They battled sub-zero temperatures, icy winds and teams from around the world, but everything came down to the wire as teams staked their claim for Kanga Cup honours.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
More than 300 hopeful teams marched down John Dunmore Lang Place at the opening ceremony, but just 56 clubs across 28 divisions battled for the prestigious title on Friday.
Over 200 referees and volunteers helped ensure the tournament ran as smoothly as possible. Capital Football boss Phil Brown attributed their contribution to this year's success.
"It was a big tournament with a lot of work to deliver," Brown said.
"Lots of great volunteers helped set it up. We've also been relatively lucky with the weather. It's been cold but it hasn't been wet which is great for football."
Brown spent the tournament visiting the grounds across the city, he said everyone is excited to return for a bigger and better Kanga Cup next year.
"They're all looking forward to coming back," Brown said.
"They all want to have some more fun and see if they can make it through to the finals or defend the championship they've just won.
"We'll work towards bringing in some more international and interstate teams to make sure it stays the prestigious competition that it is."
One interstate team fighting for a title was South Melbourne in the under-14 girls.
The Victorian club cruised through the week without conceding a goal. But their campaign nearly came to crushing end when Lindfield Carpenters scored in the second half of their grand final.
But Anna Liacopoulos stepped up and equalised the score with a great strike following a corner. Moments later she was brought down in the box and awarded a penalty.
The South Melburnian was stressed and full of nerves as she lined up the shot but it didn't show. She calmly sent the ball flying into the top corner to hand her team the win and Kanga Cup title.
Coach Mark Knauer had every confidence in his side to overcome the setback and win the tournament.
"We just changed the structure a little bit and they were able to deliver," Knauer said.
"They're well drilled, the girls have worked very hard and they're very determined to win.
"We came here to win. We try and play a high tempo possession game, sometimes it pays off and today it did."
