ISSL 2017: Girl's Football

​By: P. Chapchap

At this year's ISSL Tournament, eight teams from all over Brazil and Paraguay, including PASB from Bahia, PASPOA from Porto Alegre, EABH from Belo Horizonte and the British School from Rio de Janeiro, came together to compete in both male and female basketball and football. These eight schools spent four days playing against each other and representing their mascots with pride and courage. However only four winners, one from each category, would be taking home the first place trophy. Who could it be? Let's take a look at the score boards, shall we?
 
Day 1, Thursday 28/09
The girls football team played against Nations early in the morning, but it took taking a goal to wake up and GET OUR HEADS IN THE GAME! Estela W. scored our first goal and got us right back on track and although we did not finish that game victorious, we played well as a team and managed to tie the game 1-1.
In the afternoon, we played against the PASB Panthers. We struggled to maintain a strong defense, allowing the opponent team to strengthen up and score a goal ten minutes into the game. But we didn’t let this affect our game. We held our heads high and fought fiercely, and this payed off. Estela W. scored a goal and, once again, we finished the game with a draw.  
 
 
Day 2, Friday 29/09
The girls were up early, and ready for another day of hard work. They play at 11.45am against PASPOA and it was a struggle because of the midday sun. PASPOA managed to control the ball and scored a goal in the first half. Was it tense? Yes. Was it warm? DEFINITELY. Well, if the Huskies managed to overcome the heat, so could the mighty LIONS! We quickly regained control of the ball and managed to stop them from getting any closer to our goal. Before the end of the first half, Estela W. swiftly stole the ball, and successfully scored a goal, tying the score board 1x1. Unfortunately, the Huskies scored another goal, and the final score was 2x1 at the end of the second half.

​Day 3, Saturday 30/09
Were we still going? Yeah, we were! You know why? Cause we're the MIGHTY LIONS! And we're FIGHTERS! After two days, three games and no wins, it's came time for us to show our claws! We started our game against the Trinity Lions, and everything seemed calm for the entire first half of game. Suddenly, the St Paul's girls came together as a team and managed to score the one and only goal for the entire game! Despite being our only goal, it was enough to bring us victory and meant that we would be fighting for 5th place on Sunday.

​Day 4, Sunday 1/10
It was finally the LAST DAY! The girls were prepared to face the Huskies again, but this time they were not playing to lose. The first half was intense: PASPOA scored a goal but about five minutes later, Estela W. cut the Huskies celebration short with a beautiful goal into the right corner. The opponent then managed to score another goal and were in the lead. However, that didn't last long. Alexia J. scored a fantastic shot into PASPOA's goal bringing us back to a tie. By the end of the game, we were still tied and went into a penalty shootout. Three players were selected from each team, and every kick was amazing! Only one girl from the Huskies' team scored a goal, leaving us with a 3x1 victory! Fifth place was ours and we fully deserved it.