Tuesday 6th July 2010
Tonbridge is participating in the Gothia Cup this summer for the sixth consecutive year. The tournament takes place in Gothenburg, Sweden between 18 and 24 July, with over 5,000 teams from over 80 different countries taking part. This year Tonbridge, playing in the Under 16 category, will meet opposition from Brazil, Sweden and Norway during the group stage. Full details of the draw can be found on the tournament website. Daily updates will be posted here throughout the tournament.
19 July 2010 Thomson Treble as Tonbridge Triumph
A late change of opponent meant that Tonbridge's opener involved a first ever fixture with Guatemalan opposition in the 557 year history of the school, but it was just like watching Brazil as Academia FC were comfortably beaten 4 - 1. An 11 am kick off at a distant but impressive North Gothenburg location required an early start for the boys - there are already some tired eyes after an 11 pm arrival at the Gothia Towers Hotel last night.
Tonbridge opened the scoring after twelve minutes when Rees-Williams' instinctive through ball picked out Thomson who slammed it into the bottom left in a manner which suggested he had learnt from his housemaster's finishing skills. He added a second five minutes before half time when he refused to give up on a lost cause, keeping the ball alive before dribbling into the box and toe poking home, suggesting equal attention to the talents of Coach Bleakley. Half time 2-0.
Youth was given its head after half time, as the youngsters Leek and Black replaced the aging yet sprightly Brenton and the pretty unfit but well tanned Rees-Williams, thereby joining Gothia Cup debutants Mitchell and Adam. It was an impressive substitution by Coach Evans whose faith in youth was well rewarded as Mitchell and Adams maintained their impressive solidity at the back, whilst Black and Leek showed impressive composure when combining to put Thomson in to complete his hat-trick. This was the best goal of the day as midfield passing created the space for Thomson to show his predatory instincts. Beech and Young replaced the impressive Humphrey and Pearce on 32 minutes as Tonbridge maintained their dominance. Smith added a fourth with a typically calm finish as he rolled off the shoulder of the hapless Guatamalian centre back.
There was still time for the the Central American outfit to get one back with a clever chip over the otherwise dominant captain and goalkeeper, Dom Merchant. But there was no chance of a comeback however, with the tireless O'Neill and Lawson reasserting their midfield control with crisp tackling and clever movement.
A coaches' scouting mission has revealed that tougher times await as both Elsfborg and Lyn looked well organised and strong. But there is certainly high confidence in the Tonbridge camp after the best start to a Gothia campaign since 2005. The boys are now enjoying down time before watching Harrow play at 4 and the excitement of tonight's opening ceremony at the Ullevi stadium, where we await to hear the latest developments in the life of Frederik and Anna who were engaged at the event in 2008 and then tied the knot in front of 50,000 bemused but supportive spectators in 2009. We'll keep you posted!
20/7/2010 Dignity in Defeat as Swedes Squeeze Home
Swedish premiership leaders IF Elfsborg U16 were tested to the limit by a battling Tonbridge XI this afternoon in a pulsating encounter between the leaders of Group 19. On a bumpy Kviberg pitch, Tonbridge started confidently, refusing to be intimidated or indeed dazzzled by the amount of sponsorship on the opposition's bright yellow strip. In their more sober and traditional strip, Tonbridge attacked downhill, with Thomson showing outstanding skill as he looked to add to his already impressive tally. The midfield hassled and harried their skilful opponents, with Beech and O'Neill tackling ferociously and fairly as we looked to prevent them gaining any motivation. Brenton and Black provided good width allowing Tonbridge to push balls into dangerous errors as we looked to turn their back four. Our defence expertly marshalled by Adam and Humphrey coped well with anything that could be thrown at them and full backs Young and Pearce shielded the dominant Merchant in goal. HALF TIME 0-0
The second half began well, with Lawson replacing Black and Brenton released into a more advanced role to support Thomson. Just as Tonbridge sensed their opportunity to score and record a fantastic upset, IF Elfsborg took the lead with a well delivered cross eluding the Tonbridge markers and their captain burying a bullet like header past Merchant. Unbowed, Tonbridge dug deep and with the introduction of fresh legs in the form of Leek, Smith and Mitchell once again began to pass the ball confidently and purposefully forward. Unfortunately, a mix up between the otherwise excellent Rees-Williams and Merchant led to a tap in for the Swedish centreforward. To their great credit the boys channelled their frustration into the football that led to the move of the match when Thomson slipped his marker and released Lawson who fired a thunderbolt against the Swedish post from fourteen yards. This led to an impassioned speech from the opposition coach, a Gus Huddink lookalike, who rightly sensed Tonbridge's continuing threat. Alas time ran out and despite the occasional corner, no real opportunity presented itself clearly. FULL TIME 0-2
Disco fever has subsequently distracted the boys from any sense of regret as they look to fulfil the Gothia cup motto and meet new friends from around the world. Tomorrow's game will kick off tomorrow at 3pm and will be followed by an evening fixture against Lebanese, Brazilian or Spanish opponents as all the groups hot up.
