No adventure ever goes without having some important lesson learned. Some eye-opener ending, some bigger-than-life given message. The Bayern adventure was great itself but looking back and realizing the impact that it had on everyone who was involved, one can finally understand the grandiosity of it all.
On our final day in Northern Ireland, Bayern was finally able to get a tour of the country. Everybody, our boys and the chaperones, headed towards the Giant's Causeway, the eighth wonder of the world. It is a broken and extensive shoreline whose rocks are all flat and hexagonal-shaped and are piled into neat columns. The rocks were made millions of years ago when a volcano exploded and the lava emitted was able to cool down gradually, allowing it to crack evenly like mud and created a stoneway that seems to be reaching towards Scotland. The Irish myth, however, tells of a giant who constructed the Causeway so he could fight a giant in Scotland, and in the end the bridge was broken apart when the Scot ran back home in terror. Everyone that went to the Giant's Causeway was in awe and marveled at one of the wonders of nature.
We also got to visit the town of Bushmills, built in the 16th century and home to the oldest whiskey distillery in the world. We saw the Dunluce Castle ruins that were perched on top of a cliff overlooking the sea. There are no words that could even come close to justify the beauty of the countryside we saw throughout the day. There were overgrown, naturally green (and not the synthetic-looking green we see at home) fields of grass, hedges and some picket fences to separate farm land, hills overlooking the calm ocean, and houses scarcely scattered across the land. The towns were built around trees and all sorts of plants, and not the other way around, giving the overall effect that we had found a part of paradise on earth. I am sure the boys and everyone else felt the same as I did, wishing we could have stayed there longer to breathe the clean, smog-free air and simply look into the distance and feel lucky to be here.
In the evening, we arrived in the city of Broughshane to have dinner with the Councilman, Sandy Wilson, the Town Committee, and our guest of honor, Mr. Jim Weir, Milk Cup Committee Secretary and Northern Ireland Boys' FA. We were greeted with gifts, a homemade banquet, and our very own Broughshane Cheerleaders! Councilman Wilson had been deeply impressed by not only Bayern's performance throughout the tournament, but by our boys' discipline and sportsmanship. They praised our cultural diversity and the respect the boys constantly showed towards the referees, their opponents, the game itself. The dinner went on and speeches were made by Councilman Wilson, who proceeded to explain the significance of the Milk Cup tournament and a brief introduction about the community of Broughshane, within the District of Ballymena. South Coast Bayern has been able to conceive a great relationship with the community of Broughshane because of a shared value-system; values such as humility, respect, discipline, setting goals, and most importantly a sense of community take center stage for both groups of friends. The townspeople of Broughshane take great pride in working to benefit the community, whether it is through beautifying their city through agricultural projects, creating everlasting connections with people from all sorts of places, and thus putting their city on the map. It was inspiring to hear a people's will to become greater than it already is by taking steps to make a difference in the world. This isn't a common thing to see because one can witness in a lifetime individuals and organizations working to benefit others, but rarely does anyone see a town attempting that feat.
We also were very fortunate to have with us Mr. Jimmy Weir who explained that like Broughshane, the Founding Fathers of the Milk Cup strived for the greater good of the People of Northern Ireland. Back in the 1980's, he explained, nobody had even heard of Ballymena and the economy and the people were in desperate need of tourism. So they used the world's sport, football, to attract people from all over the world in the hopes of not only benefiting themselves, but in order to reach out and have everyone involved create memorable experiences and enduring connections. The Milk Cup was born, the first youth football tournament of its kind. At first it interested a mere six teams from bordering counties and nations, and now the tournament has expanded itself to include teams from the five continents in the world. An impressive achievement no doubt, but it is only part of the extraordinary plan to work for the greater good.
This was the big lesson learned, the morale of the story. The boys were moved in being told that working to benefit all will reap more rewards than when individuals look out for only themselves. It wasn't a message that they hadn't heard before, but the way the point was impressed upon them made a world of difference. They took part in an international experience, made connections with peoples from all over the planet, and saw for themselves what the tournament really meant for the people of Broughshane. The Bayern boys saw the longing to explore the world beyond set borders and took it to heart. Had there been a different way to express their thankfulness and appreciation for what Sandy Wilson, Jimmy Weir, Stuarty (our guide), and even Kenny our bus driver had said and done than by applauding, they would have surely done so. They have vowed, however, to tell their story of the Milk Cup and impress their lessons learned on the people back home as a form of gratitude for the gift they have been given. This was the trip of a life time.
