Blue Magic 8 v 3 East Coast
A Luke Foster hat-rick was not enough to save East Coast from defeat. Having taken on FIA Futsal finalists in Tallaght, Coast held 1 v 1 at half time. The second half was also a close affair until the last 8 minutes. Having just made it 4 v 3 the visitors crumbled in the latter stages conceding 4 goals in 5 minutes.
Foster become the first player abroad to hit 3 goals, his finishing & skill shining throughout.
A disappointing end but with only 6 fully fit and captain Brewster Frizzell recovering from flu, plus the journey it was a brave effort none the less!
Lifford FC 6 v 3 East Coast
An hour later and another game but this time the young East yorkshire team gave the brazilians a real scare.
County Clare champions Lifford took the lead after 5 mins but 2 quality strikes from 16 yr old Kieran Link, and a screamer from Frizzell handed the team a 1 v 3 advantage at half time.
Again though pressure told and after 10 mins in the second half Lifford struck, and made their possession count with well taken goals and very slick passing.
2 Great teams to play and one more to come, Dublin Santos Monday @ 8pm.
Dublin Santos 1 v 2 East Coast
East Coast produced a battling performance to win for the first time on tour. Having played 2 games the previous day it was going to be tough for the 7 that travelled, however the team put into practiced what they had learnt from the previous nights international games to stun Santos.
Coast started well containing Santos giving few chances away and this paid dividends as Foster broke and hit a low shot under the Santos keeper.
Keeper Van Heerden then made a brilliant one handed save to deny the home team. At half time a few words of encouragement from Ireland coach Stephen Finn helped focus the team, and after a few near misses Foster broke and put in Christlow at the back post for a tap in.
Almost immediately Santos hit back and it was then all Santos pressure in the last 5 minutes. Player manager Brennan cleared off the line with 1 minute left and eventually the referee blew the final whistle on what was a great tour for the team.
Overall
The team has shown massive progress over the last year. Having been so close in all 3 games, never behind at half time, showed that the team can compete at a high level.
17 year old Foster ended with 4 goals, Nick Van Heerden is looking a better keeper all the time and Josh Christlow is growing into the game more and more he is looking a great player.
Thanks again to Blue Magic, Lifford FC & Dublin Santos plus a big thakyou to Ireland Futsal & Stephen Finn for the match organisation and tickets to the international games.
