Sunday, September 1 saw over 2000 spectators flock to Valo Football Centre to bask in the beautiful Father’s Day weather and watch the Sportspower Zorich Group Cup Semi-Finals that took place.
Words by Victoria Malavazos
Full photo album available here from 80kms - A big thank you to Adam Butler for attending the day.
The day kicked off at 8.30am, with the Under 12 Sportspower Zorich Group Cup Semi-Finals. MetroStars took on Fulham United, while Adelaide Comets took on Para Hills Knights. The last few minutes of the Metros game provided plenty of entertainment. Heading into extra time, the game was goal-less. Metro thought they had secured their place in the Grand Final with a goal, however, amidst their celebrations, the goal was disallowed due to being called off-side. With full-time approaching, it was looking more and more likely that the game would go to penalties to decide its fate. Before this could happen, Metro were rightfully awarded a penalty, which resulted in Marcantonio Clemente scoring the winner. The final score was 1-0, resulting in Metro being set to take on Adelaide Comets in the Grand Final after their 5-1 victory over Para Hills Knights. Comets goal scorers included Ruben Lawrie, John Maitianos, Aaron Maru Desta and Peter Politis (2).
MetroStars took on Sturt Lions, and Raiders played WT Birkalla in the Under 13 Sportspower Zorich Group Cup Semi-Finals at 9.45am. Metro kept a clean streak against Sturt with the full-time scoreline being 7-0. Goal scorers included Zachariah Anderson (2), Massimo Granozio (2), Marcus Jones and Remy Semenov (2). Raiders couldn’t keep up with Birks, with the final score of 4-1 reflecting this. Birks’ goal scorers included Kian Taka and Seth Daly’s hattrick. Kaelan Laird scored for Raiders.
The Under 14 Sportspower Zorich Group Cup Semi-Finals kicked off at 11.15am. West Adelaide knocked Adelaide Comets out of the competition, with a 2-0 win. Nathan Amanatidis was West Adelaide’s goal scorer for the game. WT Birkalla bowed out to Adelaide City, losing 3-0. City’s Joseph Ianniello, Rodan Jaworski and Nicholas Malatesta each managed to get one in the back of the net.
The Under 15 Sportspower Zorich Group Cup Semi-Finals followed, kicking off at 12.45pm. The Adelaide Blue Eagles and Para Hills Knights game provided some Father’s Day entertainment, entailing more drama than any other semi-final for the day. Late in the second half, Para Hills looked like the confident winners, with a 2-0 lead, however, the last kick of the game saw them concede the equaliser. This resulted in the game going to extra time, in which Blue Eagles scored the drantic winner. This means they will now play Adelaide City in the Grand Final, following City’s 8-0 win over Croydon Kings. The Under 15 Sportspower Zorich Group Cup Semi-Final goal scorers were Patrick Precup, Jack Rawson and Harvey Steele for Blue Eagles; Oliver Burkin for Para Hills; and Henry Filsell, Isaac Illmer, Fiore Marzilli, Anthony Novia (2), Davis Pickering (2) and Dylan Gridley for Adelaide City.
The Under 16 Sportspower Zorich Group Cup Semi-Finals, in which MetroStars took on Adelaide City (JSL) and Adelaide City took on Campbelltown City, both kicked off at 2.25pm. Metro progressed into the Grand Final following their big 6-2 win against the JSL Adelaide City side. Jackson Fortunatow, Francesco Schimizzi (2), Cameron Dix and Marco Matto scored for Metros, and Youssef Zoheir (2) scored for City. Adelaide City secured their Grand Final place after their 3-2 win against Campbelltown. City’s goal scorers included Jalen Figueroa, Adam Harpas and Matthew Maio; while Santana Bartkowski and Costas Andreou scored for Campbelltown.
The Under 17 Sportspower Zorich Group Cup Semi-Finals were the last two games for the day, kicking off at 4.05pm. Adelaide Victory defeated Adelaide Blue Eagles 3-1, with Blake Hall (P), Daniel Harker and Jack Kingsnorth scoring for Victory, and Aidan Ielasi scoring for Blue Eagles. Adelaide City secured their spot against Victory in the Grand Final after a confident 4-1 defeat over Campbelltown. Noel Burkhardt, Alexander Duffy (2) and James Hosking scored for City and Brad Thornham scored for Campbelltown.
A special mention to all of the fathers, grandfathers and male role models who came out and acted as mascots for the matches. This gesture was to acknowledge all that you do – on and off the pitch!
The Sportspower Zorich Group Cup Finals will take place on Friday 27 September at Valo Football Centre. The night will kick off at 5.30pm with MetroStars and Adelaide Comets competing for the Under 12 Cup, and MetroStars taking on WT Birkalla for the Under 13 Cup.
At 7.00pm, Adelaide City and West Adelaide will go head-to-head for the Under 14 Cup; while in the Under 15s, Adelaide City will take on Adelaide Blue Eagles.
The last two matches for the night will kick off at 8.30pm. MetroStars will play Adelaide City for the Under 16 Cup, and Adelaide Victory will take on Adelaide City for the Under 17 Cup.
Entry for the evening will be $5 for adults and free for spectators 16 and under.