Hefty defeats and close encounters galore in matchday five of the 2022 U-NITE Cup
The U-NITE Cup has been an annual tournament since 2014 and is a celebration of cultural diversity, bringing together teams representing nations from across the globe.
There are 24 Men’s and 10 Women’s teams competing in this year’s event with the Grand Final set to be held on Sunday, January 15.
Group A (Men)
Afghan United remain undefeated and on top of their group with six wins and Iraq is second with five wins from seven matches. Congo is third with three wins, while Vietnam (two wins), Egypt (one win), and Liberian Panthers who are still searching for their first win are far off the pace.
Last Sunday, Iraq improved their goal difference with a 5-0 drubbing of Congo, Vietnam enjoyed a comfortable 0-3 victory over the Liberian Panthers and Afghan United continued their dream run with a 3-0 win over Egypt.
Group B (Men)
Somalia (four wins) sits a game clear of China and Australia B, while Malaysia, Syria Eagles, and Himalayan Tigers Nepal all have one win each.
Somalia continued their impressive form with a 2-0 victory over China and Syria Eagles turned heads with their 6-1 defeat of Malaysia, while Australia B just got over the line over Himalayan Tigers Nepal 2-1.
Group C (Men)
Turkey remains undefeated after five matches, with Brasil and Columbia on their tail with three wins each. TL Galaxy is in fourth place with two wins, Mauritius has one win so far and Timor Leste is yet to record a result.
In a top-of-the-table clash, Turkey managed to maintain their unbeaten record in a tense 1-2 victory over Brasil last weekend. Colombia defeated cellar-dwelling Timor Leste 4-2 and TL Galaxy got the better of Mauritius 5-3.
Group D (Men)
Sunshine South Sudan continues to reign supreme in their group, while Korea has also had a notable campaign so far, sitting only one point away from the top spot. Afghan Premiers are in third place with three wins, Zimbabwe is fourth with two wins and SE South Sudan (one win) and Fiji (winless) are yet to stamp their mark on the tournament.
Afghan Premiers smashed Zimbabwe 10-1 in the biggest victory of the weekend, Sunshine South Sudan defeated Korea 2-4 and SE South Sudan comfortably accounted for Fiji 3-0.
Group A (Women)
AUS United remains undefeated, one point ahead of Chile in second place. Melb United A is in third place with two wins, Mauritius is in fifth with one win and the Zebras remain winless.
Mauritius kicked off last weekend’s action with a three-goal victory over the Zebras, AUS United and Meb United A drew 2-2 and Chile had the bye.
Group B (Women)
UNITE is still on top of the group with Villarreal only one point behind in second place. Melb United B sits in the third spot with two wins and two losses, Turkiye girls round out the top four with one win to their name and Viva Italia is yet to register a victory.
Villarreal Melb edged Melb United B 1-2 in a close encounter, while UNITE overpowered Turkiye girls 0-3 and Viva Italia had the bye.
Week six of the U-NITE Cup group games will be played across three sports venues on Sunday, December 4.
Be sure to come along and support your team. Enjoy some classic community football with your family and friends.
The tournament winners will experience a unique Melbourne Victory matchday experience at the club’s January 26 doubleheader for the Club’s U-NITE match with Sydney FC.
The 2021 champions were Afghan United (Men) and Roxburgh Park United (Women).
Pictures: Passion Creations Photography