After finishing third and only just missing out on progressing through to the final round, the Adelaide United Youth Team qualified for the the Consolation Cup where they’ve progressed into the semi-finals.
After finishing third and only just missing out on progressing through to the final round, the Adelaide United Youth Team qualified for the the Consolation Cup where they’ve progressed into the semi-finals.
With two games in six-hours, they had the opportunity to build on the experiences in their first three games of the MIC Tournament.
The Youth Team got off to a winning start, by winning the first game defeating FC Palafrugell 1-0. The lone goal was scored late in the game by Mitchell Walsh.
The second game, four-hours later, was against Unió Esportiva Quart where the boys steamed into the Consolation Cup semi-finals with an emphatic 3-0 win.
With games becoming more physical and competitive, the Youth Team stood tall showing great composure and endeavour all over the pitch.
The first half was a tight battle but in the second half, the team produced one of the best halves of the tournament.
Dion Kirk scored from the spot to open the score after Bruce Kamau was brought down. The second and third goals were a result of great team play and quick ball movement, with Kamau netting both.
Ecstatic with the way the team played, Youth Team coach Michael Valkanis was quick to comment on how the opposition teams were playing.
“We have always been familiar with the tika-taka part of there Spanish game, but another aspect which we have seen and learnt is the competitiveness and aggressiveness in wanting to win the ball back, their closing down speed and physicality when defending.
“The winning at all costs attitude the Spanish have been playing here in the finals, will be a steep learning curve for all our boys, who are learning to play through living and breathing it all.”
Youth Team Assistant Coach, Angelo Costanzo, tweeted immediately after the game expressing his delight with the win:
@AngeloChoka4 ‘Super result and performance to outclass UE Quart by @adelutd_fc NYL and move to the semis.’
The Semi-final will be played today against local Catalan team, CE L-Hospitalet, which kicks-off at 12:00pm local time (7:30pm ACST).
