Gorleston Rangers FC

The Gorleston Rangers Under 11a team took part in this weekend's Soccer on the Sands tournament with a very strong squad playing the part of Japan.

We were drawn in a group with Cameroon (North Walsham) France (Mundford) and Germany (Blundeston) and had to be placed in the top 2 to progress through to the Quarter Finals. 1st up we played Cameroon and after 5 minutes each way we had a 1-0 win under our belts through a Ben G goal and played very well, then after a break we faced France who had looked a good team in their first game. A close game resulted in a 1-1 draw with the goal again coming from Ben G. Last up in the group was Germany and after thinking we had already qualified we were guilty of taking the game far to lightly, losing 1-0 despite being camped in the German half for the 2nd half. Luckily we found ourselves through to the Quarter Finals on goal difference and we knew we had to take it up a gear or two to go any further.

In the Quarters we faced a Portugal (Poringland) team that had won their group, and the team oozed class from the kick-off to come out with a 6-0 victory with goals coming from Connor x3, Spud, Mitch and Ben H and it could have been more!!! So on to the Semi-Finals, and it was win or home in a tight game against Holland (Rocklands Youth) where we played again very well, controlling play and defending impressively in a 1-0 win with the winner again from Ben G.

Break until the final with all the boys looking very determined in a game against a very strong looking Argentina (Morton Hall) side that had won every game and barely conceded a goal in the tournament, the team talk was along the lines of play your football and fight for every ball and the winners trophies will be ours, so in the game we took an early lead thro Zak and then defended like tigers, countering when we had a chance, and a final Ben G goal ensuring we had the World Cup in our hands!!! Time ticked on and at the final whistle the Japanese fans went wild!!! A 2-0 victory and some excellent dispays by every single player from goalie right through the team. Scoring 11 goals and conceding only 2, we were worthy winner in my opinion. Well Done Boys, you got what you deserved after working your socks off. Thanks to all our supporters, especially Paula and Julie for their Japanese words of wisdom, and also to Gary M for helping with the team.