By Tom Burton
Kinetic players have hailed a ‘great experience’ as they topped their Gothia Cup group, won four of six matches, and were only edged out on sudden-death penalties in the last 16.
The Croydoners did not lose in normal time all tournament and coaches ranked the U16 squad’s performance among the best they have seen since Kinetic began sending teams to the international youth tournament in Sweden.
An emphatic 3-0 victory over Swedish side AIK FF kicked off the tournament in style. A 1-1 draw with American club St Paul Blackhawks was then followed by a 2-0 win over Hif/Stein HFK which meant Kinetic topped the group.
Prolific striker Jack Sims, who scored four in six games, said: “It’s a week where you get to see many different cultures and styles of play from countries across the world but it’s also a week which challenges you physically and mentally. Overall it is a great experience to be a part of.”
Play-off victories over AFK Linkoping and Phoenix put Kinetic in the last 16 but the lottery of penalties, after a 1-1 with a strong Mjallby AIF, stopped Kinetic from progressing to the quarter-finals.
Kinetic were just moments from the final eight when they conceded the equaliser late on and they had a penalty to win it as the shootout went to sudden-death. But it was the Swedish side who progressed 8-7 on penalties.
Left-back Dan Russell said: “I reflect on the tournament as a great experience that challenges both your footballing talents and your character.”
Cameron Mitchell Willoughby said: “It was a great experience and a real mental-aspect tester. You get to see different styles of play from all around the world but it’s about sharing the passion we all love.”