Thank you to all who have been keeping up with SC Bayern throughout the Milk Cup. Your support has been and will continue to be appreciated. Until next year!
Start video clip to see the coverage of the Final Match against Manchester United:
Hello to you, our SC Bayern fans!
All throughout this tournament, Bayern has exceeded its given low expectations. The locals, the opposing players, and even a few tournament officials didn't think much of our boys. We were just Yanks testing the waters, seeing if we had a chance to survive, again. And that we did, with style. We have played a game with ten men, we have scored 10 goals and only gave up 3 (not counting the semi's pk's), beat last year's winner Brazil's Fluminense, and got a spot at the finals when we managed to get past twice Milk Cup winners the Hearts of Scotland. And to top it all, we played against the ever popular and famous quad, Manchester United. If anything, Bayern had nothing to lose going into today's final match.
The Manchester United boys were indeed a worthy opponent but nothing our lads couldn't handle. Throughout the whole game, Bayern kept a steady game of possession, and only had to worry about United's set pieces and counterattacks.
First half highlights include Enrique Cardenas taking on four defenders while in the penalty box, and right when he performed the "Maradona" move to the crowd's amusement, the ball was touched away by the last man standing. Goalie Pacheco had several saves, keeping Bayern right alongside Man. U. About ten minutes into the first half, two Man United players, crashed into each other and the center referee called an inaccurate foul on us. A free kick from about 20 yards out by Manchester United resulted in a goal. The kick was perfectly executed - it zoomed just over the wall's head and out of goalie Joey Pacheco's reach. With Manchester United one goal up, our boys did not let up and kept their pressure up. However, it was during the last couple minutes of the half that Bayern received another blow to the stomach. The opposing team received a corner kick and it was cleared out towards an unmarked opponent, who noticed Pacheco was standing a tad bit far from the line and cunningly lofted it over his head. Manchester United, two, Bayern, zero, and soon the referee blew the whistle signaling the half-time break.
During the second-half of the game, forward John Fitzpatrick must have had at least five chances to score. None were free, easy opportunities - he had to turn with a defender on his back, had to dribble around a cloud of red shirts, or had to make headers out of nothing. Midfielders Juan Martinez, Dersu Abolfathi, Sergio Carranza, Hector Lopez and Jacob Barron, played a key part in the great distribution of the ball around the field. Effort after effort went unrewarded and within fifteen minutes into the half, the death blow came upon Bayern's hope. A counterattack - a pass to the inside to a lone striker - a shot from 10 yards away to the near upper v - and the dream for a comeback was done. The dream was done, but the American attack had intensified. Bayern nearly got the consolation goal it sought when Abolfathi shot the ball from 25 yards out, hit the cross bar, and Edward Zepeda, who had just come in as a sub, ran the ball into the goal with his head. After a mild celebration, Zepeda realized the goal was invalidated, as he had been called offside. How? Furthermore, in the last fifteen minutes of the half, Forward Ruben Gonzalez, who also came on as a sub in the second half, was putting a show, as he razz led and dazzled the mighty Man U defenders. He created a few more scoring opportunities up until the very last second of the game. The game ended 3-0, Manchester United.
The feeling of defeat was not so gravely shown among our boys as compared to how other teams we had defeated had shown it. Even as Manchester United took the stage, took the trophy, and were photographed by the media, our boys stood there and watched knowing what they had done had by far surpassed their own goals. Reaching the final, playing against one of the most famous professional youth teams in the world, had just been the cherry on top. Additionally, coming in second place at the Milk Cup has its perks, too. With each victorious game throughout the week, our boys won many admirers who chanted sporadically "USA! USA! USA!", were mobbed by young children asking for photographs and souvenirs of any kind (like their "boots" and jerseys), have been headliners in the sports pages of newspapers, and took part in making history as the first American team to ever reach the finals. What more could our boys have asked for?
Tomorrow we are off to see one of the wonders of the world, The Giant Causeway. After that, your boys will come home and tell you about Ireland and the Milk Cup on their own. See you soon!
