Dallas Cup XXXI
 Pizza Hut Park Stadium, Frisco, Texas.
       Friday 2nd April 2010, 6pm.

   TOTTENHAM      v       CRUZERIO
 (White/Blue)            (All Blue)
     4-4-2                  4-3-3

      1(1)                   3(2)

Unused subs – Jordan, Munns.

Coach – J. McDermott

Scorers – Nicholson 42 pen.

Booked – Butcher 80(Trip), Barthram 90+2(Threw ball away)

Cruzerio team –Borges R., Jesus, Assis, Rodrigues, Silva H.(Carvalho 81), Bento, Bessa, Alves, Silva J.(Borges L. 64), Santos A.(Santos C. 46), Soares(Araujo 90+2).

Unused subs - Mota, Oliveira, Souza

Coach – A. Grassell

Scorers – Santos A. 10, 40, Carvalho 90+3

Booked – Jesus 20(Trip), Assis 62(Trip)

Another afternoon of high temperatures set the scene for the first semi-final between Spurs and Brazilian side Cruzerio. Spurs lined up with Jansson in goal behind Butcher and Durojaiye with Nicholson filling in at right back again and Francis-Angol on the left. Cox and Australian Luongo started in the centre of midfield with Carroll on the right and M'Poku on the left. Byrne and Oyenuga were again up front.

Spurs defended the north end and were soon under pressure from the young Brazilian side. Jesus crossed from the right for Santos who headed over before he fired wide over himself. An early long ball from Jesus found Santos clear of the defence with only Jansson to beat which he did with an early strike. Spurs responded well when M'Poku played in Oyenuga but Borges saved well. A loose ball let in Silva who shot wide before Oyenuga worked an opening but was deigned by Bourges again. The keeper then saved Carroll's free kick.

Jesus was shown a yellow card attempting to prevent M'Poku getting away again. M'Poku took the free kick himself which was saved. Cruzerio were now being pushed back with the forwards being isolated and having to make their own chances as when Soares had an effort saved. Carroll saw his drive saved and then his free kick was helped on by M'Poku for Luongo who missed the chance. Cruzerio increased their lead when Butcher ducked under a cross for Jansson to collect only for Santos to head in at the far post.

Spurs got a goal back when a defender handled in the area and Nicholson stepped up to beat the keeper to his right. Almost immediately another attack down the right provided a cross that Oyenuga headed powerfully down which Bourges could not hold allowing Oyenuga to force the ball over the line. Unfortunately the ref ruled it out for a foul on the keeper who needed attention. Jansson saved Rodrigues header from a corner as the half ended.

M'Poku had the first chance of the second half when he struck a free kick over the bar. Silva fired over after Spurs failed to clear a corner before M'Poku had an easy effort saved. Assis was booked for tripping Oyenuga as he got free. Barthram came on for Francis-Angol who was still suffering from his injury against Japan. Butcher gave the ball away to Soares who had a clear run at goal but was foiled by Jansson's save. Pritchard replaced Luongo in midfield to up the pace.

Hyago Silva made a strong run down the left from his own half breaking three tackles before firing in a shot that was half saved by the keeper but had to be cleared off the line. M'Poku was still doing his best and had another effort saved before Butcher tripped Silva as he made another run at the defence. When Oyenuga was replaced by Tapping, Butcher was pushed up front with Cox dropping into the back four and Nicholson moved into midfield to allow Tapping to go to right back.

As Spurs pushed forward in search of an equaliser they began to leave space at the back which allowed Soares to test Jansson. Barthram was booked preventing Cruzerio taking a quick throw-in. That yellow must have been on his mind when Santos got behind him and into the area as he allowed him to cross to the far post where Carvalho was unmarked to volley home. With time running out Spurs won a another penalty when Butcher was impeded at a corner. Nicholson stepped up again to take it. This time he hit it to the keeper left but it hit the underside of the crossbar and out to be cleared. That was the last chance and Cruzerio celebrated going through to the final where they will meet Monterrey who beat the Mexico U20 side 3-1.

After the draw with Japan when we lost two players from the squad, there was little hope that Spurs would get as far as they did. Two individual errors and a missed penalty saw them lose out on a final appearance. Like the first team our academy side have not converted many penalties this season. The coaching staff have been pleased with the performance at this tournament and believe that it has been a good experience for the young players.

Ray

Follow @spursodyssey