Went to watch the U18 team in a Friendly game against Zuerich Grasshoppers yesterday evening at 16.00 local time.
The result was 2-1 for Grasshoppers, scoring the winner very , very late on in the game (89th min).
It was a wonderful opportunity to see at close hand the potential future stars coming up through the ranks.
The team play on Friday evening in Bern against the YB (Young Boys) U18 in Wankdorf stadium Bern. Yes that really is it's name pronounced with a V and not a W. If work allows me , I'm hoping to get along to see this game too.
This was quite a close game and although City looked the most likely team to score, strangely enough and against the run of play, Grasshoppers went ahead with a beautifully struck right footed shot from midfield, about 25 metres out. Gunnar Nielson managed to get his hand to the ball, high up to the right hand corner of the goal, but the strength of the shot beat him and the ball trickled into the net.
For the most part the City players showed great skill on the ball and most of their passing was sweet and precise.
The game was played at a very high intensity and more often than not the City players won possession or were able to read the play and intercept and breakdown Grasshopper moves. Both teams tackled with a ferocity we don't always see, even at the top playing levels and belied the 'Friendly' title on the Matchflyer.
Grasshoppers started with their players from the U17 World Championship team, whilst we had to wait for our own Fredi Vaseli to get a chance in the second half.
For the most part, all players put in a solid performance and perhaps only Robert Mak can be picked out for his outstanding wing play , his control and the superbly taken goal. The equalising goal began with a midfield splitting pass from deep in the City half to him just inside our own half. He took the ball on, with a massive burst of speed, left his oncoming opposition for dead, and arrived in the penalty area to make a perfect shot with the inside of his foot under the goalkeeper. an excellent lesson in clinical finishing and a mangnificent burst of speed to break through the Grasshopper back four just over the half way line.
In the second half Kieran Trippier seemed to tire a little and was skinned a couple of times towards the end.
The Grasshopper winning goal came about through a mix up in the defence after a corner that was cleared and from the subseqent cross, when the grasshopper attacker was allowed too much time on the ball.
It was great to see such tight ball control and confident dribbling from the lads , indeed both teams. Grasshoppers were an excellent opposition for the U18s.
Alex Nimley, Reece Wabara and Dedryk Boyota also had fine games and Fredi Veseli himself looked good and eager to make an impression on the game.
City had several opportunities to take the lead and were left to regret not taking those chances with the late, clumsy winner from Grasshoppers.
The fitness levels and speed of play from both teams was noticable and in all respects except finishing, City seemed the better team, retaining more control of the game than the opposition.
Today is a quiet day, with no training and the match tomorrow will be played on artificial turf.
I'll definitely give you a report if i am able to get over there to the game in Bern.
I'll try and get some better photos too. Everything yesterday was a bit rushed and although Endemol filmed the game, i rather suspect we may not get to see any highlights.
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