Youth
Panders: champs of Unity Soccer
There was a competitive air at the Jewish Unity Soccer event at Gemmel Park in Linksfield, Johannesburg, last Sunday. More than 80 players from Johannesburg and Pretoria took to the field on a sweltering hot day, the fourth annual event of its kind, sponsored by Blue Label Telecoms and Soul Workout. The action was enjoyable and fierce.
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Following the early round robin matches, four teams emerged into the semi-finals: Vichai (Pretoria), Maccabi, Panders, and Chabad FC.
Panders, who were last year’s champions, and Maccabi emerged winners, and everything was set for the big final.
At full time, the two teams were locked one-all. In extra time, however, the Panders score once and then, with Maccabi pressing for the equaliser, Panders struck and scored again. Their counter attack gave them a well-deserved 3-1 victory.
Panders collected their gold medals, and the R3 000 prize money.
Said organiser Ilan Herrmann from Soul Workout, “The soccer is very competitive, but is played in good spirits. There is something special about getting everyone together around a sports event. Next year, we would like to branch into girls’ soccer as well.”