KLOOF HIGH SCHOOL SOCCER TOURNAMENT
Game 1 vs Haythorne (PMB)
Won 3-0 (Minenhle Cebekhulu,Thami Nombika Siya Mfusi)
A very strong performance was required in the opening game vs Haythorne. The Glenwood boys duly obliged, with a very confident display. They defended very well and only conceded one chance to the opposition.
Game 2 vs Prestige Academy (Gauteng)
Won 3-0 (Charl Reid x2, Siya Mfusi)
The 2nd game of the day for Glenwood needed an improved performance against better opposition. The Glenwood boys set out from the get go to play the game at the highest tempo possible as Prestige had already played a tough game earlier in the day and would most likely not be conditioned enough to play two tough games in one day. Another strategy that Glenwood employed was too adjust their set pieces to be more direct on a smaller field and against a weaker keeper which worked very well for them, creating 2 goals. Two strong performances from Glenwood ensured passage through to the next round of the Kloof tournament.
Game 3 vs Marianridge St Francis (Marianhill)
Draw 2-2 (Tirone Sewnarain, Sphephelo Gwala)
Having already qualified for the next round, Glenwood rested players but most importantly gave opportunity to players who had been starting off the bench to play and show if there was anything extra that they could offer. The players responded well and put in a good performance securing a draw against a good schools side that runs an elite soccer program. Glenwood finished the group stages undefeated and in 1st position.
4 (last 16) vs Kingsway (Amanzimtoti)
Won 2-0 (Thami Nombika x2)
The last 16 game against Kingsway, appeared to be a very frustrating one for Glenwood, as they dominated all aspects of the game but couldn’t convert it , into goals.Being the first game of the knockout stages , all that was required was a win and 2 late goals from Glenwood ensured this.
Game 5 (Quarter finals) vs Paul Roos Gymanasium (Cape Town)
Won 4-0 (Charl Reid, Tirone Sewnarain, Thami Nombika x2)
The best performance of the tournament from Glenwood came in the Qauterfinals. Glenwood appeared very well prepared as to understanding our opponent’s strengths, weaknesses, tendencies and key players. Paul Roos’s reliance on set pieces was nullified through man marking system that was deployed by Glenwood in defence. Glenwood’s goalkeeper only had to catch balls from their long throws and passes from his own players to start new attacks again. The impact off the bench from Sduduzo Nxumalo and Tirone Sewnarain was impressive to see, and helped Glenwood to get their 3rd and 4th goal respectively.
Game 6 ( Semi Finals) vs Westville Boys High School
Won 3-2 ( Thami Nombika x2 , Sandile Makhonza)
A very scrappy game, took place in the semi-final. The opposition would look to frustrate the Green machine by playing very physically and relying heavily on set pieces. Fortunately for Glenwood, Westville’s physical approach played into the hands of the Glenwood boys as they gave away 2 penalties in which we duly converted .The Glenwood Goalkeeper came under fire and struggled under the barrage of high balls from the physical side. This saw Westville claw a few goals back and set up an exciting finish to the semi-final clash but Glenwood hung on to 3-2 and booked themselves into the finals of the Kloof High School Tournament.
Game 7 (Final) vs Hilton College
Won 3-1 (Joash Pillay, Thami Nombika, Siya Mfusi)
Having rotated successfully, throughout the tournament and kept all of their players fresh and injury free, Glenwood were able to play their strongest 11 for the final . They played a 4-3-3 which is a slightly more attacking and aggressive formation as Hilton College would sit back and look to defend for as long as possible against Glenwood and Glenwood wanted to be attack minded and aggressive by taking the game to Hilton and instigating play. A very good Keeper and a sweeper from Hilton kept the Green machine from scoring more goals in the first half. However Glenwood, dominated territory which meant that Hilton would concede set pieces and Glenwood would create scoring opportunities’ through this. Joash Pillay opened the scoring from a headed corner after the Green machine had made the tactical change to play a 4-2-4 with Minanhle Cebkhulu being deployed as a striker to match up with Hilton’s sweeper. This led to plenty oppurtunites were Glenwood broke Hilton’s last line with more controlled low passes and dribbles and led to Glenwood scoring getting a 2nd and 3rd. There was a really poor mistake from Glenwood deep in the 2nd half and they were duly punished by Hilton and conceded but the game was long gone as Hilton did not have the quality or the physical freshness to pose a threat.
Glenwood High School finished the 2017 Kloof High School tournament as champions, having scored 20 goals and conceded only 5. Thami Nombika finished as the leading goal scorer with 8 goals. Minenhle Cebekhulu was awarded the player of the tournament. Minenhle Cebekhulu, Joash Pillay, Sandile Makhonza and Glenwood Captain, Charl Reid were all named in the team of the tournament.
Report and photos by Mr S Bezuidenhout