They’ve done it! The Caulfield United Cobras women’s team has made it to the Women’s Premier League (WPL), just three years after the team’s inception.
It’s the first time a team – let alone a Greek team – has progressed consecutively to make it to the top tier of the state, and the girls couldn’t be prouder.
They secured their spot on Sunday after they drew 1-1 with third placed Melbourne University. It was an ugly match, coach Yanni Galanis says, but the girls kept their cool.
“It was manic there for a while,” he tells Neos Kosmos.
“They came out and they had to win, and in the second half they were playing with three or four girls up front.
“It was really competitive, from a coaching point of view it was actually really challenging.” It was a do-or-die match for their opponents, a loss would have meant they couldn’t secure their place in the WPL.
One game remains for the Cobras, and despite the qualification to the WPL, there’s a big reason to play. If they lose this match, they will fall to second on the ladder and lose their championships.
It’ll be a heartbreaking loss for Galanis, who has seen his team dominate the top of the table all season.
“I think we’ll all be disappointed if we don’t get the win and finish on top,” he says.
They take on Preston Lions on Sunday, who are second last on the ladder.
President George Karagounis isn’t getting to ahead of himself, but says he is looking to make some room in one particular spot at the club.
“We’re looking forward to filling the trophy cabinet up,” he says to Neos Kosmos with a laugh.
Away from the championship, Mr Karagounis has to consider how he will be getting the home ground up to scratch for the upcoming WPL.
He is facing an uphill battle with local councils and funding to get the girls there.
“The facilities are definitely something we need to look at,” he says.
“Council is very hard, Bayside Council and Glen Eira council are the two most difficult councils to deal with. They’re not very pro-football,” he admits.
He hopes to get some government support, especially with the state election coming up.
For now at least, the team will get his undivided attention.