Burwood the surprise of the weekend going out in the semis on penalties before securing 3rd with a shootout win over FC2011 this morning. their keeper picked up MVP. Not bad for a team seeded 16th. Can they back it up next year?
Strong performances from both Nelson girls and boys, boys will be kicking themselves not winning after creating numerous chances to win it. Coastal's vaunted midfield failed to fire and they struggled to score goals all tournament even with a host of MPL players in the side. Still Skippy will be happy to head off to Nelson having redeemed himself with the title :)
It's interesting that current MPL champs Bays weren't in attendance while main rivals CTech had 2 teams (5th & 14th) there plus one in Napier (semi finalist), FC2011 had 2 teams there (4th & 6th) and hosts Coastal had 2 teams (1st & 11th). How long can Bays hang on with no development (no junior team above 14th grade)? My guess is when their misguided approach finally catches up with them they will experience a very rapid decline.
Also Western not represented in the boys and struggled a bit in the MPL this year, also short on junior teams, could this be a pointer to their future?
United there in the boys (13th), how many of those lads will get the call up to Div 1 next season? I hear they are losing MPL players since relegation became a reality at the end of the season.
Nomads with a host of junior teams but not at the tournament for the first time in 5 years. What's up there?