SSC WINS THE WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS CAGE FOOTBALL CUP

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On Friday the 24th of July 2023, Western Sydney Wanderers held a 5-a-side cage football tournament to celebrate the launch of their 2023/24 A-League Season kit. Sydney Street Crew was entered into the tournament after request from WSW, as well as 12 of the strongest 5-a-side teams that compete in the area.

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Being the 2nd tournament ever held at the Wanderers Fives cage venue, as well as the 2nd tournament that we have competed at at the venue, we knew what to expect. A fast paced nothing held back style of football. Being that we won the 1st tournament held at the venue we also had a target on our back. 

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The tournament started with the 12 teams being split into 3 pools of 4, where there was a round robin format within each of the groups. From there the best 2 teams in each group progressed where the best 2 1st placed teams went straight to the semi finals, while the remaining 1st placed team and the 3 2nd placed teams have a playoff for the 2 free spots in the semi finals, from there the winners went to the final, and then obviously we get the winner. I agree this is a very unique and interesting take on a tournament structure, but I won’t complain, we just turn up to win the events, so as long as we keep winning we are good, regardless of the structure of the event.

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Our pool was strong. From the start we were challenged to a high extent, only winning our first game by 1. However after the scare we took off, winning the next 2 matches 7-1 and 7-0, meaning we were guaranteed a spot in the semi final. After 3 matches of 16 minutes, with no outs, no subs, and no half-time we were beginning to look a little worn out, so we had to play smart against teams with 4-5 subs on their bench. The semi final was also a close call, again only winning by 1, but a 2-1 win was enough to get through. This left us with the final.

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Starting strong, we scored a minute into the match immediately stamping our authority on the match, however a flurry of avoidable mistakes led to 3 goals in succession from the opposition, leaving us 3-1 down with 3 minutes left. Not a good position to be in. Luckily we were able to get a goal in response almost right after kick-off leaving us with a chance to equalize, until disaster struck… One of our players had to hobble off the field with an injury as he was unable to continue. This left us a goal down, and a player down with 2 minutes left. Due to the real determination and fighting spirit of the team we battled and managed to equalize with a minute and a half left. The game stayed as it was until what would have been full time. At the point Golden Goal began, meaning whoever scored the next goal would win the match. This was a 3 minute period, and if no goals were scored in this period it would go to a penalty shootout.

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Being a very close match and sitting at 3-3, golden goal was a very cagey affair, we had to play safe with only 1 attacking player at a time, and our goalkeeper playing as the 4th man. We held the opposition out to the best of our ability and were rewarded, when with 10 seconds left we had a break away, and scored to win the match. Securing our 2nd trophy at the Wanderers Fives, out of only 2 events locking down the Stronger Together Cup. Comebacks in situations like these lead to the best feelings when winning, so we were more than thrilled to be handed another trophy to add to our collection.