MIXED FORTUNES FOR LA ROJA IN MOROCCO
Team Spain ladies made the relatively short trip to Casablanca last Friday to take part in a small 4 nation tournament involving some of the strongest teams in world walking football.
This was a repeat of the event that marked the launch of Team Spain Ladies only just over a year ago but now attending with an additional team in the +50 age group. Indeed the numbers have swelled significantly since 2024 when 8 pioneers made the trip to Marrakesh. This time round the numbers totalled 17 across the +40 & +50 categories. Players assembled from predominantly the Costa Del Sol but also Sevilla & Tenerife.
A baptism of fire awaited some players making their debuts as both teams were drawn to play England in the opening matches.
Team Spain +50 were up first but after an encouraging start fell behind to a fine strike by Englands number 9. Further goals were conceded after sloppy passes were intercepted and punished ruthlessly by England before Team Spain recovered some composure and started to play some controlled football and create some chances of their own. Two further goals were shared between the sides to give a final scoreline of England 4 – Team Spain 1.
A determined Team Spain +50 regrouped and set about their second match of the day with good focus and shape against the hosts and quickly dominated proceedings without scoring . A fine partnership was developing between Tracey King & Patricia Sosa who were leading the Moroccan defenders a merry dance and creating chances . Finally the deadlock was broken and then the team began to play with confidence adding a further two goals without reply to record Team Spains biggest victory since its inception.
Morocco 0-3 Team Spain.
Buoyed by a great result the previous day Team Spain +50 were in a confident mood prior to the last fixture of the weekend Vs an experienced Wales team.
Team Spain knew that a win or a draw would secure second place behind all conquering England .
The match was a very competitive affair with few chances being created by either side as the battle for the ball was being fiercely fought over in an intriguing midfield battle between the Wales skipper on one side and Team Spains Shiela Bella Clifford on the other. Neither player would concede any ground to the other and so it was symbolic of the match that it ended in a draw after Patricia Sosa had found the bottom corner with a magnificent turn and finish only for Wales to restore parity with a fine goal of their own.
Team Spain 1 – 1 Wales
Final Tables
England 9Pts
Team Spain 4Pts
Morocco 3Pts
Wales 1Pt
Team Spain Ladies took to the field knowing that the opposition could beat many national +60s Men’s teams on their day . This was the task facing La Roja and it was a daunting one.
The quality of passing, movement and angles of attack that England generate is very impressive and quite frankly was too much for a Team Spain side short on experience and without some key players. The task was not helped by a bad looking knee injury to Chiqua who only lasted a minute before hobbling off the pitch which ended her tournament involvement and now requires an MRI scan to determine the damage caused.
Chances were created and taken by a ruthless England side who bagged a number of goals without reply. It was a steep learning curve for Team Spain and the second fixture would be no less difficult an assignment against a very strong Moroccan side.
Morocco are due to play in this years FIWFA World Nations Cup in October. In previous years however , funding and visas have prevented the nation from attending international tournaments. This is a great shame, especially in regards to this super talented and strong shooting Moroccan +40 team who are the only side around who can match their England counterparts.
A frying pan/fire scenario welcomed Team Spain in this second fixture and unfortunately the outcome was a similar story with the host nation proving too strong once again.
A third and final fixture against Wales who had beaten Team Spain convincingly in last years tournament encounter awaited La Roja who despite two heavy defeats were unruffled and determined to put on a performance. To their credit they did just that and scored directly from kick off with a remarkable strike from Amanda from FC Las Chafiras. Unfortunately Wales restored parity and went ahead before half time but this time Team Spain didn’t crumble and showed appetite for a fight which they took though to the end of the game to restore some pride and confidence in what was a difficult weekend for them.
Credit must go to the team for their determination and showing great resilience in the final fixture and individually for improving game by game. We have six months to improve and recruit in key positions and to welcome back those unavailable for this trip.
Many thanks to Mustapha, Hamid and all the delegates at the Moroccan Walking Football Federation for a tremendous experience on and off the pitch.
Thanks also for the teams at Benalmadena Ladies, Competa Chicas, Torrox Walking Football, FC Las Chafiras & Iberas Sevilla for supplying the players.
