STUNNING GOAL ADDS LUSTRE TO FORCE’S FUTSAL CROWN
IT’S the magical play and goal that gifted Gold Coast Force women’s side a 4-0 lead and an unassailable belief it was heading for back-to-back Queensland Futsal Superliga titles against Bulimba.
Starting in the back half, the Coast side passed to its keeper who then pushed the ball up the wing. Every Force player on the court managed to touch the ball, right up until Lucy Rowell found the back of the net.
“It’s one of the best goals we’ve seen all season,” coach George Lethbridge said.
“I sent the video of it back to them after the game and said it shows how we’re at another level to the league.”
Force went on to claim a 7-0 victory in their Superliga decider and qualify for the futsal national championships in January.
Despite comprising elite outdoor players including a Brisbane Roar rising star and National Premier League players, not even captain and Force’s top goal scorer Jess Dillon thought her side was in for a romping win. “We thought it was going to be a close game so we were quite shocked for us to take the lead,” the 25-year-old said.
“We didn’t have any expectations leading into the first grand final but leading into the second, we were the team to beat and everyone wanted us to fail.”
Gold Coast was set to finish second overall in its league when the COVID-19 pandemic hit Australian shores and brought the competition to a standstill.
Players returned with only one regular-season game to play before heading to finals.
“It’s hard to motivate yourself sitting at home and doing nothing but I was also bored and managed to fit in some runs and our coach also organised some one-onone sessions with players,” Dillon said.
The Force will try to emulate their 2019 men’s team by winning a national titles in January.
“The goal is to make semifinals and get a few of our younger 14 and 15-year-old girls experience,” Dillon said.