NSW v QLD: 2011 Paralympic Football Australian Nationals
The 2011 Paralympic Football National’s, Gold medal match between the Blues of New South Wales and the Maroon of Queensland was always going to be a tumultuous affair. Both teams were hosting a number of National players, all keen to impress.
David Barber (QLD Captain) and Chris Pyne (NSW Captain)
Queensland and New South Wales played each other three times during the event and in most cases NSW had the better of Queensland.
Queensland found the crisp passing combinations of Williams, Atkins and Pyne difficult to deal with.
The ball from Fairhall to Williams, pushing on from the backline, to Atkins and then returned quickly to Williams for the 1-2 to Schaberg to just shoot wide was class, and possibly the best combination of the tournament.
Young newcomer, James Turner, was a continual threat down the right side and achieved a worthy mention from the National Coach.
Queensland’s Matthew Bell was always consistent and proved a worthy advisory to the attacking runs of NSW Captain, Christopher Pyne.
Man of the match, Jared Eiby, kept Queensland in the game for much of the first half. Queensland playing a withdrawn defense had NSW pressing hard early and only his shot stopping allowed Queensland to go to the break with a clean sheet.
Jared Eiby denies NSW yet again to keep a first half clean sheet
In the second half, Queensland played very defensively but denied NSW the goal that they deserved. As NSW began to fatigue their passing and movement became less affective and the Queensland backs Bell, Paulson and Barber started to dominate. Barber’s forward runs from the back rattled the NSW backs Fairhall and Williams.
Queensland’s attack came from long balls from Barber to a forward Scott Kennedy, but mostly snuffed out by NSW last man, Brett Fairhall. The Queensland number 8, Jarrod Larkins-Law achieved a good second ball, but lack of support and a determined NSW midfield made it difficult for him.
The first goal, totally against the run of play, came from a long throw-in from Barber into the eighteen yard box whereby Queensland pressured and were rewarded by the scoreboard.
One goal down, NSW lifted through the energy and commitment of NSW Captain, Chris Pyne who seemed to find another gear.
Spurred on by their Captain, New South Wales equalised through the hard work of Ben Atkins.
Atkins plays the cutback to Pyne with Queenslander Jarod Larkins-Law denying line to goal
There was a further goal to Queensland and another to NSW. Further extra time could not decide a winner with both teams missing chances.
The tactics of Queensland Coach, Terry Kennedy, had done the job against the class NSW outfit. In fact a long throw from Barber was missed by Kennedy at the far post in the dying minutes of extra time.
The gold medal match was to be decided by goalkeepers. Ned McCabe (NSW) and Jared Eiby from Queensland, both making it difficult for the penalty takers. Both teams were deadlocked once again until New South Wales Captain Christopher Pyne sealed the victory with a well struck penalty to the bottom right of the net.
NSW Captain, Chris Pyne, seals victory for NSW
What was very clear about this National Championship was that all states came ‘to play’ football and as a spectator the football was of a high caliber. The Paralympic program’s in each of the states seems to go from strength to strength especially in South Australia where Technical Director John Mundy and Cathy Lambert have made it a priority.
Chris Pyne, Ben Atkins and Jack Williams celebrate their victory
The efforts of Queensland players Matt Bell, Jarrod Larkins-Law, Scott kennedy and Goalkeeper of the tournament Jared Eiby should be applauded as Queensland could have very easily come away with the gold. Unfortunately, football can be a cruel game, but on this day the better side did win.
Chris Pyne hoists the trophy with goal stopper Ned McCabe, rookie Ben Sutton and Logan Campbell
NSW: Australian National Champions
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