On Friday at the Northern Ireland Schools futsal qualifiers, the Model took two Year 9 teams and one Year 11 team to the Shankill Leisure Centre to attempt to qualify for the finals.
All the boys involved were fantastic, behaviour was impeccable, with an abundance of skill and talent as well. The year 9 teams qualified for the semi finals going through the groups unbeaten. Unfortunately they were drawn against each other in the semi finals. This close game was decided on penalties. In the final the boys were beaten 1-0 by De La Salle in a really tight game.
The year 11 team lost their opening game but responded by winning their next two matches. In a group decider they were beaten by St Joseph’s, but qualified for the semi finals. At this stage they beat Our Lady and St Patrick’s College 3-2, holding their nerves in a tight game. In the final they showed great teamwork in their player rotation policy, with every one of the eight players contributing to get a draw with St Joseph’s and take the final to penalties. In overturning the previous defeat by St Joseph’s, the boys gained great confidence for the shoot out. With the shoot out locked at 2-2, St Joseph’s missed and Braiden stepped up and held his nerve, by scoring to win the gold medals.
A fantastic achievement for this group of boys! Both year 9’s and 11’s have qualified for the Northern Ireland finals. Well done to all the boys and a most enjoyable days work.
