Summer soccer Christmas fun

iProtech Security capped off an excellent day with a convincing 5-0 victory in the final over OTC Blues, to take out the Ōtorohanga Summer Soccer Christmas Tournament Championship title for 2023.

iProtech went through the day conceding a solitary goal in their semi-final clash, after going through pool stage with three wins and conceding no goals along the way.

Their semi-final match was their toughest match all day when they took on King Country Auto Glass.

With scores tied at one all going into the last couple of minutes of the semi-final, a penalty shootout looked on the cards, however, Jack Connor scored an excellent goal to send them through to the final where they were far too good for the Blues.

The OTC Blues, however, can be congratulated on making the final, which not too many people would have predicted at the start of the day.

The Blues went through first in Pool D, with two outright wins and a win and a loss in penalty shootouts, after draws with Main Road Kings and Sniper Refinish.

Their semi-final with TV Connect saw arguably the upset of the tournament, when they scored a 1-0 victory over last year’s Christmas Tournament Champions.

After a game which saw some controversy, striker Fraser Eddowes scored the solitary goal of the match on a counterattack.

The Blues then defended their lives for the 1-0 victory to head into the championship final.

Earlier, TV Connect had dominated their pool with four outright victories in Pool C, while King Country Auto Glass had dominated their pool, winning three straight games in Pool A.

In the plate round, King Country Kitchens defeated King Country Electrical in the final, 1-0.

This capped off an excellent day for both teams, with King Country Electrical upsetting Maunga Lions in their semi-final with a win by penalty shootout, while King Country Kitchens went through with a hard-fought semi-final victory over Bula Boys.

PFC United were winners of the bowl, defeating Advantage Tyres 4-0 in the final.

Earlier in the day, PFC United finished third in the Pool of Death, Pool C, and then defeated Main Road Kings in the semi-final.

Advantage Tyres finished third in their pool and gained entry to the bowl final with a 1-0 semi-final victory over Kiwitown Electrical.

Thursday night Summer Soccer action returns to the Ōtorohanga Domain on January 18.

iProtech Security will be looking to add to their silverware.

They lead the competition alongside TV Connect, while PFC United and Maunga Lions follow closely to make up the top four.

King Country Auto Glass, King Country Kitchens, King Country Electrical and OTC Blues remain in positions 5th to 8th and will be looking to hold those positions leading into the quarter finals and finals in February and March.