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.

http://www.eurohockey.org/ehf/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3649%3Aportugal-indoor-finals-2013&catid=292%3Atop-stories&Itemid=456&utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=twitterfeed

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.

In the National Indoor Finals this afternoon, the Ladies got off to a good start,  beating Lousada 2-1 in their first game. They opened the scoring after 4 minutes and increased their lead mid-way into the second half. In a tight game, they had to keep their concentration and, although their opponents pulled back a goal 2 minutes from time, the Casuals had no problems holding out until the final hooter.

Their second match against last year’s champions Belenenses was a more open and pacy game, and full of twists and turns. A first strike by Belenenses in the 2nd minute did not upset the Casuals’ confidence,and a few minutes later they were level. A further goal from Belenenses was again cancelled out by an equaliser and the first half ended 2-2, with the Casuals unlucky to twice hit the woodwork. After several amazing saves by both keepers and a stop on the line by a Belenenses defender at a penalty corner, the Casuals finally took the the lead from a very intelligent break with less than 10 minutes left. When the same defender caught the ball as it was headed for the roof of the net, it looked like the ensuing penalty could close out the game: but the Casuals’ misfortune continued when the flick hit the post for the third time in the game. With the midfield tiring towards the end of a very physical game, Belenenses were able to apply pressure to find the equaliser with just 2 minutes left. The Casuals have made an excellent start to these Finals and, with 2 more matches on Sunday (at 9.30 and 14.10), anything is still possible.