Northern Trident Soccer team faces off against the Indian Navy
14 May 2009
The Northern Trident 2009 (NT09) Soccer team came together for their first match in Kochi, India. The 19 personnel from HMAS Sydney and HMAS Ballart, coached by Leading Seaman Physical Training Instructor (LSPTI), Mark Skates travelled to the nearby naval base to take on an Indian Southern Naval Command team in 34 degree heat and oppressive humidity.
“With no time for team training after ten days at sea, the match will be a real test for this new team but we’re looking forward to this; it’s a great opportunity to practice our skills against the Indian team” said LSPTI Skates before the game.
For the 40 minute match, the Northern Trident team was kitted out in a strip loaned to the team by the Navy Football Federation of Australia. This gesture ensured that the team made an appropriately impressive entrance into the stadium. Their entrance was greeted by loud cheers and applause from the Indian Naval personnel who had gathered for the match.
The overwhelming support continued into the match as the enthusiastic crowd encouraged the early kicks and tackles made by both teams. However much to the delight of the crowd, it did not take long for the Indian team to get down to business, with a number of threatening shots on goal, some of which cleared the bar by only centimetres.
“They were on the attack from the start and our back line was under constant pressure. The Indian team was turning the ball really well and it was hard to push forward and set ourselves up,” said Sydney’s LEUT Aaron Scott. Against the persistent attacks from the Indian team, the inexperienced team pulled together to support their keeper Sydney’s Petty Officer Marine Technician, Gary Molloy who was kept busy by the Indian attack. Despite his valiant efforts however, the Indians managed to record their first goal of the match before the half time whistle.
The second half was characterised by some wild shots on goal from the Indians and numerous offside calls from the umpire as the Indians looked to press home their advantage. The Northern Trident team, lead in attack by Leading Seaman Electronics Technician Blake Maloney and Leading Seaman Electronics Technician Hector Zuniga in attack, continually looked for opportunities to push into their forward half but their lack of match practice and the heat of the day left them unable to fully capitalise on the chances created.
Reflecting on the match, Ballarat’s Able Seaman Electronics Technician Taylor Banton said, “We may have finished up with a 3-0 score line but the match allowed us to get to know our Indian counterparts on a whole new level. For the team it focused us on the importance of working together as a team and we’ll come out stronger in our next match.”
With Operation Northern Trident scheduled to visit passionate soccer nations such as Spain where they will visit the port of Ferrol and the United Kingdom where they will visit Portsmouth and Plymouth, this will not be the last outing for the Northern Trident team in their pursuit of on field glory.
