Dragons get ready to celebrate their successes
Soccer
Ever since their humble beginnings when Douglas United Football Club started as the Mossman Soccer Club and played their matches at Mossman High School, they have always been a force to be reckoned with.
And on Friday night, there will be more celebrations at the Port Douglas Sports Complex when the second division winners will pick up their trophy following their 8.30pm clash against Stratford.
The Dragons’ 2nd team are sitting pretty on top of the table with 46 points after 17 matches. They have won 15, scored 101 goals and conceded 23. Marlin Coast is next best with 39 points.
As a curtain raiser to the late game, at 6.30pm the Dragons’ 3rd Division will have their final game to secure third spot and get into the finals. Mareeba Bulls top the table with 49 points followed by Leichhardt (40) and the Dragons (36).
The Dragons have a core of players from Port Douglas – Ben Syrrett, Gary Cunningham, Adam Howell, Chris Baker, Daniel Ferrero, Adriano Gualtieri – and the ‘new boys’, goalkeeper Yukito Machiya, strikers Ramiro Vilar, Jamie Gosling and defender Rodrigo Medina, who have contributed to the team’s success.
The 3rd division team has done well to secure third spot and this is even more impressive when you consider it has been over five years since there has been two teams.
This team comprises travellers with the addition of some local veterans like Neil Bourcombe and Gary Fitzgerald. They have not lost in 10 games.
In 2010, the Club won the minor premiership, the grand final and the Crad Evans trophy. In 2012, playing in the Premier League, Douglas United shocked everyone by claiming the title. In 2013 DUFC won the inaugural FNQ Cup competition, defeating Mareeba in the final. In 2015 the Dragons won the league, grand final and Crad Evans trophy treble. Further more, winning 1st Division in 2017 after an epic match, the final penalty being converted on the stroke of Mid-Night.
After what has been an ‘amazing’ season, coach Christian Snel is appealing to Port residents to support the Dragons on Friday night.
Thank you!
Newsport thanks its advertising partners for their support in the delivery of daily community news to the Douglas Shire. Public interest journalism is a fundamental part of every community.
Got a news tip? Let us know! Send your news tips or submit a letter to the editor here.
* Comments are the opinions of readers and do not represent the views of Newsport, its staff or affiliates. Reader comments on Newsport are moderated before publication to promote valuable, civil, and healthy community debate. Visit our comment guidelines if your comment has not been approved for publication.