Ariadnne Alatriste
Media Coordinator
Thursday, 31 July 2008
Day 8 - Penalty Kicks to Final
Good day to you, our SC Bayern fans!
Not too long ago, someone told me the importance in setting realistic goals and not the vague, it-would-be-nice-if kind. Coach Vishtasp Farhadi had one goal in mind during his return for the Northern Ireland Milk Cup, and that was to be the first-ever American team to play in the finals. Last year's achievements ran so far as tying the legendary Manchester United squad 2-2 in the tournament opener and reaching the quarter-finals. And it is with great joy that I announce to you all THAT WE DID IT! WE HAVE PLAYED THE SEMI'S AND WE HAVE SECURED A SPOT IN THE FINALS! Coach Vishtasp Farhadi and his SC Bayern U-18 team have done what no other American team has ever done, to be cast in the spotlight of European football, at last. In the tournament's 26 years of existence, only a handful of American teams have been honored to be given the chance to compete in the leading youth international football competition, South Coast Bayern being one of those. South Coast Bayern surpassed all expectations: it has outscored, persevered, maintained poise, and it has outlasted the 22 other teams in its pool. Not an easy feat for any team and one can't help but feel an extreme sense of pride when their team is guaranteed to be one of the top 2 teams of the competition.
Today's semi-final game was against the Hearts of Scotland, a professional youth team. All of their lads were at least 5'8 and built like Vikings from what I could see in the stands. The majority of our boys, by comparison, looked small and stringy but equally as capable of making football "magic" happen. At last the game started, to a steady pour of rain and an overwhelming Hearts fan base on the stand. Bayern, of course, only had its chaperones, our group of cheerleaders, and possibly a few other fans, and me.
First-half set the pace of the game. Bayern seemed to be overwhelmed by a combination of a slippery field and professional opponents, and realized early that they would have to defend their goal at whatever cost. It was almost impossible to get near the attacking third, either by ground passes or by winning balls out of the air. Coach V packed our middle with players and left starting forward Enrique Cardenas alone up top, managing to touch the ball only a few times. And then, when I became aware that perhaps this game could be the end of the road for us, disaster struck in the thirteenth minute. Cardenas was being chased toward his own goal and meant to pass it back toward goalie Robbie Gogatz who was a mere twenty yards away. Unfortunately, it wasn't a hard pass and an incoming Hearts forward intercepted it and headed towards our goal. Gogatz came out to the challenge, got dribbled around and was forced to trip the forward in a last ditch effort to stop an imminent goal. The boy fell; the ref mistook Gogatz's foul for captain's Jose Anguiano (who had rushed to aid Gogatz) and was sent off the pitch with a red card. Fortunately, the foul was committed outside the box and Hearts wasted their chance as they flew the ball over the goal. Bayern was doomed to play one man short early into the game and their only hope was to defend until time ran out.
The second-half started and the boys' commitment to staying calm under pressure really came through. They managed to punt a few balls at lone forward John Fitzpatrick, who could do little while being double-teamed. Defenders Juan Martinez, Danny Kohen, Steven Birnbaum, Jaimeson Hearne, and defensive midfield Jacob Barron, deserve to be recognized for their outstanding job for being incredible guard dogs over our goal. It is also important to mention the non-stop effort by our now three midfielders, Dersu Abolfathi, Hector Lopez and Sergio Carranza. Gogatz himself had at least six saves, not including the preoccupying six other corner kicks that were granted to the Hearts. Around the 65th minute, disaster struck again. The center ref awarded Hearts a penalty kick after Kohen slid inside the top of the box to impede his mark from getting a shot on goal. Whether Kohen actually did clip the forward can be disputed, but what is certain is that the fallen boy did exaggerate his trip to clinch the penalty kick. All eyes were on Gogatz, the kick was taken directed low to his near left, and GOGATZ SAVED IT! The crowd applauded and cheered the hardest it had done so throughout the game, marveling at the Bayern goalie's game-saving instinct.
