One-Two Magazine - November, 2013
NCF ELITES TRIP TO SWEDEN FOR THE 2013 GOTHIA YOUTH WORLD CUP
Following four months of intensive training and a tough schedule of preparation matches, NCF Elites departed from Heathrow on the 14th July bound for Gothenberg and the Gothia Youth World Cup! NCF Elites manager Nick Cook & assistant manager Simon Williams set off with fourteen outstanding U15s players to embark on what would prove to be an experience of a lifetime and an opportunity to take on some of the best teams from all over the world! NCF Elites had been drawn in a group with a team from Sweden, Germany & Brazil so some extremely exciting fixtures lie in front of the boys!
Match 2 (Brazil)
The boys understood this was an important game to get points on the board if we wanted to progress to the Grade A tournament. Our flowing football began from the first whistle and we took an early lead and were looking as comfortable as you can at 1 nil up. Then a truly Brazilian goal from 30 yards brought them back in to the match and the Samba beat could be heard. Match finished 1 all however that certainly flattered the Brazilians!
Last 64 (Portugal)
We started the game off quickly and took an early lead following a great finish. The Portugese came roaring back and went 2 v 1 ahead. Three minutes to go and a fantastically weighted pass split their defense and we were back level. Following a stalemate in extra time we went to penalties! We missed our first and they took four of the best penalties you’ll see. It was now Portugal taking their 5th penalty to go through to the next round. Our keeper pulls off a great save and we in on sudden death. As you can imagine the scenes were buoyant!
Last 32 (Honduras)
On arrival the Hondurans were going through a synchronised warm up, which to be fair looked very impressive. However the NCF Elites blasted them off the pitch with some devasting attacking play we created six chances and scored 5 conceding 1. This was attacking football from the top drawer!
Match 1 (Sweden)
1 minute in and we found ourselves behind and was obvious we were up against a really strong team. We regained our composure and began to ipose ourselves on the match and created to one on one’s before the break. Following the restart we found ourselves two down within a minute and now facing an uphill challenge.. The lads dug deep and clawed a goal back however left ourselves a little exposed at the back and conceded another two. Final score 4 v 1. However there were still a lot of positives to take from the game!
Last 16 (Sweden)
With nine of the NCF Elites boys playing a year up and now nursing a few injuries we played against a physically domineering team. They were huge. We had changed the system slightly to compensate for injuries and fatigue. WE kept things extremely tight and although the Swedes were dominant in possession we created the best two chances of a tight first half! 2nd half continued much the same however a deflected cross and their centre forward kneeing the ball past our keeper was the difference between the teams. Our journey had come to an end!
Match 3 (Germany)
A must win match and the boys produced a very professional performance to dismantle the Germans comfortably 3 nil. This win enabled us to progress through in 2nd place to the Grade A tournament last 64, however no one was prepared for what we were about to go through!
NCF Elites is an independent football development programme providing Elite players with a platform to maximise their potential and showcase their ability to top professional Academies both here and abroad. We provide both a coaching and mentoring system which incorporates top quality coaching with support, encouragement and advice tailored to the needs of the individual. Players are still in a position to continue to play with their regular football teams
NCF Elites has certainly helped my game
move to the next level and has provided me with some fantastic football experiences. I would recommend it to any young elite player it was a real privilege to captain this group of players both on and off the pitch. We have grown so close as a group and that was proved by our performances in Sweden at the Gothia Youth World Cup. I would like to thank all my team for their efforts. We will all remember this experience for a very long time.
NCF ElitesU15s Captain Romario
NCF Elites run age groups from U11s-U16s if interested in attending a trial call 07403 070934
Or email [email protected]. Check out our website www.ncfootball.co.uk
Our son's experience with NCF Elites has been hugely positive
not only in terms of advancing his footballing skills but also his wider personal development. Intensive, well-planned training sessions combined with strong individualised support and mentoring quickly produced notable improvements in skills, tactical awareness, personal fitness and confidence. The trip to the Gothia Youth World Cup was undoubtedly an unforgettable experience - creating some footballing memories which will last a lifetime and a real understanding of what can be achieved through being part of a committed team and the friendships and bonds that result
Parent Steve Syrett