SOUTH East junior soccer talent landed on international soil recently, when a contingent of Limestone Coast Football Association (LCFA) players competed in the 2019 Singa Cup in Singapore.
The LCFA had 11 players represent the region across the Under 12, 14 and 16 Football South Australia boys teams.
Of those the Under 16’s were the most successful, finishing top of their pool and third overall for the tournament.
They were unlucky to miss out on a place in the grand final after conceding a last-minute goal to Football Western Australia in the semi-final, before progressing to the third-place playoff against a Singapore side and winning 2-1 in penalties.
The Under 14’s also fared well, narrowly missing out on finals with a loss to Football Academy Australia in the qualifier for the quarter final.
Success was limited for the Under 12 team – where coach Nick Morony also flew the flag for the South East – with just one win in a tough pool.
However, Morony was proud of his players and grateful for the opportunity to make the trip himself.
“There was a lot of high-level coaching and playing going on and we were up against some really good teams,” he said.
“Overall it was a really good experience – for me as well as the kids.”
Unlike the winter conditions faced during the Limestone Coast soccer season, the Singa Cup threw up another challenge.
“I think every day was 31 (degrees) and about 100pc humidity, so it was pretty tough playing in it,” Morony said.
“I think it was a shock for some of the Mount Gambier players who had to go over there and play.”
Following elimination from the main competition, Morony took confidence from a friendly game against Western Australia, which showed promise for the South Australian juniors
“We played a scratch match after we’d been knocked out against the WA team and we actually beat them 2-0,” he said.
“It was a good gauge to know where we are at in terms of Australian football.”
Morony said the trip was more about the experience and if his players could take just one thing from Singapore and apply it to their own games, then it was a success for him.
He was also pleased to see such a strong presence from the Limestone Coast at the event.
“We were pretty well represented across all the teams, including the girls,” he said.
“It was good to see so many kids from the Limestone Coast represented and I think it is only going to get better and better.”
