Dover Lions do the school proud with well earned 2nd place finish
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Dover Lions do the school proud with well earned 2nd place finish
Dover Lions do the school proud with well earned 2nd place finish
With only letting in three goals and only losing one game before Finals day, the team had high expectations of themselves and were looking for success. What we did not plan for is the children coming back of a week’s exhausting trip to Thailand the night before the finals. The players started to arrive with eyes glazed over and with team captain Riku getting injured on the trip, it was looking difficult to get past the group stages as the standard was at a high level in Division 2. However the children started bright beating Nexus 2-0 to get 3 points on the sheet, after that we had three 1-0 wins, 1-1 draw and one 2-0 win, with these points and scores you would think we would be through! This was not the case as if we lost to Tanglin in our last game we were possibly out. Thankfully the children got the draw and we finished top out of 7 teams.
The Swiss were the team to beat to get us in to the finals and they were very strong, however with many chances missed we were looking likely to go through! It was not the case and the game went to penalties. As our players set up for penalties the Swiss changed their goal keeper and he was simply too good to get past, with the Swiss cheering and celebrating Mr Liperis had a little word in the referees ear to confirm if they was allowed to change the goal keeper, the answer was a no and we had to retake! Drama in the semi’s. Riku did not mess around in his penalty, after the Swiss missing and us scoring…. We were going to the final!!!! (Please see video of semi-final drama)
After the drama of the semi-final, exhaustion and the heat, the children showed reduced energy against Tanglin. One ball got into the box which caused problems as Tanglins tall striker headed it in, and with little time to reply unfortunately the children could not get the equaliser. However the children were fantastic and all factors considering, a silver medal is more than awesome! Well done boys, the school cannot be more proud of their efforts. In total, out of 10 weeks of football tournaments including the finals, the children only let in five goals, which is unbelievable stats.
Well done boys!
Luke Liperis
PE Teacher
