Three of Cardiff City’s Academy sides recently enjoyed continental trips to finish off the 2016/17 campaign.
These end-of-season tests were designed to competitively test our younger age groups against some of Europe’s strongest Academy teams, in a demanding environment.
First on their travels were Cardiff City’s U10 side, who fought against Inter Milan (hosted in Southampton) before making the trip to Spain to take on Levante & Villarreal.
RESULTS - U10
- Inter Milan 2-2 Cardiff City
- Villarreal (B) 6-6 Cardiff City (B)
- Villarreal (A) 5-6 Cardiff City (A)
- Levante (B) 3-2 Cardiff City (B)
- Levante (A) 5-3 Cardiff City (A)
Before travelling to the Netherlands for a round of fixtures against Eredivisie champions, Feyenoord, and Dutch giants, Ajax, our U11 side also travelled down to Southampton to take on, and defeat their Inter Milan counterparts.
RESULTS - U11
- Inter Milan 0-2 Cardiff City
- Feyenoord 1-4 Cardiff City
- Ajax 10-13 Cardiff City
Cardiff City’s U9 side joined their U11 equivalent for the trip to the Netherlands – earning a positive win over Ajax in the process.
RESULTS - U9
- Feyenoord 12-1 Cardiff City
- Ajax 10-12 Cardiff City
Following this educational trip for our young Bluebirds, Lead Foundation Coach Lawrence Hallett said: “While the results were very favourable, we were more impressed by how we could impose our possession-based playing style on some of Europe’s strongest Academies.
“The players were subjected to an entirely different set of challenges, ranging from playing styles to travelling away from their families for the first time. Their behaviour & representation of Cardiff City’s Academy was exemplary.”
These trips were only possible for our U9, U10 & U11 groups thanks to the extensive fundraising of parents & guardians of those at Cardiff City’s Academy.
We must also place on record a great deal of gratitude towards Involve Recruitment & Edwards Coaches for their support of the Academy, and financial contribution towards these tours.