After another fifteen minutes of pure agony and suspense, Bayern managed to end the game scoreless, their only hope for victory now relied on penalty kicks. Hearts was made to go first, Gogatz' came up with two more heart-stopping saves, the opposing keeper had one of his own, and by the time that the last kicker, Martinez, stepped up to the plate the game was riding on him. A loud cheer by the Hearts of Scotland fans rung from the stadium as Martinez sent it flying wide. An announcement then rang through the speakers that the game's winner would be decided in sudden death. A Heart's player sent the ball wide, and immediately all attention shifted onto Bayern's scoring-machine, Fitzpatrick. He stepped back, shot the ball, the ball went left, the goalie went right, and all the boys ran toward Fitzpatrick and the game's MVP, Gogatz, in celebration. The crowd applauded and shouted their congratulations, young boys asked for our lad's autographs, tournament officials congratulated Coach V and our Club Pres. Marissa, and just like that, with a fairytale ending, our realistic goal of playing the semi's had been met and surpassed.
Manchester United went on to defeat Watford FC 4-2 to meet us at the 8:15 pm finals tomorrow. It is the rematch SC Bayern had only hoped to attain. Tomorrow the Bayern boys will step on to the pitch, already winners.
What I forethought to be a tough and grueling match turned out to be one of the best memories that our boys have created here at the Milk Cup! It would be a lie to say that not one SC Bayern player, or staff personnel, marched onto the pitch without feeling nervous. As already said, the famed FC Fluminense, was favored to win the match but nobody considered the raw scoring power that our Bayern boys have within their capabilities.
Starting the first-half, our boys transformed their nerves into guts of steel as they decided to test the Brazilian defense before they had to deal with their offense. It took about fifteen minutes to figure the opponent out before Bayern could effectively start penetrating the attacking third. With the help of our starling Bayern defense - Steven Birnbaum, Jaimeson Hearne, Jose Anguiano, Jacob Barron, Ivan Guzman, Juan Martinez and Danny Kohen - winning crucial headers in the back, the midfield took over and began to deliver balls bound to the corner flags. Around the 23rd minute, midfield Dersu Abolfathi seized one of the few actual chances to score when he received a pass at the top of the eighteen, and blasted a shot over the Brazilian keepers' outstretched arms. The Brazilians, shocked by our American poise, kept attacking seeking the equalizer but were unable to find it as keeper Joey Pacheco was more than equal to their efforts.
Already having found first-hand that the Brazilian hype was overrated compared to our Bayern brilliance, our boys pressed on harder than ever upon FC Fluminense. A second goal by Bayern was added on after Hector Gomez effectively finished the cross from Jonathan Prieto. Bayern didn't wait too long to add up the score, forward John Fitzpatrick found the back of the net twice in the second half, the second from a through ball into the box by Hector Gomez. Few have ever seen Coach Vishtasp Farhadi jump as high while celebrating our boy's sure pass to the semi-finals. Time ticked away on the referee's watch and Fluminense's once cool and dominant composure eroded away. Bayern's spirits were too high late in the second-half to be stiffened when captain Jose Anguiano committed a foul in the box, earning himself a yellow card and a penalty kick for the other team (Brazilian's secured the goal for consolation). The game ended 4-1, Bayern.
We are scheduled to play Hearts tomorrow at 6:00 for a spot at Friday's final match. That final match is within eye-sight, within arm's reach, and our opponent better watch out for the Bayern tidal wave, as its coming right through them!
It is important to note that each and every game that has been played has not been a walk around the park. Our victories have been hard fought, and several of them came at the cost of injuries, clippings, and tackles. No game has ended mentally, before the referee toots that last blow of the whistle. One minor slip up could cost a loss and thus it is with great pleasure that I notify you that our boys came to do the job they set out to do.
Bayern played against Ipswich Town FC. For those who are unfamiliar with this club, Ipswich used to play in the English Premier League a few years back, and since has tried to make a comeback from the minor league. Ipswish were also the Youth FA Cup winners of 2008. Ipswich is thus regarded as one of the strongest competitors of the tournament, a fact proven when the managers, or coaches, from the Manchester United team came to see today's game here at the University of Ulster.
