KIA Champ into the Arena 2018 tournament tops the scoreboard once again
KIA Motors South Africa’s 2018 KIA Champ into the Arena 5-a-side amateur soccer tournament reached its conclusion this past weekend, with the top eight teams from three regional tournaments competing for the ultimate glory of representing South Africa in the World Finals of the KIA Champ into the Arena tournament during this year’s FIFA World Cup in Russia.
The tournament saw a total of 160 teams put through their paces through the regional rounds hosted in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban during March and April 2018. During the finals this past Saturday, 21 April 2018, all eyes were however on the top 8 teams.
After three round robin games of 10 minutes one way, followed by an action-packed quarter finals playoff, the atmosphere at the Discovery Soccer Park located in George Lea Park, Sandton, notably intensified as the top four teams prepared for the semi-finals. In this round, Durban-based Chiltern Park FC lost 3-5 to Cape Town’s Untouchables FC, while the Johannesburg-based Royal Lakes beat La Masia 6-4. The final commenced as the sun set at 18:00, the teams giving their all to conquer two halves of 15 minutes for ultimate glory. In the end, it was Royal Lakes who beat Untouchables FC 4-3 and carrying off the trophy and title of 2018 KIA Champ into the Arena Champions.
“We are delighted to see the conclusion of another fantastic campaign: a closely contested and competitive national tournament with great skills on offer and plenty of smiles all-round. The South African teams have reached the finals in the past three years: hopefully this year the guys can bring it home,” says David Sieff, Marketing Director, KIA Motors South Africa. “I’d like to wish Royal Lakes the best of luck as they enjoy this opportunity to compete on the international stage.”
