Christmas Cup a flicking success

On Thursday night, 13 December, the Johannesburg TFC (AKA 'The Eagles') hosted the year end Christmas Cup at Randburg FC.

A very good field of twelve participants, including 5 members from Pretoria Flickers, flicked off in an extremely festive and competitive tournament. Once again enjoyment and friendship proved to be the cornerstone of a successful evening which served up top quality table football and more importantly, big smiles and inter club comeraderie.

The evening started with the presentation of the SA Club Champs Trophy (Glass Eagle) by Clifford Graaff (Chairman of the Eagles) to Gary Downs and the victorious Pretoria Flickers Club for their fine victory in the recent SA Champs Club Competition. A special bouquet was given to Nita, Clifford's better half for all her work in preparing meals and snacks during the year for the Eagles' club evenings. True to nature, Nita served a delicious dinner that was greatly appreciated by all!
Santa Claus also dropped off small gifts for all the players and spectators to set the tone for the upcoming festive season.

The top two ranked players in their respective groups easily qualified for the quarter finals along with Imtiaz, who was in great form to claim third spot in a very competitive group. Conway Julie along with Eagles duo of Johan and Chris completed qualification into the last eight.

A special mention must be made to Alyssa Green, who was the only female competitor and acquitted herself admirably against the boys. The quarters were unfortunately a bridge to far for Imtiaz, Conway, Chris and Johan as they succumbed to their higher ranked players. The semi finals produced a family affair between Julian and his recently matriculated son, Jayden. This was a war of attrition between the Vans and was only settled by way of a penalty shoot-out. Jayden showed sublime goalkeeping skills in defeating his father by 3 goals to 1. The other semi saw Clifford defeat Gary in tight game where the former used his chances to clinch the final berth.

The final showcased the top two ranked players in the tournament and Jayden burst out the blocks by exerting immense pressure on Clifford for the first few minutes. The remainder of the game was very tactical and once again proved Jayden's goalkeeping acumen by brilliantly saving from Clifford to force a final penalty shootout. The resultant shootout was a marathon affair and Jayden proved unlucky to lose by 8 goals to 7 after sudden death. Once again VAR was used by two different positioned cameras (cellphones) for one of Clifford's shots which was initially ruled as saved only to be overturned by the VAR operators. It must be said that some of Jayden's goals were top quality strikes, unfortunately Jayden's last shot was somewhat soft in allowing Clifford to capture the Christmas Cup of 2018.

A special thanks to all the Eagle players for attending AND a very special thanks to the Pretoria Flickers on travelling over 130 kms from our capital city and Kempton Park (Gary) to insure a top quality tournament.

The Eagles would like to wish everyone a very blessed Christmas and a prosperous New Year filled with Subbuteo action.