Yavneh progress to State championships
LEIBLER Yavneh College’s senior soccer team has advanced to next month’s School Sport Victorian State Finals, after triumphing at the Southern Metro Regional Senior Boys tournament last week.
LEIBLER Yavneh College’s senior soccer team has advanced to next month’s School Sport Victorian State Finals, after triumphing at the Southern Metro Regional Senior Boys tournament last week.
In the day’s thrilling decider, Yavneh edged out Gleneagles College 5-4 on penalties after the sides played out a tense scoreless draw through two halves and extra-time. Year 11 student Samuel Quinn, who was stoic in defence for Yavneh all day, donned the gloves during the shootout and pulled off a spectacular save, as well as slotting his side’s fifth and title-winning penalty.
During the group stages, Yavneh’s squad – comprised of year 11 and 12 students – recorded a 1-0 win against Parkdale Secondary College and a hard-fought 1-1 draw to Dandenong Secondary College. Gidon Waller scored both group stage goals for Yavneh, with the first arriving via silky build-up play between Elliot Blau and North Caulfield Maccabi first team player Yonnie Lipshatz. Waller also scored a penalty in the second game after Blau was fouled in the box.
The results were enough to see Yavneh advance into the decider against Gleneagles College.
Benji Simai and Joel Chester were solid in defence during the final, while Quinn denied the Gleneagles’ forwards any time or space. Goal scoring opportunities were scant and resulted in the penalty shoot-out, where Yavneh reigned supreme, sparking wild celebrations.
Yavneh’s coach Gidi Sweet said this victory was redemption for his team after last year’s decider.
“It was ironic it went to penalties as with this team I lost on penalties in my first year as coach and that was devastating for the boys and myself,” Sweet said.
“I told them in the final that for most of them it will be the last chance to wear their school colours and that it was up to them to keep this fairytale alive.
“This is something I would never have imagined and it is a credit to the boys’ hard work and morale. I look forward to the state finals and it will be an extraordinary experience for the boys, no matter the result.”
AJN STAFF
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