Down and out with only five minutes remaining, most junior teams would think the game is over.
But not the Kirrawee Kangaroos.
Kirrawee’s under-18As team defeated Winston Hills 2-1 to win the State Cup final earlier this month, coming from a goal down to win in extra-time.
The State Cup, held at the Valentine Sports Park, is an annual Football NSW knockout tournament, with more than 500 teams ranging from under-12s to over-35s competing to reach the final.
The Kangaroos trailed 1-0 before finding an equaliser, then going on to score a winner in the second period of extra-time.
Kirrawee coach Darryl Sharp was proud of his team’s resilience in their pursuit of a comeback.
The Kangaroos were one of six Sutherland Shire Football Association teams to compete at the State Cup finals, showing the strength of the Shire’s football talents.
The Menai Hawks under-21s were the first team to win three consecutive state titles, lifting the Robertson Cup for the third year in a row after demolishing Mount Pritchard 6-1.
“To win three State Cups has never been done before so I am so proud of the boys,” Hawks coach John Diaz said.
“We were ruthless and that is the way I like to play and watch football. It helps that I have had them since under-14s but it was good to watch.”
St George club Connells Point Rovers fell to Castle Hill United in the under-13s decider.
Connells Point got revenge in the under-14s final, edging out Sutherland Shire club St Patricks 3-2.
It was double despair for Lilli Pilli who fell 1-0 to Macarthur Association club the Camden Tigers in the under-15s final before losing 3-1 to Canterbury side Earlwood Wanderers in the under-17s final.
Eastern Suburbs club Glebe lifted the Bill Cullinan Cup, downing Northbridge FC 2-1 in the all-age men’s final. Albion Park won the all-age women’s final.
