Randburg Football Club’s U12s perform well at the Donosti Cup in Spain
PRAEGVILLE – Local budding soccer stars got a chance to play at a tournament in Spain.
The youngsters got a taste of the European style of play at the Donosti Cup recently.
Upon their return, coach Roger Niken discussed some of the highlights with Randburg Sun.
The team won two of its three group matches to finish second in the pool in goal difference. It then went on to win one knock-out game before losing to a Mexican side in the next round and get knocked out of the tournament.
“The boys learnt a lot from their experience,” Niken said.
“They learnt tournament football away from home and parents, and it is not easy. Having technical ability is not good enough, as mental strength from being away from parents at such a young age also affects their game.”
Furthermore, Niken said injuries and fatigue took its toll from the fourth day onwards when the youngsters had to play more than one game per day.
“They learnt how to play against physically stronger children, who use time-wasting tactics once they go ahead. The teams from Spain and Mexico showed our boys how to be clinical in front of goal. The hunger to get to that level of football they saw overseas can already be seen in the games we’ve played since returning.”
In their last three U13 South African Academy League games, the U12s scored 10 goals and only conceded two. They also won the U12 Randburg Nite Series tournament, scoring 14 goals and not conceding any.
In conclusion, Niken was excited at how motivated the youngsters have become since the Donosti Cup, and have shown improvement in their mental strength and endurance.
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