Junior game was worthwhile watching

Every now and then I get to watch a youth game that impresses me greatly.

Photo:  The Glenorchy Knights Under-13 squad with coacj Josh Dingjan and manager Marina Brkic. [PlessPix] 

Last Saturday, I watched an under-13 game between Glenorchy Knights and Olympia Warriors at Empire Couriers Park.

Knights were the league champions and it was the last game of the season for both sides.

It resulted in a 0-0 draw, but the quality of football was encouraging.

Photo:  Olympia Warriors' Under-13s, with coaches Robert Lebski (left) and Chris Tsakiris (second from right). [PlessPix]
 

Players showed great skills and a willingness to take players on rather than play innocuous square passes or back-passes.

The emphasis was on attack and often featured two-touch football.

But, players were also willing to try little tricks and to stand on the ball without panicking and to slow the game down before making a clever move.

Photo:  Action from the game. [PlessPix]  

The two goalkeepers were outstanding.

A penalty was also squandered, but overall, it showed that a goalless draw can involve exciting football.

My congratulation to both teams, and to the coaches.

Photo:  A Knights attacker striding out. [PlessPix]  

The Knights’ Josh Dingjan, and the Warriors’ Chris Tsakiris and Robert Lebski, are obviously doing something right.

All three coaches have been players and it’s gratifying to see them putting back into the game.

It will be interesting to see how many of these players make the senior ranks in the years to come.

Photo:  An Olympia attacker takes on a Knights defender. [PlessPix]
 

Photo:  Football Tasmania's David Smith hands out the league champion medals to the Knights players, who were called out one by one by captain Eddie Huigsloot (right). [PlessPix]

Photo:  Action from the adjoining grass pitch between Olympia Warriors and Kingborough Lions United. [PlessPix]