Courtesy: Manly Daily


Breakers' six to play world's best in Brazil

9 Nov 10

by Andrew Prentice

SIX girls from the Northern Beaches Breakers are bracing themselves for a trip they will never forget, following their selection in Australia’s under-17 squad for a futsal invitational tournament in Brazil this month.

Ariella Cabezas, Bella Walker, Beth Sweeny, Ellen Wheatley, Nicola Drakopoulos and Sarah Roger were all picked following trials in April and admitted it has been an agonising wait.

“When we found out we had made the final squad, November couldn’t come quick enough,” Nicola, the team goalkeeper said.

“To have so many of us together makes it even more special. Everyone knows how passionate they are in Brazil about soccer, to be going there to take on the world’s best is unreal.”

Utility player Beth Sweeny doesn’t believe the group will be overwhelmed abroad.

“Most of us have been together for a long time, playing either futsal or with Manly United,” Beth said.

“Our combinations are good, we know each other’s game inside out.

“We have nothing to lose, combined we make up half the (Australian) squad.”

The achievement comes off the back of the Breakers finally landing major honours at the recent state futsal championships at Windsor.

“That was amazing, it is something we had wanted to do for a long time,” Beth said.

“All the girls played with injuries, it was very gutsy.”

The journey to the decider was far from one way traffic for the open’s squad.

After seeing off tournament favourites Sydney City 4-3 in their quarter-final, the girls overcame the Western Raiders 6-3 in their semi following extra time.

It pitted them in the final against Quake, with the Breakers beating the girls from Macarthur 3-2, triggering wild celebrations on the sideline.


Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com