The game started promptly at 3:30. Fans lined the short, metal fences once more as both teams made their way out of the locker rooms and the starting eleven names were announced. With Bayern winning the kick-off, the game was off to a great start with Bayern dominating the pitch 55% to a close 45%. Bayern's first chance to score came in the early minutes of the game, when a cross by Hector Lopez came from the right side and found Enrique Cardenas, who barely missed the goal when he attempted to put the ball over the goalie from the top of the eighteen. Our defense did a fantastic job, following the commanding lead of captain and fellow defender Jose Anguiano. The other center half, Steven Brimbaum won the majority of headers to keep the ball away from our defensive third. Ipswich had several chances to score, creating several chances off crosses and one of which resulted in a well-aimed shot that fortunately hit the far-post. Goalie Robby Gogatz did a fantastic job at keeping the ball from going inside the net, and one of his personal highlights came when one of his punts found Cardenas up top, who out sprinted the defense and buried the ball at the far corner of the goal. Bayern was up 1-0, and managed to hold on for about fifteen minutes until some scrambling inside our box resulted in Ispwich blasting a low ball into our own, far-post to even out the score. Our boys reacted almost immediately, pressuring the opposing goalkeeper with various attempts to gain another goal. Finally, their efforts paid off when a corner quick landed the ball in front of midfielder Juan Martinez, who rocketed it inside the top of the goal.
Second-half was full of unpredictable events for our boys. Bayern immediately widened the gap in the score when forward Dersu Abolfathi found himself alone with a free ball within the 6 yard range, and shot the ball confidently at the far post, out of the goalkeeper's reach. With thirty minutes to go and down 3-1, however, Ipswich made the best of the situation. They kept their heads up and relentlessly tested our defense in the air and at the sides; defenders Brimbaum, Bagheri, Hearne, and Captain Jose Anguiano kept level heads under enormous amounts of pressure. Around the 23rd minute, however, defender Bagheri's temper got the best of him after he felt he had been unreasonably clipped during a challenge and decided to retaliate. He deliberately kicked the opposition from behind as they were getting up. Once the center ref discussed the matter with his assistant, he handed our Bayern lad a straight red card for unsportsmanlike conduct and awarded Ipswich a penalty kick, despite the ball not been anywhere near the eighteen (the place of incident). Ipswich narrowly scored another goal as the ball graced past Gogatz' outstretched fingers. The Bayern lead was reduced to one goal and had to play with a mere ten players. Our boys held on strong despite the sudden turn of events, and kept the ball out of our net at all costs till the game's end, which came out to be 3-2, Bayern.
Our victory had taken a lot out of our boys and although they had won, they were succumbed with fatigue to truly celebrate their advancement into the quarter finals. They patiently waited for Coach V, Assistant Coach Payman, and Club Director Marissa Pena to return from the Drawing Ceremony and were told upon their return that tomorrow's game would only prove to be worse of a battlefield. Bayern is scheduled to play at 7:00 tomorrow evening the famed FC Fluminense, winners of last year's Milk Cup. Wish us luck and strength, as our lads will surely need it.
What a day, what a day! Today we had our opening match against County Fermanagh, a local team from the area. We woke up feeling nervous yet ecstatic about our game, and the boys quickly wolfed down some breakfast before having a quick practice this morning.
At 3:30, a bus took us toward our pitch, which was located near the beach, and once again we saw some amazing scenery of the countryside. The field itself was adequate and had short, wire fencing to keep the spectators at bay so that only the coaching staff and players presided over the field. As we neared the playing time, many locals lined the fence to support their local team, while Bayern's own show of support came from a cheerleading squad we had met at the Milk Cup last year from the nearby village of Broughshane. All eight of the girls came ready with pompons and white Quiksilver shirts provided by SCB. Their presence was greatly appreciated by our boys.
Alright, right to the first-half then. It was quite disappointing to be honest, partly because my expectations were high going into the game. Our boys came out with slow feet and ball-watched the majority of the half. They passed the ball without looking where and that resulted in our poor 40% possession entity. County Fermanagh, on the other hand, was quick, physical, and kept pounding our defense to the point where several saves were required out of our goalkeeper Joey Pacheco. Bayern managed to reach the other team's defensive third only a few times. However, a ray of hope was produced during the middle of the half, midfielder Jon Prieto was able to dribble down the left side of the field and instead of the expected cut-back to his right foot, first-time crossed it to three incoming forwards. At the far-post, Ruben Gonzales perfectly timed his run and headed the ball low towards Enrique Cardenas who slid it in. Bayern went up 1-0 and allowed our boys, as well as the coaches, to breathe a little easier.
