The Veterans travelled north this weekend to play the Oporto Club in their two annual cup games. In yesterday’s Dawson Cup men’s match, Casuals opened the scoring early on. Despite keeping up the pressure and being awarded a series of penalty corners, outstanding saves from the Oporto keeper and a shot off the post kept the visitors’ lead to 1-0. It seemed that Oporto’s dogged defense would pay off, when they equalised from a counter attack late in the game. But the Casuals still had time to make it 2-1 from another penalty corner.

Today’s Mixed match for the Seadon Cup was a more even encounter. A good strike from an early penalty corner was to prove Casuals’ only goal: with both sides finding it difficult to create scoring chances, it was Oporto who found an equaliser 2 minutes from the end. But the 1-1 draw left both trophies in the Casuals’ hands. It is worth mentioning the fine hospitality Oporto provided on the Saturday evening, and the excellent spirit in which both games were played.

The Casuals played two games against the strong German Ladies team ‘An der Alster’. In Thursday’s game, the Men were simply too strong, running out 8-0 winners. But in yesterday’s game, the U-18s had to work hard after going a goal down early on. In a very even match, both sides put their opponents’ defence under prolonged pressure, but it was the Casuals who made the most of their chances, winning the game 3-2.

Today the Men travelled to Porto for their league fixture against Viso. Casuals more than matched their opponents in the first half and were unlucky to go a goal down before the break, when the ball clearly seemed to have touched the striker’s foot. But for some of the U18 players this was their 3rd game in a row, and in the second half Viso took advantage of a couple of midfield turnovers to go 3-0 up. Casuals scored near the end of the game, but still went down 1-3.

At the Veterans Tournament this afternoon, the Casuals lost both their matches 2-5 against Belenenses and 0-1 against Futebol Benfica.

The U18s travelled north for two league matches this weekend. In yesterday’s game against CAMIR, they took control quickly and, after opening the scoring with a cracking backhand drive from just inside the circle, they were 4 goals up in the first 10 minutes.  It was then only a question of how wide the winning margin would be, and they won the game 10-1.

After an overnight stay near Porto they arrived at Viso, only to find that they were awarded a walk-over, as their opponents could not field a full side. They lent Viso 3 players for a practice game, which Casuals also won 3-2.

This weekend the Lisbon Casuals U12 and U14 mixed teams and the U16 girls’ team played a total of 10 games at the Nationwide EN.NA Indoor Tournament at Casa Pia. With so many games, it is hard to give an idea of the roller coaster of emotions, but the final placings do not reflect the great effort the kids made and the palpable improvement in their game as the weekend went on.

After a big win against Carris and a rather bigger loss than the half-time score of 2-3 would suggest against Lousada on Day 1, the U12s were unlucky in their first game today: they lead CAMIR 3-2 in the 20^th minute with the captain making it a hat-trick from a flick over the goalie’s head, only to lose 3-4. In the fourth  and most exciting game, the kids got a hard fought 1-1 draw against eventual 2^nd placed Futebol Benfica, but their failure to convert a couple of short corners and a penalty flick meant the difference between 4^th and 2^nd  place.

U12

After two heavy defeats on the Saturday, the U-14 girl dominated team showed great character to come back strongly on the second day: they took 3^rd place from CAMIR in a thrilling 4-2 finish, with 3 of the goals coming from the girls.

U14

The U-16 Girls won both their games against Futebol Benfica in great style, and it is a shame their category was not considered worthy of a National title.

U16

The results and final places can be found on the FPH website: http://www.fphoquei.pt/index.php/competicoes/hoquei-campo/2988-calendario-enna

In their first league match after the indoor break, the Men lost 1-7 to Carris today. With several senior players missing, this young team still put together bursts of good hockey, but they were caught out in defence too often.

Ladies win the National Indoor Title

In their third match of the Indoor Finals this morning against Sport Club, the Ladies opened the scoring early on with a great goal from a narrow angle. Although a defensive slip allowed Sport to equalise after 15 minutes, Casuals re-established their lead a minute later. Their goalkeeper capped a brilliant performance with a spectacular save 4 minutes into the second half, and this was soon followed by a 3^rd goal from a flick into the roof of the net. Sport again reduced to 3-2, but Casuals nailed a 4-2 win with the conversion of a penalty stroke.

When Belenenses allowed a 5-3 lead against Sport Club to slip to a 5-5 draw, Casuals knew that a win against CAMIR in their last game would give them the title. However this knowledge seemed to inhibit their play: CAMIR scored first after only 2 minutes, and Casuals equalised shortly after from a well-worked open play goal, but the rest of the half was fairly edgy and closed with the scores still level at 1-1. At the start of the second half the Ladies looked in a different mindset, and they took the lead after 4 minutes from a penalty corner. Another penalty corner increased their lead to 3-1 and they slotted a fourth just inside the post to give them a 4-1 win and the title of Champions.

After coming close several times in recent years, this National Indoor title is just reward for the hard work and persistence of the squad and their coach. At the prize-giving ceremony, they were also awarded the prizes of “Player of the Tournament” – Ugné Chmeliauskaité, and “Best Goalkeeper” – Andreia Rebelo.