13 July 2015
First full day at Gothia Cup and did not start well but ended on such a high note.
Boys play first and after a wonderful breakfast, (food this week is the bomb fyi), we play a Swedish team. Very even game and we go back and forth. They created chances and we created chances but no scoring until the last 5 seconds, yes 5 seconds, and we lose 1-0. Bad taste in our mouth and will remain until our next game on Tuesday but boys played very well, proud of them.
Bus back to hotel and then travel to girls game and also against a Swedish team and what a game we had. 0-0 and we were getting the upper hand and as luck would have it, Bailey got tangled up with their forward outside the box and the ref issued her a red card. Personally, I thought it was harsh but it happens. We buckled down and actually created some chances with 10 players. We were unlucky not to score and then a hand ball on them gave us a PK in the last 5 minutes. Hard to believe but we had trouble finding someone to step up and take it and eventually Nicolette did and hit it over the bar so still tied 0-0. 2 minutes left and they break away and score and we lose 1-0. A great game and girls had some chances against a very good team.
So 2 tough losses and lost both of them late, we need to regroup and get back on track.
We head to Heden to eat lunch and do some shopping and watch games then back to hotel for dinner.
Tonight is one of the best nights on tour as we witness the Gothia Cup Opening Ceremonies and what a spectacle once again. Just tremendous to see what a youth tournament can do. 2 hours of music, dancing, teams marching, and fireworks and what a show.
Every fan needs to watch a World Cup but every player needs to play in the Gothia Cup. This year, 1750 teams from 84 countries and it is known as the Youth World Cup. Such a great experience for these kids.
Hope some of you stayed up to watch our boys game and more will be televised throughout the week. Just check the Gothia Cup web site.
Back to playing games on Tuesday and hopefully we can take the excitement from the ceremonies and wash that bad taste out of our mouths.
Ciao,
Ed
Player of day -
Boys - Patrick Hillyard
Girls - Jordan Perry
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