Mindil Aces finish strong to win inaugural Thank a First Responder Cup over Port Darwin
An ‘exciting’ win in recognition of Territory emergency services has given the Mindil Aces a boost in their premier league standing.
Soccer
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Mindil Aces came home strong to claim the inaugural first responders cup after its senior men’s side defeated Port Darwin 3-1 at the Darwin Football Stadium on Saturday night.
Overall points were tied after the Aces men’s reserves side won the first game and Port Darwin won the following game in the women’s reserves match.
The cup winner came down to the final game in the senior men’s clash where the Aces were able to streak out to an early 2-nil lead in the encounter before coming away 3-1 victors.
Matthew Wallace opened the scoring account for the Aces before striker Uche Okwara scored his fifth goal of the season to maintain his average of one goal per game.
Port Darwin had a glimmer of hope at halftime after they fought back with a goal to go into the break 2-1 down.
But Aces striker Jake Wright sealed the game with his first goal of the season to make it 3-1.
Aces coach Daniel McCormick said it was an “exciting game” for his side who will edge closer to second position on the table after second-placed Casuarina lost 2-1 to University Azzurri on Friday night.
“It’s nice to have this symbolic cup to celebrate certain things happening in the community,” McCormick said.
“To be able to celebrate something like first responders in quite special to us and probably quite overdue with how much they give to the community.
“We were pretty happy to have the acting commissioner down there and for it to roll out in the format it did which was not just one team winning the cup, it was essentially all three divisions contributing towards the broader win.”
The Aces have more than 600 players registered which include many juniors who have parents working as first responders.
The club’s senior men’s side had two police officers and a firey in their side last season before the trio had to depart the club after being relocated to Alice Springs where two of the emergency service workers now play for Verdi.
On June 3 earlier this month, the teams came up against each other in the Australia Cup where Verdi came away with a 2-nil win.
Top four sides Aces and Azzurri will go to nine points on the men’s premier league standings following Round 7 while Casuarina will remain on 13 points in second position behind Hellenic.
Port Darwin, Mindil Aces to play for inaugural ‘Thank a First Responder Cup’ in recognition of frontline workers
The tireless work of first responders will be honoured and acknowledged when Darwin premier soccer clubs Port Darwin and Mindil Aces meet for their round 7 encounter this Saturday.
The two clubs will play for the inaugural Thank a First Responder Cup at Darwin Football Stadium in Marrara, marking the start of a new annual tradition in the Top End sporting calendar.
Alongside police, fire, paramedics, and emergency services, the wider public is also invited to attend to thank those who put themselves at risk in order to keep communities safe.
The evening will feature matches between the men’s and women’s reserve teams, followed by the main event between the two men’s premier league sides at 8pm.
This highly-anticipated match will determine which team will have the honour of lifting the inaugural Thank a First Responder Cup.
Port Darwin president James Bowden said it was an event the club was “proud to stand behind”.
“This is an event that we expect will get bigger and better every year – raising well-deserved support for first responders,” Bowden said.
Mindil Aces president David McWilliam said the event would recognise first responders including some from their own club.
“With so many first responders who are current and former Aces players, we wanted to bring the community together to get around our emergency services and show them how much they mean to us,” he said.
Fortem Australia, who support the mental health and wellbeing of first responder families all year round, is behind the Thank a First Responder Day.
The not-for-profit organisation said it was “proud” to present the day.
“Watching it grow stronger over the past four years with overwhelming support from communities all over Australia,” a Fortem Australia spokesman said.
“Fortem are here to support the mental health of first responder families all year round, but thank a first responder day is the community‘s opportunity to do the same.
“It’s wonderful to see our Darwin sporting community getting behind this commemorative day and showing appreciation for our First Responders and all they do for our community.”
NT Police, Fire and Emergency Services Superintendent Neil Hayes said the day recognised and showed appreciation “for the brave men and women who put their lives on the line daily to keep our communities safe”.
“Whether you’re a firefighter, police officer, emergency service personnel or paramedic, frontline members work tirelessly to serve and protect,” Hayes said.
The NTPFES thanked Fortem Australian and the players and organisers for hosting the first ‘Thank a First Responder Cup’.
Sophia Makyrlos powers two Hellenic equalisers in WPL 2-2 thriller with Olympic
The pace and skill of an up-and-coming Territory soccer star was the highlight of the Greek derby between Darwin Olympic and Hellenic Athletic on Tuesday night.
Hellenic attacking midfielder Sophia Makyrlos stole the show at Darwin Football Stadium in her side’s 2-all draw.
The 17-year-old had the final say in the game when she got past Olympic defenders and scored the equaliser in the 78th minute to get her side a point from the game.
It was almost a fairytale finish when the youngster played a perfect ball into the box in extra time to set up a victorious goal, although her pass went unrewarded as an attempted shot was unsuccessful.
Earlier in the game, Makyrlos played a similar ball into the box at the other end which led to a 1-all equaliser for Hellenic.
