Toffeeweb - Talking Points - Everton Youth in Soweto

Everton Youth in Soweto

Everton Youth have reached the final of a youth tournament being played in Soweto.

I was flicking through the sports channels yesterday and caught the final 20 minutes of a 60-minute semi-final. We beat the defending champions from Brazil 1-0 and we meet a Mexican team in the final. The match kicks off at noon (10am GMT). The match is live on the TV and I will post the final score.

Alan Irvine is in charge of the team. I read on the official site that the tournament is for Under-17s but we have taken an Under-16 team. We scored with 10 minutes to go. A flowing move of one-touch football down the right flank. The cross was met first time by our centre-forward and he gave the keeper no chance.

Philip Arnold, Johannesburg, South Africa Posted 30/03/2013 at 07:44:27

back Return to Talking Points index : Add your Comments

Reader Comments

Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer

Philip Arnold
887 Posted 30/03/2013 at 17:00:50

The game finished 1 goal each and we lost on penalties.

The penalty loss was controversial. We had scored 3 from 5 and Tijuana from Mexico needed to score with their final penalty to make it 3 penalties each. Our keeper saved low to his left but was adjudged to have moved forward from his line. The Mexican scored with the retaken penalty. We missed number 6, they scored.

The match was 30 minutes each half. Tijuana dominated the first half but Connoly scored after 20 minutes for Everton. The second half was more even and Tijuana scored with 10 minutes left. Possession was Everton 45% v Tijuana 55%. The commentators felt that Connoly was one of the stand out players of the tournament.

Dennis Stevens
906 Posted 30/03/2013 at 20:03:46

Thanks for the update Philip.

Geoff Edwards
115 Posted 31/03/2013 at 16:08:24

How did the team look Philip? I caught a stream part of the semi final against the Brazilians. They didn't look very good, couldn't seem to string a couple of passes together. But I only watched 10 mins, so could be wrong...

Philip Arnold
138 Posted 31/03/2013 at 16:58:46

Geoff, my comments on the shape of a football team should be considered in the light that I am a 60-year-old retired prop forward whose pinnacle of achievement with the round ball was to play centre forward for Blanefield Thistle in the Forth & Endrick league 42 years ago.

We are fortunate in South Africa to have access to a considerable number of live European football matches. I watch every Everton match and a few other Premier League & La Liga matches. Everton Youth were far more direct than their Brazilian & Mexican opponents. Everton Youth had the ball control, basic skills and fitness but they did not support the man on the ball in the midfield arena the way their Hispanic opponents did. Simple arithmetic dictates that to support the midfield man on the ball removes options and movement up front. The style of play was typical of their respective countries. Everton Youth tried to work the ball to the flanks and provide dangerous crosses. Their opponents were trying to work the ball through the middle.

I watched the game realising that some 16-year-olds have reached a different level of physical maturity to others.

I want to stress that the young men playing for Everton Youth did us proud. They conducted themselves well and won the respect of opponents, spectators and TV pundits.

Adam Fenlon
225 Posted 01/04/2013 at 07:23:00

Something for the trophy cabinet?

Add Your Comments

In order to post a comment, you need to be logged in as a registered user of the site.

» Log in now

Or Sign up as a ToffeeWeb Member — it's free, takes just a few minutes and will allow you to post your comments on articles and Talking Points submissions across the site.