The Elephants avenge last year defeat and clinch the Australian Beach Soccer Cup upsetting the hosts twice. Vanuatu finishes third.
The beautiful Wollongong Beach in Australia hosted a new edition of the Australian Beach Soccer Cup this past weekend, bringing on some terrific beach soccer action under an awesome atmosphere. Together with Australia, Thailand, for the second year, and newcomers Vanuatu came together for an absolute thriller.
A tough defeat to Thailand in the opening game of the competition was not what the hosts were looking forward too. Mighty Vanuatu messed things up by beating the Thai in the penalty kick shootout of the second game, making their fixture against hosts Australia a true decider.
The battle between the Ni-Vanuatu and the Aussies was a fierce one, only decided thanks to an extra-time effort by the Australian star, David Zdrilic, who sent his team into the final of the championship with the 6-7 in the game.
Thailand and Australia were to face again in the match for the cup, and, sadly for the hosts, the result was not going to be much different than the one in the round robin stage. Despite the kangaroos made things much more difficult this time, one goal had the Elephants clinching the glory, avenging their defeat in 2013.
Together with the anticipated Australian Beach Soccer Cup, the crowds in Wollogong were treated to a great amateur event, the Wollongong Beach Soccer Cup. After lots of goals and great matches, Definition Fitness were crowned champions, following a 7-3 win over Copacabana.
The results of the Australian Beach Soccer Cup were as follow:
Saturday 13th of December
Australia 2-5 Thailand
Thailand 2(0)-2(1) Vanuatu
Sunday, 14th of December
Vanuatu 6-7 (aet) Australia
FINAL: Australia 4-5 Thailand
Pictures by Samuel Noakes Photographics
