| For the Indonesian Under
11 Boys soccer team, PORGAKI, it had been an amazing
eight days. After a long and exhausting journey
from their homeland to Australia, they found themselves
in Canberra, the nation's capital, for the largest
and most prestigious international youth soccer
tournament in the southern hemisphere.
Kanga Cup 2004's philosophy of
'Uniting the Youth of the World through Football'
seemed appropriate as there were teams participating
from all over Australia as well as overseas, and
after a memorable opening ceremony at the Parliamentary
Triangle on Sunday 4 July, the tournament was
ready to begin.
PORGAKI was placed in Pool D
with five local and interstate clubs, and with
only the top team from each pool qualifying for
the finals stage, competition was fierce.
The Indonesian boys' tournament
kicked off with a match against the Monaro Panthers.
After a hard-fought game which saw both teams
give it their all, PORGAKI was eventually defeated
two goals to four. Looking to turn around their
fortunes, they then traveled to Hawker to take
on the Tuggeranong Arrows. In a stunning display
of soccer, the visitors racked up eight goals
to nil and continued their winning ways with a
five-nil victory over Griffith and a thrilling
two goals to one victory over Albion Park.
In their final match of the tournament,
PORGAKI looked to go out with a bang against the
Majura Blue Devils. In what was a simply breathtaking
performance, they booted in ten goals while ensuring
their own goal line remained unbreached.
It was then off to Sydney for
an international friendly against the Under 11
champions of Kanga Cup XIV, Sydney United Juniors.
PORGAKI proved their class and even looked like
winning the game before going down four goals
to three in a real nail-biter.
Although it was the end of the
tour for the courageous Indonesian juniors, they
had made new friends, gained new fans, and had
plenty of fond memories of Australia to take home
with them.
It was quite a journey.
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