JERSEY’S junior football continues to flourish following a best ever showing in the annual Mondial Pupilles de Plomelin tournament played in France.
The JFA Capital Centre of Excellent Year-7 group qualified from their group for the first time before losing in their last 16 knock-out match 2-0 to FC Bruges at Douarnenez in Brittany.
But the Jersey lads can hold their heads up having given an excellent account of themselves and in one match in intimidating circumstances.
Centre coach Simon Moiani, who was assisted by Billy McEwan and Steve Proffitt, said: ‘The boys have been fantastic.
We qualified from our group with two further wins and a draw on Saturday after beating Brazil’s Lideranca 3-0, EA Guingamp 1-0 and then drawing 0-0 with Quimper.
‘The biggest test was the Guingamp game, the French professional club wanted to win at all costs and it was very intimidating for our players.
‘Nick Carpenter put us ahead inside 30 seconds and after that it was a battle as the French players kicked and punched out players off the ball.
There was a lot of pushing and shoving going on off the ball too.
‘I told our lads to keep their composure and not to get involved and I can honestly say they did what was asked.
‘Everyone’s attitude and commitment has been first class throughout the week.
It’s been a learning curve in the players’ development and this is what this tournament is all about for Jersey’s players.
‘All the teams who reach the top 16 are the ones who go to win the tournament so to get to that stage is an unbelievable achievement from this group.’ Jersey were down to just two substitutes for their final game against Bordeaux - the last 16 beaten sides play in a plate tournament - because of injuries to Sam Crabtree (knee ligaments), Calvin Weir (broken wrist) and John Tardivel (heavy bruising).
Bordeaux won 1-0 with the goal scored following a debatable penalty decision.
Tardivel scored a brace against Brazilian’s Lideranca - Marco Zocchi got the other - to finish with six goals in the tournament.
The Jersey squad returned with four trophies from the week-long tournament, Tardivel as leading scorer in the groups, best attacking side after scoring 15 goals in their group, one for reaching the last 16 and the other for placing second in their group.
Squad: Nick Carpenter, Norman Carrol, Sam Crabtree, Ryan Le Couteur, Marc McCain, Jamie Mourant, Charlie Petulla, Matthew Rondel, Richard Streets, John Tardivel, Callum Tingley, Calvin Weir, Marco Zocchi, Calvin Haycock, Jack Hinton and William Humphrey.
Article posted on 21st May, 2007 - 12.00am
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