21/7/2010 Three nil down, six goals up in the crazy world of the Gothia Cup.
After an afternoon of disappointment all is rosy again in the Tonbridge camp and we are not talking about the kit. In freshly laundered shirts courtesy of Coach Evans, Tonbridge returned to the lush surfaces at Kviberg to face Norwegian outfit FC Lynn in a second place decider. A calamitous own goal in the first minute from Lawson set the tone for a frustrating and ultimately fruitless game as Tonbridge conceded two late second half goals to surrender a chance at actually winning the whole competition. Instead the boys had to settle for a return to Kviberg this evening for a match against Brazilian side Colege Batista.
This match was totally different. Knowing nothing short of victory would suffice, Tonbridge came out of the blocks at a ferocious speed with Beech nodding in his first goal of the week. A thundering drive from Rees´-Williams set any lingering nerves at ease as despite some swanky ball skills, the Brazilians did not seem interested in winning the game but rather to indulge in some histrionics and gamesmanship. With Lawson and Black marauding down the wings, chances came readily and it was no surprise that Beech scored a second just before half time. Half Time 3-0
Able to rotate the squad like his idol Rafa Benitez, Coach Leale warmed to the exciting possibilities of seeing Leek and Mitchell combining skilfully with the latter coming close to scoring after a mazy dribble. O'Neill was being targeted for some particularly cynical challenges, but he smiled pleasantly in the face of such taunts and handed the ball to Brenton to score from a resulting free kick. Thomson added a fifth before chances were created by Adam for Smith and Young who scored his first ever Tonbridge goal. The defence were once again well controlled by Humphrey and Pearce as Merchant recorded a well-deserved clean sheet.
Tomorrow sees Tonbridge face Lebanese opposition in what will hopefully be a long and successful run to the final with the possibility of facing Harrow in a subsequent round. The boys have headed to bed in a happy mood at the the prospect of more football and Norwegian female supporters following a productive post match tram journey.
22/7/2010 PENALTY KINGS AT LAST
Lawson scored.1-0. Rees Williams scored 2-1.Leek scored 3-2. Pearce scored 4-3. O'Neill scored 5-4. Merchant saved. Tonbridge through to the last thirty two for the first time in their Gothia Cup adventures.
In an explosive encounter against Beiruit Academy, Tonbridge came from a goal behind at half time to eventually emerge victorious after penalty drama. The equaliser was crafted by Thomson and superbly finished by veteran striker, Brenton who dummied the keeper before slotting it home. Tonbridge had chances to win it in normal time, with Lawson and Rees-Williams going close as Tonbridge dominated proceedings.
Normal time ended in controversy when the animated Beiruit gaffer, Said was dismissed to the stands by the referee while the unflappable Tonbridge coaches looked on agahst at this breach of Gothia etiquette. A few minutes later, Said was meant to be followed by his enraged assistant who refused to vacate the arena and with the referee distracted by these shenanigans, the Lebanese decided to start a skrimash in the box which led to the referee seemingly abandoning the game one minute early. Lengthy consulations at the highest level of Gothia officialdom led to the controversial decision to proceed to a penalty shoot out.
Tonbridge were nerveless and focussed as they dispatched their penalties with aplomb. Our dream of playing Harrow will have to wait until a rainy February afternoon as they succombed on penalties to Danish outfit IF Grand Bödö who will face a confident Tonbridge side this evening at 8.45pm local time.
21/7/10 A Bridge too far
Tonbridge returmed to the fair stadium of Majvallen in a relaxed and jovial mood following their excellent result earlier against the Lebanese. Under floodlights, with the loyal support of future Tonbridge parents and Charterhouse staff, Tonbridge started brightly and Beech twice went close after good work from Brenton and Thomson. Tonbridge sensed a goal coming and it duly arrived when Rees-Williams latched onto Beech's layoff to drill home from the edge of the area. Perhaps at this point Tonbridge thought the game was theirs and a misunderstanding between our centre backs, led to a long direct ball upfield ( reminiscent of Germany's opening goal versus England) resulting in an equaliser for the Danish side. HALF TIME 1-1
The second half again began brightly with the introduction of Lawson adding some pace and threat to the left hand side with Beech nearly connecting with his early cross. Another chance came and went when the unfortunate Lawson lost the flight of the ball in the floodlights, unmarked at the back stick. Sadly, the reprieved Danes rallied and enjoyed a ten minute spell where they took the lead when the greasy ball slipped through the otherwise untroubled Merchant's fingers. Despite some excellent work from Thomson and Rees-Williams the goal just would not come and a sense that it was not our night was confirmed when a speculative Danish freekick into the box eluded everyone and nestled in the corner. To the boys' credit, they battled right to the end and were gracious in defeat.
This has been a ground breaking tour with the most amount of matches (6) being played in the space of four hectic days and Tonbridge progressing to the last thirty two of the B play offs. Lessons will be learnt which will stand the boys in good stead in their future footballing careers. The boys now have the opportunity to spend our remaining day watching and enjoying the fabulous festival of football which is the Gothia Cup.
