A Norwich Academy Under-12 Squad travelled to Belgium to take part in a tournament staged by Belgium third division club Eendracht Aalst on May 1st. The tournament was staged at the training ground of the club who were reformed in 2002 after going into liquidation and have since been trying to get back up the leagues. In the end two penalty shoot-out defeats were decisive in condemning City to 8th place in the tournament when they could have finished much higher up the leader board. City’s first task was in win group games against Torhout and AFC Tubize. The tournament started well with a 3-0 win against Torhout, a club whose senior side also play in the Belgian Third Division. It was a deserved victory and indeed Norwich could have scored more goals in the 25 minute match. Photos from match v Torhout.

Photos from match v Torhout

One hour later AFC Tubize (Belgian Second Division) proved stiffer opposition. The Norwich defence was rarely in trouble but few chances were created up front and the match ended 0-0. Photos from the match v Tubize.

Photos from the match v Tubize

The two results were nevertheless enough to give Norwich first place in the group and set up a quarter-final against Belgian Juliper League club Anderlecht. Despite having to change ends and play up the hill, the Canaries controlled the game and had several chances to claim their place in the semi-finals, one effort in particular hitting a post. In the end the game finished 0-0 and although City scored a very assured first penalty they went on to lose the penalty shoot-out 2-1. Photos from the match v Anderlecht.

Photos from the match v Anderlecht

The disappointment was clear to see in the faces of the coaches and players but there was little time to worry with a play-off match on the agenda against Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven. Preparation for the match on a very narrow and muddy pitch was hindered by a downpour and hailstorm before the sun came out again as the match started. City started the match well and went 1-0 up before letting PSV back into the game and as time wore on the inevitable equaliser fell to send this match into a penalty shoot-out. Norwich were clearly lacking in confidence and lost the shoot-out 2-0. Photos from the match v PSV Eindhoven.

Photos from the match v PSV Eindhoven

The result meant that Norwich were again to face AFC Tubize in the play-off for 7th Place. With City tiring as they started their third hour of football in the day the match was lost 1-0 and City took 8th place in the competition Photos from the match v Tubize. The squad had acquitted themselves well and a different result in a close match against Anderlecht would have seen their competition take a different course. Before flying back on Friday 2nd May the squad had the chance of some light exercise in the form of “Football Rounders” and a walk around the town centre of Aalst. Photos from Friday.

Photos from Friday

As always the young squad was well behaved and a credit to Norwich City Football Club. They certainly will have gained a lot from the experience of travelling to such a competition at a young age.

City Squad: Joe Burgess, Ben Wyatt, Josh Ramm, Kieran Hunt, Luke Gray, Tom Farrow, Jordan Nicholls, Joe McCabe, Sam McDermid, Ray Grant, Charlie Clarke, Jack Maine, Toby Hooper, Dion Faray, Joe Gill, Danny Rogers. Staff: John Revell (Coach), Dougie Evans (Coach), Dean Rastrick (Assistant Academy Manager), Colin Watts (Youth Development Officer), Chris Gilbert (Physio).

Date Opponents Result Scorers 1st May Torhout 3-0 Jack Maine 2, Ben Wyatt 1st May AFC Tubize 0-0   1st May Anderlecht (Quarter-final) 0-0 1-2 (pens)   1st May PSV Eindhoven (Play-off) 1-1 0-2 (pens) Joe Gill 1st May AFC Tubize (7th Place) 0-1   Report and Photos from Paul Standley.