Penalty heartache for WA U14s in National Youth Championships for Boys final

Football West News 1664522103,1668410894
Gold Fields Boys State Under 14s (Black)
The Gold Fields WA State boys Under 14s (Black) suffered penalty heartache. Photo by David Wigley/Northern NSW Football

The Gold Fields WA State Boys U14s fell agonisingly short in their quest to be crowned champions of Australia after they were beaten in today's final on penalties by Queensland.

NSW Metro beat Queensland the U15s grand final on another rainy day in Coffs Harbour.

U14s grand final

Western Australia Black started the brighter of the two sides. Controlling much of the play in the opening stages, Lucas Mura had the best of the early chances when he fired just over from eight yards out after 10 minutes.

However, it was Queensland's Rafael Texeira Issa Costa who broke the deadlock, slotting a penalty despite the best efforts of WA keeper Jim Collins.

WA improved after the break and after Max Naylor levelled the scores, they looked the more likely to go on and win.

However, with the rain coming in sideways, neither side was able to add to the scoring and the final went to penalties. The first 11 were all scored, before WA missed and Queensland won 6-5. 

Gold Fields Boys State Under 14s (Black)
Action for today's U14s final. Photo by David Wigley/Northern NSW Football

U15s grand final

The U15s final was a bruising affair. An encounter expected whenever NSW plays Queensland. The boys in blue went on the attack in the opening minutes when Oliver Steinerts headed home an expertly delivered corner.

Junior Conde was effective throughout and NSW’s aggressive posture was smothering for the Queenslanders. Midway through the second term Conde put his team up 2-0 with a convincing penalty. Noah Mathie then put it beyond doubt for NSW running into the arms of elated squad mates on the sideline.

When Agazio Fragomeli was sent from the pitch with a second yellow card, Rylan Brownlie brought the score back to 3-1, but time wasn’t on the side of the Maroons.

In other games the Gold Fields WA U15s Black drew their third-place game with Victoria 0-0.

In the two crossover games, WA U15s Yellow lost 2-1 to NSW Metro Blue, William Ferson of Perth RedStar the scorer for WA. The WA U14s Yellow drew 2-2 with Victoria White, Braydon Nicolaou (Balcatta Etna) and Tyler Nyabinde (RedStar) on target.

Individual awards

Referee of the Tournament

• Under-14s Referee of the Tournament, Thomas Brinkworth (Football South Australia)

• Under-15s Referee of the Tournament, Jock Quartermain (Football Victoria)

Goalkeeper of the Tournament

• Under-14s Goalkeeper of the Tournament, Noah Ellul (South Australia Red)

• Under-15s Goalkeeper of the Tournament, Daniel Graskowski (Victoria Blue)