WINDHOEK – Ramblers Youth Academy football club is riding the crest of the wave in this year’s Kia youth football tournament, played at the DTS Sport Club in Olympia over the weekend. Ramblers teams won three categories from the four age groups.
The tournament was held for the second time this year after it was incepted early last year and according to the organizers, the event was a huge success. More than 130 games were played and for the first time the U/13 players battled it out in the multi-purpose hall, which is next to the club’s maim football field.
Ramblers clinched the top spot in the U/9, U/11 and U/13 divisions, while the hosts DTS managed to hold on to first place in the U/7 age group. “ The kids really enjoyed playing in the hall. It gave them a new challenge and it is something we would like to keep doing in the years to come,” said DTS coach Arne Dreyer.
In the U/7 and U/9 divisions, teams played in a group phase from which the three best
teams from each group advanced to the winners section, while the rest played in the losers section. Again the round robin mode applied.
Meanwhile, in the U/11 and U/13 categories, the two best teams advanced to the semi-final and then the final.
“I’m happy that we won the U/7 division, especially if you consider that I mixed my two teams for this event so the players had never played a competitive game alongside each other. Before. But at the same time one has to congratulate Ramblers for their exceptional work they have done with the kids,” Dreyer said.
In the U/9 division, Ramblers finished top with three ahead of 2nd placed Super Swallows, while the visiting Otjwarongo managed to clinch a 3rd place finish. In the final of the U/11 age category, Ramblers locked horns with Otjiwarongo.
Nothing separated the two teams over regular time, so the winner had to be determined
via the penalty shootout. Ramblers kept their cool and emerged victorious when they went on to beat Otjiwarongo 4-2 on penalties. In the U/13 final, Ramblers trounced DTS 1-0 after an epic encounter that had spectators on the edge of their seats.
By Staff Reporter