Whether the boys finally became used the expected level of play, gathered confidence, or were given great words of inspiration remains a mystery as Bayern came out and played as a completely different second-half. We kept possession, were quicker than the opponents, played attractive football, and had the County Fermanagh trying to clear balls out of their defensive third most of the time. At the peak of our momentum came the relief Bayern was looking for: forward John "Fitzy" Fitzpatrick passed the ball to outside Sergio Caranzza, who dribbled across the eighteen and shot a low ball at the far side-netting, perfectly positioning the ball to allow no chance for the opposing goalkeeper to make a save. County Fermanagh's fans were silenced into shock, as our cheers sang loudly in the air. Not too soon after, however, the opposing team had a chance when their left midfielder took a free rocket of a shot from about 30 yards out, forcing goalkeeper Pacheco to fly through the air and punch away the ball that was sure to go into the far upper-v. Pacheco received great applause for his impressive save by everyone watching the game. In the last ten minutes, forward Fitzpatrick claimed a goal for his own after having his own shot blocked and rebounded back to him, which he buried in the top left-center part of the net. The game ended with an impressive 3-0 Bayern win.
We ended our day by attending the US U-20 National Team versus the Ireland U-20 National Team at the Corelaine FC Stadium. The US was defeated 3-1 in the first leg of the competition.
Tomorrow's game will take place here at the University of Ulster at 3:30. If our lads keep their heads up and play their game, and not their opponents, they'll be sure to gain another win. Wish us luck!
Ariadnne Alatriste Media Coordinator
Sunday, 27 July 2008
Day 4 - Opening Ceremonies
Good day to you, SC Bayern fans!
Today we finally set off towards Corelaine, Northern Ireland, where the Milk Cup will take place! We took a four hour drive up north, all the while had amazing scenery to keep us entertained. Those of us, players and chaperones alike, who stayed awake during the trip, got to see the great countryside that Ireland has to offer. There was farmland everywhere; houses, villages, and all kinds of trees sparsely populated the land amid overgrown hedges, trimmed grassland, swaying wheat grass, yellow flowers and violet tulips, and a variety of farm animals grazed the land beneath a pale, blue sky. We saw goats, sheep, horses, cows, bulls, and, as we should have, fish beneath the several lakes and ponds we also saw along the way. As we passed the Northern Ireland border, the landscape only became more of an Irish paradise.
In any case, we arrived at the University of Ulster around three o'clock and the players were given their room assignments. Soon after, the players found the lunch corridor and feasted upon huge plates of complementary food even though they had already eaten twice until then.
The highlight of our day had to be, of course, the opening ceremony of the Milk Cup. All competing teams gathered at an empty lot, some of them carrying flags from their pertaining countries but all of them wearing expressions of impending excitement. Our Bayern boys got to see for the first time what the competition looked like. big, burly, and professional-looking. Each team was given their own poster girl, who would parade in front of their team with the team's name printed up on the sign. While different kinds of bands prepared themselves to march at the parade, our boys got to experience children coming up to them and asking them for their autographs. No doubt this experience alone will be engraved into their memories for a long time!
At last, the parade got underway once all teams were assembled to begin. Bayern was assigned to parade behind a Scottish marching band, which banged on their drums and played the bagpipes all throughout the half-mile march while in their famed Scottish quilts! Teams from diverse places in the world marched toward the destined stadium to the delight of just about every Belfast villager there. The onlookers took pictures, asked for souvenirs and autographs, and applauded and cheered as the players passed by the decorated streets of Belfast. At the stadium, each team's name, nationality, and historical attendance within the Milk Cup was individually announced to crowded stands of people. There were teams from New Zealand, Wales, Mexico, Chile, Argentina, Israel, Germany, England, Scotland, Ireland, and from other places in Europe. Easily recognizable names drew the crowd's attention, such as that of the US U-20 National Team's, Manchester United's and Chelsea's selection. And to top it all, a special appearance by famed Manchester United player, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer! The Norwegian native made his debut after being signed into the Red Devils as an unknown and scored near 130 goals in his three hundred-or-so appearances as a mere substitute!
We are now back at our dorms awaiting the pizza man to come and feed our apparently "starving" players. Everyone is excited for tomorrow's opening five o'clock match against Co. Fermanagh from Northern Ireland.