Hellenic women’s coach Matt Hajdic said Makyrlos was a “very good player” who was capable of going to the next level.
“If the opportunity comes, she should definitely take it with both hands,” Hajdic said.
“It’s just a matter of getting the right contacts and getting someone to see her.”
Hajdic said her humility stood out to him.
“Apart from all her skill and everything, just the way she is so humble, her humbleness is amazing,” he said.
“She is a team player, puts the team first and will never whinge and complain even though she is one of the better players in the team.”
Hajdic also mentioned a number of her on-field attributes.
“She has got a really good eye for the pass, her dribbling obviously, her pace, everyone can see her pace, that’s easy on the eye,” he said.
“She is actually very strong for her size, she knows how to use her body and her finishing is just above her years.
“She is slotting goals left right and centre.”
Makyrlos has scored four goals in two cup games and five goals in four regular season matches so far this campaign.
The youngster represented the NT as an overager in the U16 nationals last year where she scored in every game.
In the men’s encounter, Hellenic dominated with two goals in the opening eight minutes, setting up the ladder leaders for a strong 8-1 win to claim the GleNTi cup for the second time.
There was a glimmer of hope for Olympic when striker Mitchell Amidy scored in the 15th minute to cut the margin to 2-1 but it was Hellenic from then on who piled on six more goals.
Hellenic’s Simon Bell led the charge at the front with his second four-goal game of the season while Matthew McNab scored two.
Bell has 12 goals and seven assists from the first eight games of the season and McNab has eight goals and 11 assists.
Nicholas Stefanidakis and Tega Adjeke were the other goalscorers in the derby.
‘One of the biggest games of the season’: Greek rivals Hellenic, Olympic set for battle
A Hellenic team which bounced back into form on the weekend will take on a fresh Darwin Olympic outfit in a blockbuster Greek derby at the Darwin Football Stadium on Tuesday night.
As part of the Darwin GleNTi festival, more than 700 fans are expected to spend the evening in Marrara watching the men’s and women’s premier league football action with the Glenti Cup on the line.
In the MPL, reining champions Hellenic moved to top spot on the ladder after a 2-nil win over Port Darwin in Round 6 on Saturday.
It marked a move back to winning ways in the MPL for Hellenic after they suffered their first loss of the season (Azzurri 5-4) the week before.
Following the loss, the Hellenic boys quickly responded however, defeating Azzurri with a strong 3-nil win in the Australia Cup on the Tuesday to progress through to the Cup grand final.
On the other hand, Olympic will enter this Tuesday night’s derby after a 10-day break as the fifth-placed side didn’t play a game on the weekend.
Their last game against Darwin Hearts in Round 5 saw them come away with a 1-all draw.
Hellenic coach Dimi Galanopoulos said it was a game players marked down on the calendar before the season.
“It’s one of the biggest games of the season, it’s the Greek Cup, we expect about 700 people again this year,” Galanopoulos said.
“We have been excited for this game from the start of the season.
“All the boys are excited to play the game with so many people in the crowd.”
“There is not just one reason to play well, there are many reasons to play well and win the Greek Cup,” he said.
“We won the first Greek Cup two years ago, last year was a draw.
“This year, we are targeting to win it again.”
In the WPL Hellenic is coming off a bye while Olympic will look to bounce back from a 3-1 loss to Casuarina on Friday.
Darwin Hearts eye big comeback in Australia Cup blockbuster against Mindil Aces
Darwin Hearts will have the chance to quickly bounce back from a poor 9-nil loss to reigning champions Hellenic last week when they take on Mindil Aces in Round 5 of the Australia Cup on Tuesday night.
The Hearts are winless after the first four rounds of the MPL season but a 3-2 win against Darwin Olympic in their opening Australia Cup game about a month ago and a decent showing against the Aces in Round 3 of the regular season will give them confidence heading into the midweek clash.
The Hearts led the Aces 1-nil at half-time in their clash a fortnight ago before conceding two goals, then equalising through a brace from attacking midfielder Esborn Sikiah, before the Aces ended up winning 4-2.
Hearts team manager Raj Sapkota said his side had moved on from their big loss and were ready for their upcoming game.
“Pretty disappointed but that is football sometimes,” Sapkota said.
“We are ready for this Tuesday for the Australia Cup game.
“Hellenic have been in the business for almost 65 years, we are a four-year old club.
“We are a great club, we are not looking back on what happened last week.
“The boys are very motivated and they are going to give their 100 per cent.”
Hearts coach Dipesh Kadel said his side were confident heading into their Cup game against the Aces considering they had conceded two penalties the last time they played them in a 4-2 loss.
“In those four goals that we conceded (against the Aces), two of those were penalties and two were after 80 minutes.
“I’m looking forward to the game, they are a good side Mindil Aces.”
Kadel said playing to the strengths of his side will be the focus for the game.
“We have had guys training back-to-back for three to four months in the pre-season and some of the players have been in the team for a really long time,” he said.
“We will look to play as a team and to our strengths.
