Hosei wanted to win for the second time, and Wallabies wanted to make up for their December Grand Final defeat. In the first half, Wallabies struggled to get the ball out of their own half, mainly due to a lack of running, and Mohammed, in goals, saved his team several times. After the break, the game was more even, and Famy had a good chance to win the game near the end, but he couldn't keep his shot down. Moto kept creating chances for Hosei, and Mohammed kept saving them!
With no goals in regular time, the game went to a penalty shoot-out. Takeshi and Yang scored the first two penalties, and then six consecutive penalties were missed, or saved by Mohammed and Takeshi (the penalty-saving specialist!). Hosei converted the fifth spot kick, and it was up to Nick to keep Wallabies in the match. Unfortunately, he placed his kick wide of the left post, and the Japanese students streamed onto the pitch to congratulate Takeshi on his shoot-out performance!
So, it was third time unlucky for Wallabies and a second consecutive win for Hosei. This only left the announcement of the best player medal. It was obvious that one of Hosei's three attacking players, Takeshi, Moto and Kazuya would get the award, and, despite Takeshi's penalty heroics, the medal went to Moto. I felt that he was the one who got the team going when they were struggling in the first game and in the Grand Final.
The end for football at Clayton, but not for our club; join us at Caulfield!!!
Best Player: Moto
Team of the tournament: Mohammed (Wallabies), Nick (Wallabies), Takeshi (Hosei), Moto (Hosei), Kazuya (Hosei), James (MEP1A)