Gonzalo made a brilliant double save to keep Real Madrid hopes alive as they trailed in the second half of the final of the 2018 La Liga Promises Under 12’s Tournament in Tenerife. Then in a penalty shoot out his two stops were vital. In between, Pisoni, the Inter Milan stopper failed to hold a late shot, allowing Jacobo to force an extra five minutes, followed by penalties. Pisoni was voted best goalie of the tournament, and Gonzalo ended in tears of joy as his team lifted the trophy. What emotion, what drama, and what a pleasure to see so many young players who will ensure the beautiful game has a rich future.
Three days with 16 teams from six different countries produced plenty to admire at the Estadio Antonio Dominguez Stadium in Playa de Las Americas. The four qualifying groups started it off with games of 12 minutes each way on the half sized pitch. Abu Dhabi Sports Council were the unknown quantity, they leaked a lot of goals as did my home side CD Tenerife, and island neighbours UD Las Palmas, all three couldn´t get through the first stage but will have learnt from their experience.
Villareal, and Espanyol looked good as they cruised over the first hurdles, they played hard, and like all the squads they rotated their bench to keep their seven on pitch players fresh. With the world watching via TV, personal sportsmanship was impeccable from all quarters, they even looked cool and mature when interviewed at pitch side. Looking at some of the coverage on the giant screen, I have to say the Tenerife setting was a pretty impressive backdrop. At that age the players develop at different rates so there were fascinating contrasts between powerful big lads, and smaller, nippy players with a lower centre of gravity. Football is a great leveller, a Real Betis player wore glasses, not a common sight in football, but he was one of their best performers.
By the night of the final, it was now 20 minutes a half, with the added pressure of a peak crowd of 5,000 fans, quite a test of nerves. Inter Milan came out stronger, Michele Scienza scored after three minutes with a clever looped shot, after going close just before. Milan played a holding game that took the sting out of Madrid but that changed in the second half as Milan tired and Madrid opened up their defence. Pisoni and Gonzalo both seemed to have an extra pair of hands as they produced a string of top saves. The seconds were ticking down when a soft shot was like a hot potato to Pisoni and Jacobo buried the ball past him with a powerful header with seconds to spare. Five minutes extra play couldn´t separate the teams and penalties were indicated. It was even at a spot kick success each when Gonzalo saved from Inter, and his team mate Pablo stroked home the clincher.
Both sides had given everything and emotions flowed, Milan were gracious in defeat and quick to congratulate the winners. Winning coach Juanjo Crespo and his players shed more tears as they paraded the trophy and their individual medals. Real Madrid dominated the early days of the tournament, they racked up six wins but the latest was even sweeter for the 16 year wait.