2015 WELLINGTON SHOOTOUT

This weekend, our FUTSOC FUTALAN U17/18/19 team, attended the highly respected 2015 Wellington Shootout, completing a slate of matches where our team was entirely dominant, in convincingly winning 2 matches against Okeeheelee Premier 2::0 and Okeeheelee Royal 3::1, and tying the third match in a scoreless match against perennial nemesis Weston FC Grey 0::0.

Due to the structure of the grouping – all six teams in one single bracket, only the top two teams advanced to a single final match. As such, despite accumulating 7 points in the three matches, we did not qualify for the championship match.

Excellent goal keeping by Orel Cohen produced two clean sheets and nearly a third, on excellent coverage with numerous saves throughout. A stout defense, combined with a dominating midfield, allow domination of all matches. Regrettably, our goal production was less than usual, costing us valuable points in our tie and point differentials in the other matches. So, despite five goals scored, one given up, and two shutouts, we were not able to move on to the final.

However, the greatest benefits derived from our participation at this event, were the opportunity to give our younger players valuable exposure and play time against higher level competition. Junior players Karl Ackerman, Bruno Saade, Julian Salowe and Diego Ortiz, experienced the fast pace and physicality of this age bracket and demonstrated great progress throughout the event. All four players were played in advanced position roles – midfield and forward, and performed admirably against older, stronger and more experienced competition.

Game 1- Okeeheelee Royal: Goals scored: Matias De La Flor (1), Karl Ackermann (1)

Game 2- Okeeheelee Heat: Goals scored: Landon Lupo (2), Victor Henriquez (1)

Game 3- Weston FC: Goals scored: None

Clean sheets: Orel Cohen (2) – Game 1 and Game 3

Tournament summary: Wins: 2, Ties: 1, Losses: 0 Goals for: 5, Goals against: 1

FUTSOC FUTALAN U18 (WELLINGTON – 19): Orel Cohen, Alejandro Pages, Omar Herrera, Keon Waite, Wadson Laurant, Gabriel Gonzalez, Andre Salgado, Djymy Cestine, Karl Ackermann, Victor Henriquez, Jose Navarro, Landon Lupo, Julian Salowe, Matias De La Flor, Diego Ortiz, Myke Zamor, Bruno Saade, Daniel Atilano, and Mateo Galiano.

Congratulations to FUTALAN U17/18/19 on a fine effort for this first event of the year for our young boys!