IT’S the biggest match of the year, but Wangaratta City’s under 14 girls side is more than up for the challenge in their AWFA grand final this Saturday.
The Lady Devils produced an outstanding performance in the home and away season, finishing second overall with a record of 11-3-3 with a goal difference of +46.
They’ve only improved in the knockout finals series, winning through to the decider without conceding a goal, victorious 7-0 over Myrtleford and 2-0 against Wodonga Diamonds.
Coach Ludovic Costa said it had been an incredible year for the side with more than a few new players.
“We have several players for whom it is their first season,” he said.
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“Last year’s Women’s World Cup in Australia, having friends already playing, and the reputation of WCFC were all factors for them to sign up.
“The team has proved very strong both in attack (67 goals scored, third best overall) and in defence (12 goals conceded, second best overall).
“We’ve made amazing progress since the beginning of the season and become a serious contender for the Cup title.
“The group is so talented that about half the players have been given a chance to play reserve or even senior women (matches) with great success this year.”
Standing between Wangaratta and a Cup title is an impressive Albury Hotspurs outfit, who finished the season on top of the ladder and are as yet undefeated.
Costa said he expected an extremely close contest.
“Although Hotspurs team has been undefeated for the past three years, it should be a tight game,” he said.
“The three games we have played against them during the regular season have shown it, with one draw and short defeats (0-2 and 1-2).
“We’re a 50/50 chance.”
Wangaratta City takes on Albury Hotspurs in the under 14 girls AWFA grand final this Saturday, September 7, at Lavington Sports Ground from 9am.