“They are a very good opponent to play for a second game of the Australia Cup.”
The 2-0-2 Aces will enter the blockbuster match coming off an upset 2-1 loss to Port Darwin on the weekend.
Casuarina continue undefeated run following Australia Cup win
Casuarina has started their 2023 campaign in fine form under returning coach Zelio Casimiro with an undefeated start to the MPL season which was followed by a solid first-up 4-1 win in the Australia Cup on Tuesday night.
Defence has been the key to the Rowdies success with only three goals conceded in their four matches of the year.
The Rowdies recorded 1-0 wins in the opening and third rounds against Darwin Hearts and University Azzurri respectively.
Their second MPL match saw a come-from-behind 2-all draw against reigning champions Hellenic.
Coach Casimiro was pleased with his side’s do-or-die Australia Cup win against Port Darwin on Tuesday.
“Always good to have a strong start being undefeated,” Casimiro said.
“It is one of our goals to secure wins nice and early in the season.
“With the win on Tuesday night for our first Australia Cup game, the boys knew what was at stake.
“And the first three games, they have set the tone for us in regards to knowing how to keep ourselves in the game and to potentially win it.”
In the midweek encounter, Mark Casimiro and new recruits Tim Robertson, Ethan Cameirao, and Charles Aidoo Jnr were the goalscorers.
Casimiro, who was previously senior coach at the club for three seasons from 2019 to 2021, said their defence played a strong part in their success so far this year.
“If we can keep our opposition scoreless, that’s half the battle won with winning a game,’ he said.
“We have got a couple of good goalkeepers in our squad which is good, it sets that high standard to what we want to achieve in winning as many games as possible.”
Both Rowdie goalkeepers Dyan Newall and Nelson Nheu have maintained a clean sheet this season with the pairing sharing match day duties based on their availability.
Casimiro also complimented skipper Gordon Pereira for leading the way with “setting high standard and driving the team.”
New signings in Cameirao (University Azzurri) and Robertson (WA), who have joined the Rowdie midfield this year, were also credited by Casimiro for their starts to the season.
“We have had a couple of additions to the squad this year which has helped boost the whole squad in general to have a bit of depth,” he said.
“They have been pretty handy additions to the team.
“Their standards are high, they have set goals personally to actually win something which is overall our team goal to win as much as we can.”
The club last had great MPL success in 2019 when they won the premiership and championship in the same season.
In 2021, the Rowdies achieved inaugural qualification into the Australia Cup Round of 32 which was known as the FFA Cup when at the time of when they made it through.
MPL soccer Round 3: Goalscoring Tega Adjeke steers Hellenic to 3-0 Greek derby win, Casuarina, Mindil Aces win
A strong defensive display and goals from Tega Adjeke, Paraskos Koum and Matthew McNab powered MPL reigning champion, Hellenic, to a dominant 3-0 win over Darwin Olympic in the Greek derby on Saturday night.
The big win keeps the Blues undefeated to start the season and gives them a boost in goal difference (+6) to firmly hold top spot on the MPL ladder after three rounds.
Blues coach Dimi Galanopoulos was pleased with his side’s effort after a pre-season where they worked “very hard” for three months.
“I’m happy with the performance from the boys,” Galanopoulos said.
“They followed the plan very well, they stayed together from the start to the end as a team and as a unit so I am very happy about that.”
Galanopoulos was glad his side were able to maintain their lead in the match following their Round 2 game against Casuarina where they drew 2-2 and gave up one-goal advantages on two occasions.
“The lesson from the game against Casuarina was to finish the game, to be very careful,” he said.
“That was the lesson against Casuarina, we were up 1-0, we lost many opportunities to score second and third goals, we didn’t do that and at the end, we paid for it. It’s what happens in football.”
Blues fullback, Adjeke, continued his spectacular run of goals this season after finding the back of the net for the third consecutive week against his former club.
It came as no surprise to Galanopoulos who knows Adjeke can go forward and score, especially in set pieces.
“Tega Adjeke was a very successful striker down south in Victoria but here in Darwin, he plays as a centre back so he has that scoring instinct,” he said.
“We all believe in him.
“He has the instinct to score goals, it is not something new for him.”
Galanopoulos was also pleased with his side’s efforts in defence.
“As a team, we have the best goalkeeper in Darwin in Kane McAdam,” he said.
“We had the best defence last year if you check out the stats.
“Kane McAdam is a super good goalkeeper, Alex Turner the captain and Tega Adjeke; they make a super good trio.”
Galanopoulos was also pleased with the performances of Kimon Toumazos and George Karpathios on Saturday.
The Blues are striving for another top finish this MPL season as well as a strong showing in the Australia Cup which will kick off on May 30.
The Blues are the only unbeaten side in the competition alongside Casuarina, who also picked up a win in a 1-0 triumph over University Azzurri on Friday night.
The Mindil Aces recorded their second win of the season in a solid 4-2 win over the Darwin Hearts on Saturday afternoon.
Port Darwin had the bye.
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