day sixteen

MFS 2 - Manchester City 0

A fantastic win for the boys!!!!

Our character was to be examined with the game against Manchester City after a wretched time at

Blackburn. The boys were to show how the Australian psyche is renowned in professional football

within the UK.

The day started with a very relaxed preparation with a late breakfast and a leisurely walk.

The coach left for Manchester City Academy with 20 young men keen to make amends for the

nightmare at Blackburn. The atmosphere within the coach was filled with a mixture of adrenalin,

anxiety and a steely determination to finish the Tour on a high note.

Manchester City’s Academy provides young players with first class facilities and we were

welcomed by the City entourage who immediately made everyone feel at home. The boys headed

straight for the dressing room and by-passed all the pomp and ceremony with a real sense of focus.

The game started at a high tempo with both teams eager to assert their authority. MFS displayed a

hunger to win every ball and finished the first half without Manchester City having one shot at goal.

The second half was more open and it was MFS who created the most and this was rewarded with

a goal after 60 minutes. A slick passing move resulted in a great strike from Ricardo Gonzalez that

hit the post. The rebound was dispatched with a clinical finish by Rody Covarrubias with his left foot

which sent the MFS players into ecstasy.

Manchester responded with a flurry of chances but were unable to convert and it was MFS who

sealed the game with a goal late in the second half by Alex Hargitay who was to later say “this goal

will be one I tell my grandchildren about in years to come”.

The game ended and the MFS spirit and reputation as a team with real character was reinstated at

the Manchester City Academy.

One of the highlights of the day was the presence of the legendary Brian Kidd who watched the

game and was on hand at the end of the game to congratulate the boys. He chatted to all the lads

and provided them with words of wisdom and encouragement. A number of the lads did not realise

they were in the presence of a football legend but soon were in awe after ‘Googling’ him afterwards.

A happy coach ride to the Manchester City v Arsenal was had by one and all and the night was

complete with Manchester City winning 3-0 – Daniel Campbell lead the boys with a roaring

rendition of ‘Blue Moon’ . Everyone has now accepted this as their signature tune and hotel guests

have been hearing the song sung (out of tune mostly) by one and all.

A great finish to a great day and this Tour has resulted in 3 wins ( Man City, Dundee Utd & Scottish

Youth), 1 Draw (Hibs) and 2 losses (Rangers & Blackburn) – a very successful experience.