By Bella Dowling
Two Christchurch United sides have returned from the Mediterranean International Cup (MIC) in Spain after claiming 16th place from 64 international entries.
The club’s U-18 side ranked second in their category behind Spain’s Real Sociedad, with two wins, two draws and one loss.
Main photo: The Christchurch United U-18 squad. Photo credit: Glen Counsell.
And while the U-13 team were unable to score a win, they brought persistence to their games and developed a wealth of new skills.
The tournament was held at 46 different venues in the city of Girona, staging 900 games over four consecutive days.
U-13s coach James Malthus said the first day was tough and really challenged his boys.
“The speed of everything, the pressing intensity, the organisation and the attitudes of the [opposing] teams was dialled up. It was just an intensity we’re not used to — but I was really proud and happy with the way we learned from that game.”
Parent Dawn Newman said the club were expecting the MIC to be a “very much underdog kind of experience,” but “the boys rose to the challenge; they stepped up and found that they could compete at that kind of high level.”
The U-13s game against England’s Crystal Palace, their highest-profile competition within the MIC, turned out to be “a great experience,” said midfielder Ali Sina Salehi.
Though they were unable to gain a win, ending with a 7-2 loss against Crystal Palace, they succeeded in developing their technical skills and teamwork.
The Christchurch United U-13s. Photo credit: MIC Football.
For the U-18s, their first match ended in a 3-0 win, which was the payoff for their hard training.
The boys scored within the first two minutes, bringing a newfound confidence to their game.
“That was probably the most I’ve celebrated a goal,” U-18 midfielder Sena Vesty said.
“Although I felt nervous — I think everyone felt nervous — we knew that we might as well just give it everything we got. We have nothing to hold back. Just try our best, and then try even harder.”
Parent Nicola Young said: “To be able to witness how the boys developed in five short days felt like a privilege. It’s hard to try and verbalise the feeling of how amazing the tournament was … it was and will be a memorable lifetime experience.”
Real Sociedad were expected to be the U-18s’ biggest competitor, with a premier league title and a reputation for discipline on the field.
United U-18 striker Waisea Henry said there was a big focus on hype before the game, the boys trying to forget they were “just a small team from Christchurch.”
“I think hope was one of the main things that helped us play as well — we were helluva determined to win.”
The Christchurch United U-13s. Photo credit: MIC Football.
For the U-18s, their first match ended in a 3-0 win, which was the payoff for their hard training.
The boys scored within the first two minutes, bringing a newfound confidence to their game.
“That was probably the most I’ve celebrated a goal,” U-18 midfielder Sena Vesty said.
“Although I felt nervous — I think everyone felt nervous — we knew that we might as well just give it everything we got. We have nothing to hold back. Just try our best, and then try even harder.”
Parent Nicola Young said: “To be able to witness how the boys developed in five short days felt like a privilege. It’s hard to try and verbalise the feeling of how amazing the tournament was … it was and will be a memorable lifetime experience.”
Real Sociedad were expected to be the U-18s’ biggest competitor, with a premier league title and a reputation for discipline on the field.
United U-18 striker Waisea Henry said there was a big focus on hype before the game, the boys trying to forget they were “just a small team from Christchurch.”
“I think hope was one of the main things that helped us play as well — we were helluva determined to win.”
For the U-18s, their first match ended in a 3-0 win, which was the payoff for their hard training.
The boys scored within the first two minutes, bringing a newfound confidence to their game.
“That was probably the most I’ve celebrated a goal,” U-18 midfielder Sena Vesty said.
“Although I felt nervous — I think everyone felt nervous — we knew that we might as well just give it everything we got. We have nothing to hold back. Just try our best, and then try even harder.”
Parent Nicola Young said: “To be able to witness how the boys developed in five short days felt like a privilege. It’s hard to try and verbalise the feeling of how amazing the tournament was … it was and will be a memorable lifetime experience.”
Real Sociedad were expected to be the U-18s’ biggest competitor, with a premier league title and a reputation for discipline on the field.
United U-18 striker Waisea Henry said there was a big focus on hype before the game, the boys trying to forget they were “just a small team from Christchurch.”
“I think hope was one of the main things that helped us play as well — we were helluva determined to win.”
The Christchurch United U-13s. Photo credit: MIC Football.
For the U-18s, their first match ended in a 3-0 win, which was the payoff for their hard training.
The boys scored within the first two minutes, bringing a newfound confidence to their game.
“That was probably the most I’ve celebrated a goal,” U-18 midfielder Sena Vesty said.
“Although I felt nervous — I think everyone felt nervous — we knew that we might as well just give it everything we got. We have nothing to hold back. Just try our best, and then try even harder.”
Parent Nicola Young said: “To be able to witness how the boys developed in five short days felt like a privilege. It’s hard to try and verbalise the feeling of how amazing the tournament was … it was and will be a memorable lifetime experience.”
Real Sociedad were expected to be the U-18s’ biggest competitor, with a premier league title and a reputation for discipline on the field.
United U-18 striker Waisea Henry said there was a big focus on hype before the game, the boys trying to forget they were “just a small team from Christchurch.”
“I think hope was one of the main things that helped us play as well — we were helluva determined to win.”
Chris Greatholder … Ready for the challenge to raise standards. Photo credit: Glenn Counsell
Despite the 1–nil loss, U-18s coach Chris Greatholder said he was proud of what the team had achieved.
“The challenge now, for us, is to come back and push and drive to not drop our standard back to what it was. We’ve got to raise above that and keep striving to replicate that environment.”
Despite the 1–nil loss, U-18s coach Chris Greatholder said he was proud of what the team had achieved.
“The challenge now, for us, is to come back and push and drive to not drop our standard back to what it was. We’ve got to raise above that and keep striving to replicate that environment.”
