THE week-long action at Inverell’s Mini World Cup ended on Friday afternoon with over 40 teams pulling up stakes after a competitive week.
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Cup toppers were New Zealand in the Open Women’s, Toowoomba/Uruguay in the under 17, Frankfurt/Germany in the under 15’s, Toowoomba/Holland in the under 13’s and Toowoomba/ Germany for the under 12’s.
The under 9’s did not keep a ladder and played for the sheer enjoyment of the game.
Tenterfield players joined in the cup action with four Tenterfield girls representing team ‘Australia’.
The girls mixed with Stanthorpe, Warwick and Inverell based players to make up the team that was coached by Tenterfield’s Stan Hickey.
A handful of under 18’s players from Tenterfield’s senior colts side also featured, making up the numbers in a number of other teams.
The Tenterfield Star spoke with Mr Hickey earlier in the week as he sat pitch side watching two Tenterfield players link up with a side from Muswellbrook.
“We have four games today (Monday, September 28), three on Tuesday, rest Wednesday, three on Thursday and three on Friday” he said.
“It was just a great tournament,” Hickey said after returning home.
“We play all the other teams twice – it’s flat out.”
Amy and Alana Condrick were both presented with $1200 vouchers to use for a potential soccer development trip to Germany next year should they wish to go.
Cup founder Heinrich Haussler watched on with delight as his brainchild continues to grow in stature each year.
“I think this is the best Mini World Cup we ever had,” he said.
“The quality of football is great and it is very, very even in most grades.”
Australian soccer legend Rale Rasic was present at the Joeys Mini World Cup for another year.
Rasic said it was amazing how the cup had grown.
“To have 40-plus teams, a great presence of ladies, a New Zealand team, a German team, then four players get selected for a trip to Germany. There is no tournament in Australia that gives you that opportunity,” Rasic said.