Cobram Junior Soccer Association’s under-9 boys finished runner-up at the Shepparton Cup.
The Shepparton Cup, held on October 22 and 23, had 3000 players from around Australia and New Zealand compete, ranging from under-7s to under-17s.
The Cobram Junior Soccer Association had several teams compete, including an under-7s, under-9s and under-12s boys and girls team.
The under-9s played against Keysborough, Brighton, Lilydale, Rowville and Geelong teams.
The under-9s were naturally nervous, but association president Courtney Haddrell said the players acquitted themselves magnificently.
“We don’t get to play against teams of this calibre, being from a rural community,” she said.
The under-9s reached the grand final and faced the Geelong Soccer Club Lions.
The Cobram Junior Soccer Association team took an early lead, scoring a goal in the first half. However, the Geelong team managed to equalise in the second.
Neither team was able to score a winner, and the game ended 1-1.
Unfortunately, the penalty shootout didn’t go Cobram’s way, and the under-9s fell 4-1.
Despite this loss, Ms Haddrell was proud of the achievements of the under-9s and all the association’s teams.
“We have never had a team play off in the cup final before,” she said.
Ms Haddrell said the players’ performance showed the association’s strength and was evidence of the great future locally.
“We only have a small number of children from which the coaches can select. So to come against these clubs from Melbourne, which would have hundreds of players to choose from, shows how well our teams have competed,” Ms Haddrell said.
“All the players from all our teams should be proud of how they conducted themselves on and off the field.”