MIC Cup 2013: Our Match vs Begur

MIC Cup game #1

TFA vs Begur

3-27-13

After months of intense preparation, the day had come for our MIC Cup debut. A pleasant 25 minute bus ride to Begur to take on local youth club Begur in their hometown stadium. A great atmosphere awaited the team and we were ready to get the well oiled machine running.

The teams walked out like the pros from the dressing room tunnels onto the pitch with the applause thundering down from the bleachers. Total Futbol Academy (that’s us) was foaming at the mouth to get things started and it didn’t take long since Efra Alvarez (aka Lebron), broke through on a nice ball from Imanol to finish with a hard drive to the near post just 6 minutes in.

One minute later and Uly (Neymar) had carved up a defender near the corner kick baseline and squared a ball back to a streaking Alvarez who took a clean first touch to round a defender and finish with class to the far post.

Three minutes later and a carbon copy of the 2nd goal with Uly provided an excellent weighted through-ball for Efra Alvarez to run in behind the high back line being deployed by Begur. Lebron calmly finishes to the far post. 3-0 in first 10 minutes. A dream start to the tournament, and we were far from done.

The fourth goal was the first of 3 gems on the night. Artur cuts his man from the top right corner of the 18 yard box and squares a ball across the top of the 18, Alvarez does the unthinkable and scoops the ball up on his first touch to himself with back to goal and delivers a stunning chilena (bicycle kick) that crashes off the post and in. GOOOOOOOOOOOLASO!!! 4-0 and all 4 goals by Alvarez. The half time whistle sounds and the local crowd was amazed at the futbol being displayed by the boys.

The goals would continue to pour in during the 2nd half. John Hilton provided the 2nd gem of the night. He started his patented Dani Alves run at midfield, splitting two defenders and then cut inside on the top of the 18 yard box, took on two more defenders running from right to left on the edge of the area before unleashing a curling left footed bomb to the far post. Another wonder goal, the best of Xuxu’s youth career that I’ve seen to date.

Romario would feed Carlos Anguiano (Charley) for the 6th goal off a short corner play in the 36th minute. Lebron (Alvarez) would net his 5th goal of the game after a nice combo with Uly. Little Neymar (Uly) would round out the final score 10 minutes from time with a galloping run from midfield, double scissor as he approached the box and unleashed a far post curler with class. The home crowd applauded the goals as their own. Ewwwwwwwws an Awwwwwwws were frequently heard during the passing moves throughout the game.

Efrain Alvarez obviously turned in the man of the match performance according to the MIC staff in attendance. On top of his clinical finishing, he provided the team with good passing and excellent work rate.

We’re against the FC Barcelona monster next!

A dream debut for a team that is on a mission. To make history against the top Academies in the world. Up next tomorrow at noon, is the 800 pound gorilla, Futbol Club Barcelona. The best 2001 team in Spain and arguably the world. Stay tuned for details of the game of the year.

A por ellos!!!!