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U.S. U17 National Team opens Ballymena Tournament with 1-0 win over Belgium - Report from Northern Ireland
John Ellinger’s U17 National troops recorded a victory in their opening match of the 2004 Ballymena Tournament against Belgium - but owe a huge debt of gratitude to goalkeeper Bryant Rueckner.
The PSG (California) stopper saved a last-gasp penalty to ensure that the US - the better team on the night - took all three points, earning their first international victory.
The Americans began brightly and were unlucky not to open the scoring in the seventh minute. Carlos Borja showed great vision to release Amaechi Igwe on the left flank who crossed for Preston Zimmerman. Despite the close attention of a couple of Belgian defenders, Zimmermann managed to send the ball goalward, only to see his effort rebound back off the upright with goalkeeper Bolat beaten.
Igwe was involved in the US’s next positive attacking move eight minutes later, dribbling purposefully forward before finding Quavas Kirk with a neat pass. Kirk, in turn, laid the ball into the path of Richard Edgar, but his shot from 25 yards was easily held by the goalkeeper.
Zimmermann was proving to be a handful for the Belgian backline, and, from a corner which was won due to his determination on the right wing, the Crossfire Premier striker had a shot cleared off the line.
For more than a quarter of an hour, Rueckner had been little more than a spectator, but a mistake on 18 minutes almost cost his side dearly. In a rare foray forward, the Belgians won a corner which was taken long to the far post. Rueckner, perhaps in a bid to involve himself more in the game, came to collect the ball and missed it completely, but, fortunately for the US, Elio Balbi was unable to punish the error and headed wide.
Encouraged by this effort, the Belgians began to apply more pressure and carved out a decent opening in the 26th minute. The ball was worked down the right flank and was crossed to Zigi Arras, who, worryingly, was left unmarked 18 yards from goal. His first time shot, however, lacked power and Reuckner gathered the ball easily.
The U.S. regrouped and finished the half the stronger side, but despite further efforts from Ryan Soroka and Edgar, they had to make do with being on level terms at the half-time interval.
The opening minutes of the second period were largely without incident, save for a highly ambitious 35 yard strike from Balbi which bobbled harmlessly wide of Reuckner’s left hand post. The States, however, took a well deserved lead 12 minutes into the half, with a textbook goal of beautiful simplicity.
Igwe, who had gone close with a header only a few minutes previously, won a throw-in on the left hand side which he took quickly. Zimmermann took possession of the ball, bustled his way past a defender and made for the by-line, from where he cut back a wonderful left-footed cross which was slammed home by the on-rushing Soroka.
The Belgians knew that they had to go forward in search of an equaliser and attempted to lay siege to the US goal. However, Michael Balogan and Ofori Sarkodie remained solid in defence, marshalled ably by Eric Lichaj. Belgian substitute Dimitri Billiet almost took advantage of a miscommunication between Rueckner and his backline, but when presented with an opportunity he shot weakly at the US ‘keeper.
Shortly after, and in the dying minutes, the Americans very nearly ruined all their previous good work. After an excellent run and cross by Vitorio Villano, Billiet was hauled down by Sarkodie, a rare aberration on his part which left the referee with no choice but to award a penalty kick. Arras’s spot-kick was well saved by Rueckner, diving low to his left, though for one horrible moment it seemed that one of the two Belgian attackers bearing down on the rebound were sure to bundle the ball into the back of the net. However, Rueckner reacted quickly to smother the loose ball and effectively deny Belgium a share of the points.
Speaking after the game, Ellinger said he was delighted with his team’s fighting spirit and with the concentration levels shown by his players.
“I’m glad that our guys stepped up a little bit in the second half, and battled a little bit more. We played a tournament in France earlier in the month and we were unlucky at the end of each game,"he said. "We would be playing well but then make one or two mistakes which cost us the game, and we did that again here by giving away the penalty kick. But, mentally, I think we’ve made some gains because we’ve got through it here today, we’ve won the game and now we can build on that.”
:danc:
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