The Sunshine Coast Fire Under 15 Boys impressed in the Gold Coast Champions Cup last week, playing some incredible football and coming away as runners-up in the Under 16s division.
The Fire team along with extra players Liam O’Bryan and Alex Alcock from Olympic, Adam Edgar from Morten Bay and Luke Devitt from the Sunshine Coast Fire Under 16s travelled down to the Gold Coast for the tournament which ran from September 28 to October 5.
The Fire started the campaign in style with an impressive 6-0 win against Junior Premier League winners Pine Hills.
Coach Daniel Carew said the boys’ performance was outstanding in this first match.
“We played a perfect game; the structure was perfect and the combinations between defence, midfield and our front third were destructive,” he said
“Unfortunately we had a bad patch in our next two games with a loss to University of Queensland FC 4-1 and Palm Beach 3-1.”
The Fire then had to win the last game for the chance to continue in the competition. Fortunately the boys were able to win 8-0 to secure a runner-up position in their pool.
The Fire then played Cumberland United from SA, who had won the other pool.
“This match was a strong contest,” Carew said, “but the Fire boys played some incredible football and ran away with the semi-final 5-0.”
The boys were then set to meet UQ in the Grand Final.
“It was a great platform for the boys and we played the better football,” Carew said.
“However, when you are playing a year up strength really does play a big part. UQFC took its chances and we did not. We had opportunities to be 2-0 up in the first 20 minutes but unfortunately we didn’t capitalise and ended up losing 3-0…but in the finals that is the difference.”
Carew congratulated his players on their efforts throughout the week, particularly Luke Devitt and Timi Adu, who delivered stand-out performances.
“The whole team dug deep and played some great football. Both the tournament organisers and the University of Queensland coach commented on the quality of the Fire’s football.”
Four players from the squad are now being considered for a Manchester United football trip awarded to players of the tournament. Players Timi Adu, Luke Devitt, Cameron Nairn and Liam O’Bryan were all recommended.
