IMG Cup 2016, Super Group
Saturday 17th December 2016, 7.30pm
Tottenham Hotspur 3(2) – 1(1) U-17 United States National Team

Spurs(4-1-4-1)(All Yellow):– De Bie; Eyoma(Brown 74), Tanganga, Dinzeyi,Tsaroulla; Oakley-Boothe(Lock 74); Shashoua(Sterling 48), Roles, Duncan, Bennetts(Gonzalez 10); Griffiths

Unused Subs:– Austin; Hinds, Omolabi, Reynolds

Scorers:– Duncan 26, Griffiths 32, Sterling 49

Booked:– Tsaroulla 80+2

US U-17(4-2-3-1)(All White):– Garces; Lindsey, Gloster, J. Sands(Angking 75), Vasquez; Durkin, Akinola; Ferri, Sargent, Acosta(Goslin 53); Carleton(Jones 64)

Unused Subs:– Budnik; Weber, Asensio, Ritaccio, Watts, Bencomo, Hundley, W. Sands, Jones, Temple, Vaughn, Villegas

Scorer:– Acosta 36

Booked:– Ferri 20, Carleton 61, Jones 71

It was a cool evening for the last group match which was against the US U-17 team that had done well in recent Internationals. Both teams had won their opening two games with Spurs having a better goal difference of three. The national anthems of the two countries were played before the start. Spurs lined up with De Bie in goal behind Dinzeyi and Tanganga with Eyoma at right back and Tsaroulla on the left. In place of the suspended Marsh, Oakley-Boothe anchored the midfield with Roles and Duncan ahead of him. They were flanked by Shashoua on the right and Bennetts on the left in support of Griffiths up front.

Spurs defended the South end in the first half but were soon on the attack with Garces saving from Shashoua after just a minute. Spurs lost Bennetts to a leg injury early and he was replaced by Gonzalez. Carleton fired over before Shashoua fired wide. Tanganga headed over from a free kick by Shashoua. Roles had an effort saved for a corner. Spurs went ahead when Duncan advanced and hit a volley that took a big deflection to curl over the keeper. A minute later Roles was presented with the ball 30 yards out and tried to lift it over the keeper. Griffiths fired over but was played through seconds later to score past the advancing Garces for 2-0. Duncan fired over before Spurs were caught out at the back to let Acosta in to score for the States. Akinola held off Eyoma to get in a shot that De Bie saved just before half-time.

There were no changes for the start of the second half which saw Spurs go straight upfield from the kick off with Roles playing Griffiths in for a chance that was saved. Shashoua played in Griffiths to win a corner from the save by Garces. Roles hit a free kick up and over the wall into the arms of the keeper.

Shashoua was replaced after a heavy challenge by Sterling who received the ball for the first time in the area. Sterling took a quick sidestep and turned before firing inside the far post for Spurs' third goal. Roles fired wide from a corner before Carleton shot wide at the other end before he was replaced. Spurs went wide before Tsaroulla got down the left and saw his effort deflected for a corner.

Jones was booked for a late lunge at Tanganga that infuriated the defender so much he had to be restrained. Roles' next free kick was not held by the keeper who pushed it around the post for a corner. Spurs made a double change with the suffering Eyoma replaced by Brown. Lock came on for Oakley-Boothe. Akinola fired wide when played in by Angking. Tsaroulla was booked for a late tackle before Akinola had the last chance that he hit wide.

This was a good win over a national side which could have been by more than the three goals they scored. They now play Deportivo Toluca for the trophy tomorrow. The Mexican side beat FC Florida 2-1 having been reduced to ten men to top their group.

Ray

· Ray Lo's Day One report
· Ray Lo's Day Two report
· Ray Lo's IMG Final report

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