We'll be sure to let you know how it turns out, but as the boys aim to make it to the finals you should all count on a win.
The importance of making connections with anyone should never be underestimated. Today, our bus driver initiated us on an excellent adventure when he suggested we visit the famed Sacred Hearts Fields, an Irish Football Club where he coaches and used to play. These fields are located up on a hill that overlooks the beautiful valley of Tallaghe, where a famed players such as Manchester United's Roy Keane, Manchester City's Richard Dunne and Robbie Keane of Tottenham Hotspurs are said to live. The place is brand new and has caused such admiration that the Shamrock Rovers decided to lease it and use it as their own home fields for the moment.
Afterward, the team traveled to the Home Farm fields where they faced-off in another Friendly against Home Farm Football Club. Although Home Farm proved to be a more physical opponent than the Shamrock Rovers, Bayern managed to maintain possession of the ball 65% of the time. First half highlights include 20 minutes into the game, a long throw-in by Daniel Kohen finding forward, John Fitzpatrick, who had a defender on his back but leaned onto him while he chested the ball down and smacked it into the upper "v", near post, while in the 6 yard box. Five minutes later, midfielder Dersu Abolfathi put a well-timed ball through to John Prieto; Prieto laid it softly into the side-netting. Bayern had many more chances, but all were missed as the team went into the second-half winning two to nil.
The second half was drenched with Bayern action and dominance. Seven minutes in, Hector Lopez put through another ball to Prieto, who blasted it into the net from twelve yards out. Prieto completed his hat trick soon after when he managed to bend the ball into the far post from a corner kick. The Home Farm resiliency, however, paid off towards the end when Bayern lost a ball in the midfield. A Home Farm midfielder chipped the ball over our defense towards an incoming forward, and goalie Robbie Gogatz dashed out to clear it out but unfortunately hit a nearby Bayern defender, reflecting the ball past Gogatz. The Home Farm forward needn't have to do anything except tap the ball in. Bayern immediately responded to the mishap and further demoralized the opposing team when Abolfathi put a through ball to Fitzpatrick and on a first-time, left-footed shot put another goal low into the far side-net. With five minutes left into the game, a goalless and frustrated midfielder Sergio Carranza, received a ball from 30 yards away from the goal, took on four players, set up the ball to his left and shot it into the near upper "v" to end the game 6-1, Bayern.
At the end of the match, Bayern was invited into the Home Farm Clubhouse where they were offered sandwiches, drinks, and a tour of the nostalgic, 80 year-old club's memorabilia. From walls dedicated to the fallen, Liam Wheeler at 22 years old, a Man United player who lost his life during the 1955 airplane crash where the team was to match-up against Bayern Munich, to endless trophies and plaques dedicated to the Club's many victories. An added touch is the new-leather couch custom made for the club in home colors, royal blue and white. Undoubtedly, beautiful green fields, expressive Irish players and professional settings are adding to the Bayern Boy's expectations of what they are to experience tomorrow as we finally head for Ulster University, home of the Milk Cup in Coleraine, Ireland.
G'night!
Ariadnne Alatriste Media Coordinator
Friday, 25 July 2008
Day 2 - Shamrock Rover Friendly
Hello, our fellow SC Bayern fans!
Our day started bright and early this morning when Coach V scheduled a quick practice at eight to get the players to stretch out and get moving with the ball again. Players and chaperones alike were still trying to get used to the change in time but a full night's rest enabled us all to be quick and alert. Afterward, we all headed towards our now favorite local mall for some breakfast. McDonald's is now our top restaurant to satisfy all our breakfast, lunch, and dinner hunger pangs.
With the upcoming afternoon, friendly match against the Shamrock Rovers, Coach V felt it was necessary for the boys to "take it easy" and relax inside the hotel until we parted towards the field. Hence, at four thirty pm the team packed itself into our bus and made their way deep within Dublin. The boys got to see parts of the city along the way, such as the world renowned Guinness factory and many of the outdoor art sculptures - some of which were so abstract that even our driver had difficulty explaining the majesty behind them! Now that's art!
