The U13s beat RC Mons 1-0 in their morning match in Brittany, with Harry Watkins again on target.
But, on a high after that result, the youngsters from the JFA/ Lloyds TSB Centre of Excellence then crashed to a 5-0 defeat – to mighty Anderlecht, winners of last year’s Mondial Pupilles mini-World Cup tournament.
‘Anderlecht were very strong; they are group leaders and last year’s champions,’ said football development officer Brian Oliver.
‘To be fair, we were beaten by a better team.
But I think the result we got against Mons contributed to our downfall.
The lads were very pleased to have beaten Mons – who are part of a professional club – and maybe they started to think that perhaps they were a bit better than they are!’ Oliver said that the Jersey youngsters had played well against Mons, despite considerable pressure from a physically bigger side.
When it came to Anderlecht, Jersey fought hard when they started to feel the pressure and were just 1-0 down at the break.
But four goals put past them in the second half, among them a penalty, put the reigning champions out of Jersey’s reach.
Disappointed ‘The lads were very disappointed.
As I told them, Anderlecht were the better team – but they weren’t five goals better,’ Oliver said.
But, he said, they learned from the second game – and the learning process is the reason for them being at the tournament in the first place.
Jersey take on Bordeaux and Réunion this afternoon, and Oliver is optimistic that the boys will play well – although both their opposing teams are physically stronger again.
‘The kids have done very much better than I’d hoped they might.
They are the youngest squad I’ve taken to this competition.
If they finish in the top half of their group I’ll be very pleased,’ he said.
It hasn’t been all football for the boys though.
They were taken to visit a water park yesterday afternoon to enjoy another opportunity to work off their excess energy.
