The team may not have won the event, but they definitely had a great time at the RISA Cup football tournament!
The event was a great a success and the students, with the support of their loyal fans, enjoyed a lovely morning at St George’s. The team was welcomed with open arms and we thank St George’s for their great hospitality.
The teams were divided into two groups: Each team had to play two games to advance to the semi final. Unfortunately the team didn’t have a great start and succumbed to a 6-0 defeat by the eventual tournament winners. The players’ heads never dropped and they fought really hard in their next game, which also ended in defeat (3-0).
After being knocked out of the tournament in the group stages, the team only had one target left: not to finish last. And that is exactly what they did and boy, did they do it in style.
The team went ahead with what is to be considered a great team goal. Our centre midfielder got the ball, took on two players on the right hand side and then fired in a low cross for our centre forward to coolly slot the ball in. Everybody started cheering but the highlight of that moment was seeing our goalkeeper run the length of the pitch just so he could hug his teammate and congratulate her for scoring AHI’s first ever goal at a RISA Cup tournament.
The score was doubled within minutes when our centre midfielder, who had previously crossed the ball for the opener, won the ball in the middle of the park and struck a thunderous shot from about 15 yards. To top it all off, he celebrated by imitating some sort of bird and then jumped on Mr Gale. His teammates soon followed. A great scene. The image alone was exactly what being part of a team is all about.
The game finished 2-0 and AHI finished 5th.
Regardless of the results, the team gained experience and undoubtedly will have other opportunities to better this year’s outcome.
We now turn our attention to Year 4… Save the date: May 4, New School Football Tournament. More information to follow…
(Pictures and video courtesy of Year 6 parents and Mr Gale) Thank you very much.