Official Report from the touring party regarding from recent U16 Development Tournament in Liechtenstein: Gib V San Marino (0-0 San Marino win on penalties) Despite the 0-0 draw, we dominated the first 15-20 minutes with a couple of good chances. Unfortunately they did not go in and San Marino slowly got back into the game. Some enforced changes were made due to knocks to our players although the game was not rough with the sin bin for 10 minutes having an impact on the tackling and definitely no dissent was seen. The second half proved to be a tight contest with San Marino extremely solid in defence but with no penetration, and we dangerous when going forward, but with no success. The penalty shootout saw every player step up and the 1st penalty of the second round in (sudden death) proved decisive with the score ending 11-10. Gib V Malta (2-3) This proved to be a great game with Malta taking a 2-0 lead before Gibraltar turned the game on its head and managed to pull 2 goals back to level the match only to be denied by a wonder strike in the last minute of the game. The game was well contested with both teams having chances but Malta took the lead in the first half. Then in the second half Gibraltar again started strongly and managing to contain the Maltese attack. As tends to happen set pieces were crucial and corner produced the second goal for Malta. Going 2-0 seemed to free up the Gib side and they started opening up and passing the ball around with Liam Thorne running the past two players and scoring a wonderful goal. Gib kept pressing by changing to a 4-2-4 system in which Liam Thorne produced another moment of magic, wriggling into the area and finding and himself 1v1 with the keeper slotting it past him. The game then became end to end but with no real chances of note until the 80th minute when from outside the area the Malta struck with a wonder goal flying into the top corner of our net. This proved devastating and decisive in terms of the result. Gib V Liechtenstein (1-1 Liechtenstein win 5-3 on penalties) Despite he third game against the hosts ending one a piece, the curse of the penalty shootout struck the Gibraltar squad once again, with Liechtenstein winning the shootout 5-3. Liechtenstein dominated the first half but had no real cutting edge. They took advantage of one of the Gibraltar players going down injured to break down their left flank and score. This sparked a reaction from Gibraltar and in in the second half when we started to dominate and the hosts content to sit back and counter attack. Gibraltar switched to 3 at the back and equalized from the penalty spot, scored by Andrew ‘Pishu’ Hernandez. The hosts manager was consequently sent from the dugout, but they managed to hang on and were victorious in the shootout. Irrespective of the results (2 out of the three were draws) the experiences gained should stand the Gibraltar squad in good stead in the latest stage of their development on the international scene.
Posted on: Mon, 28 Apr 2014 11:19:25 +0000
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