Football Matters with Cyclops

Local

Burdekin Panthers had just the Premiers playing at the weekend. They were playing in the Preliminary Final, against Olympic, the Old Enemy, and won 1-0. They now play in the Grand Final against Brothers this Saturday night at Paradise Park in Townsville.

Masters

Monday Night Masters has finished for the year and will recommence in January 2025.

Night Soccer

Delta Cleaners Night Soccer’s 46th Season started last week with the first of the two Trial Weeks. The competition proper starts in Week 3, 17 September. Presently, there are twenty nine Men’s teams and fifteen Women’s Teams.   To avoid a Bye situation, Late entries will be considered.

Juniors

Juniors wrapped up a successful season on Saturday with final games and also a breakup which included a sausage sizzle and jumping castle. The Juniors have had an amazing year with Townsville teams travelling down, given our kids different players to play against each week. Thank you to the commitment from the committee, coaches, and volunteers for making the year the success it was.  Thank you to all the mums, dad, grandparents, and carers for getting your kids to training and games and being a part of the great atmosphere that was for all the see at the grounds each Saturday.  Have a good break from Saturday's now and we will see those of you doing Junior social soccer on Tuesday's next term!

National and International

Only five weeks now before the A League kicks off its 2024-25 season. The first round will be played over the weekend of 18 - 20 October. The Premiers, Central Coast Mariners are at home to Melbourne Victory and new team Auckland meet Brisbane Roar.

The Socceroos were back in action on Wednesday night when they played Indonesia in Jakarta. After their shock 0-1 loss to Bahrein last Thursday, they need to win and win well in the second of their AFC World Cup Qualification matches. There are six teams in the Socceroo’s Group, and they have to play all of them on a home and away basis. The group’s top two teams qualify automatically.

There were no games last week in the EPL and all other European Leagues as all countries are taking part in the Nations League. Notable results so far include Spain beating Switzerland 4-1 and Germany thumping Hungary 5-0. Scotland lost 2-3 at home to Poland and England squeezed past Northern Ireland 2-0.

More importantly San Marino, population 35000, and ranked number 210 in the world, (out of 210) won their first ever game beating Lichtenstein, ranked 199, 1-0.

Quote of the Week is from ex West Ham player and Northern Ireland Manager Steve Lomas "Germany are a very difficult team to play...they had 11internationals out there today."

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