We finally arrived at the field that greatly resembled a simple high school soccer field. The grass was overgrown and damp and it impeded having all required lines to be drawn upon it. It was the first time that many, I am sure, have played a soccer field that did not have a goalie box. However, both teams upheld their sportsmanship magnificently and did not cheat each other out in any manner regarding the situation. The game itself was refereed by a professional woman referee. She had recently been working at the Friendlies for the national women's teams at which Abby Wambach, the US team's star forward, suffered a broken tibia against Norway and thus won't participate in this year's Olympic Games. Our referee, in any case, was impartial, fair, and assertive and took complete control of the game despite not having any side refs to assist her.
The game itself was amazing. Within the first ten minutes of the first-half, Hector Gomez pressured the Shamrock Rover's sweeper into passing back the ball to the goalie who blundered the pass back and allowed Hector to volley the ball in for an easy opener goal. Bayern created many more opportunities and had at least three corner kicks in their favor, however the resilient Irish defense kept them at bay until the half ended. With Bayern having possession of the ball 60% of the time, and the defense having little work to do besides requiring one outstanding save by our first-half keeper, Joey Pacheco, produced during a Rover's corner kick, our boys entered the second-half feeling confident.
Second-half highlights include the Bayern defense being almost impenetrable. Our second-half goalie, Robbie Gogatz, may have only touched the ball a few times, one of which he made a risky save when the Shamrock Rover's attempted to put a through ball past our defense; he was forced to dash to the top of our imaginary eighteen yard box and punch out the incoming ball before the opposing forward had a chance to flick it past him. Moreover, forward John Fitzpatrick, Fitzy, received a yellow card for unsportsmanlike conduct after a sarcastic comment directed at the ref, and seven minutes later midfielder Dersu Abolfathi received one of his own after trying to excuse himself for tackling a player from behind. Abolfathi made up for his blunder soon afterward when he received a pass at the left side of the 2nd third and dribbled inward, pulling numerous defenders. He then gave the unmarked outside-left a perfect diagonal ball, who upon receiving it crossed it towards the far post. A defender accidentally volleyed it in past the keeper in an attempt to clear the ball. The game ended 2 -0, Bayern.
Just as exciting as our boys' first match was the opportunity to go watch a game between the Shamrock Rovers Sr. Team and Sligo Rovers at nearby Tolka Park Stadium. The team got to experience what it is like to be part of a rowdy, football-crazed Irish crowd. At half-time, SC Bayern players took the pitch and they were announced by a Shamrock Rovers representative as a football team all the way from the United States. As the team was introduced and as it was taken its picture, spectators applauded them and cheered them on. No doubt that the picture taken with the team, Coach V, and Club President Marissa Pena is going to be framed as soon as they get home! Alas, our day ended after the match (1-0 Shamrock Rovers) and all the hungry-stricken players and chaperones made their way back to our one and favorite mall to feast upon well-deserved pizzas.
Now we are back at the hotel and look forward to tomorrow's possible tour of Dublin and our friendly match against a stronger side, Home Farm FC. G'night Bayern fans!
After a long and grueling ten hour flight to Dublin, we finally landed in the land of the leprechauns. The boys, all eighteen of them, were astoundingly not as sleep-deprived as forethought but instead overwhelmed by hunger. They contrasted the tired chaperoning adults whose bleary, red eyes gave away their weariness.
We are now residing at the Clarion Hotel of Dublin in Liffey Valley. It is a modern and beautiful hotel where we are given a great view of numerous green grass fields that surround the area, the overcast sky that does not darken until past ten at night, and the always-intriguing opposite road ways.
Upon arrival to our homestead, the players were given a quick talk about the expected do's and don'ts, such as the uniform dress code, the maintenance of their rooms, and the no-wandering-by-themselves rule. The boys then made their way to the local mall to eat at the food court. Later, they met at a nearby field and stretched, loosening their muscles and muttering about their felt excitement about their scrimmage tomorrow.
We are due to play against the Shamrock Rovers, a home team, at six o'clock tomorrow afternoon. It should be an exciting match that is bound to teach the boys about the level of play to be experienced at the Milk Cup.
What an exciting opportunity these boys have been given to play "football" in an international arena and to be amongst peoples from all over the world! Although we are thousands and thousands of miles away from home, your continued support will be felt and appreciated by our SC Bayern team so please do continue lending it to us.
Keep checking back to the website for more team news, and as here in Ireland they say in their rapid, almost incomprehensible accent . G'night!
