Given the nature of the Nike F.C. Cup there are always upsets and dramatic finishes, however this year there was another record broken.
At only 13 years of age, Gia Kapsimallis scored a hat trick in Manningham United Blues F.C’s 9-0 victory over Yarraville FC making her the youngest recorded player to score a hat trick in Victoria’s State Knockout Competition.
Manningham was successful in applying for a dispensation to allow Gia to play in the Cup, with the minimum age being 14 to participate in the competition.
Gia said she was “really excited and happy” she was allowed to play despite her age.
“I was really grateful for the Club’s efforts to push so I could find out before that first game so I could play,” she explained.
“That was my first proper game in the seniors, it has been really fun so far.”
For Gia’s first goal of the match, she managed to break away from her defender and take a touch and chip the ball over the keeper's head.
The Senior Women’s Head Coach Paul McCarthy proclaimed her second goal from a free kick was “world-class”.
“She was positioned just on the edge of the penalty box and managed to sneak it into the top corner, not many female goalkeepers would have kept it out,” he said.
Although she trusted in her technique, even Gia was shocked when the ball hit the back of the net.
“I was truly shocked when it went in,” she said.
“I have been working on my free kicks a lot in the preseason and over the past year, I have got a technique where I take four steps back and then one step to the left.
“After I went through my routine, everything felt like it went in slow-motion, I just watched it go and I thought it was going to miss and then it fell back down again.
“I was so amazed and happy with myself, all the girls were shocked, I am proud of myself for the goal.”
The youngster finished off her day with a dribbling effort inside the box, getting around two opponents before sending a powerful strike into the bottom corner.
Since Gia first started playing football at age eight, she has followed in her idol Sam Kerr’s footsteps; playing as a striker, however, she can also play as an attacking midfielder.
“She (Sam Kerr) has always been my hero, I guess that’s like most girls,” she said.
“Being one of the best in the world and playing for Australia as a striker is why I wanted to be a striker. as I have been a striker.”
Despite not being able to get tickets to watch the Commbank Matildas at the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023TM, she can’t wait for the tournament to start.
“I can’t wait for the World Cup to start, even though I will be watching from home,” she explained.
“The last female world cup we went to France and watched the Matildas' game against Jamaica and it was a 4-0 win, it was fantastic it was an amazing experience.
“It’s so amazing it is nearly here, having all the best players in the world here and getting the chance to see them play can only improve me as a footballer.
“I am hopeful I will be in that position one day, I want to play overseas and for Australia, that’s one of the things I strive for the most.”
McCarthy said he wasn’t surprised by Gia’s accomplishments as she is no stranger to playing against older opponents.
“When I came back to the Club and started coaching, she was 11 playing with the Under-12 boys,” he said.
“She would pull double duty last season; she would play with the Under-13 Boys and then play with the Under 16 Girls team – who won the Championship. She played 40-odd games throughout the season and in the side's two finals she scored a hat trick and a brace.
“She is used to competing against bigger faster stronger bodies, she has always played against the boys, and I think that has always helped her.”
McCarthy said Gia will be a key pillar of his team this season and expects big things from her in the future.
“She is our starting striker and a proven goal scorer, I have no doubt she would be good enough to be effective in the State League 3 competition,” he said.
“I would probably expect her to end up being one of the top goal scorers in the league, she just knows how to find the goals.
“At this stage, she does have the potential to make it as a professional footballer and she is definitely showing enough early signs that it is a realistic possibility for her.
“She is on the right track at the minute, as long as she continues to work at her craft she has a good chance to make it.”