VA ODP Boys, Days 4 to 6: Bienvenue à Marseille

VA ODP Boys in Marseille

Day 4-After a hearty breakfast and one hour training session, the boys got the opportunity to walk through the old, walled city of Perpagnin to explore and buy gifts for back home. After lunch it was on to the Spanish town of Peralada for their 2nd match. 

The 01's took the field first and were rewarded for their efforts with a 2-0 victory. Emerson Kuzemka, in the 21st minute and AJ Cousins, in the 68th minute, found the back of the net for the visitors with two quality goals from a nice build up.

In the 2nd match the 2000's played a much better game than the first one as they hung on for a 2-1 victory. Scott Signorelli on a solo effort, in the 33rd minute, beat three inside the box to score the goal of the trip so far. And Ethan Stewart on a penalty kick, in the 70th, were the Virginia marksmen.

The teams were buoyant on their return to the hotel and their late team dinner prepared by, of course, the chef boy Ardee of the region, Jean Pierre.

Day 5 was a travel day and a new adventure as the group heads north to the French Rivera and the port city of Marseille.

VA ODP Boys vs Olympic de Marseille

Day 6-The boys teams after a sight seeing trip, shopping and tour around Marseille headed off to the games against the European famous FC Marseille.

The 2000's took the field first to play against a combination 2000/2001 highly technical opponent. Marseille got on the board first when the VA team had trouble getting the ball out of the back and were punished accordingly. Evans Moyo, in the 23rd minute, on a terrific solo effort, evened the score. At the break it was 1-1. After a stern talking by coach Badiee and the advantage of the wind and fresh subs, the 00 boys began to knock it around with more assertion. And they were justly rewarded when, in the 59th minute, Jacob Pinello blasted home the eventual winner on a PK.

The 01's, right after, took the field against their French counterparts, who were also a year younger. The Virginia team looked sluggish and off the pace but still managed a 2-0 victory. AJ Cousins on a PK and a French own goal were the two VA tallies. However they were hanging on late in the 2nd half and luckily to escape with the two points.
The French team had more individual technical quality but the stronger Virginia players were able to pull it off in the end. The pro club gave the boys some pennants, gifts and food after the games and were very gracious and humble people.

The night finished with a late dinner with the two VA girls teams and then straight to bed in preparation of their final match tomorrow.