Talented young Caymanian footballers tested their skills against peers from around the world at the IberCup in Estoril, Portugal, last week.
Two teams represented Cayman, setting a high standard for the islands’ second time competing at the cup, one of the largest youth tournaments in the world.
Excel Sports Management arranged to bring its U10 and U12 teams to Portugal for the holiday cup.
The U10 team made it to the silver cup quarter-finals, and the U12 team continued to the gold cup quarter-finals.
This FIFA-guided youth sports tournament has hosted competitors from hundreds of countries since its inception, and more than 50,000 athletes play at matches around the world.
This year marks the first time the Cayman Islands has competed in the IberCup since 2019.
Coach Chelsea Brown, who accompanied the first group of players to return on Sunday, 7 July, said she and fellow coaches Alek Kocic and Bruno Cancela were immensely proud of how the players performed both on and off the field at the tournament.
U12 starts off strong
The Cayman Islands U12 team faced off against Mongolia’s Khangarid Club on the opening day, running away with the game 6-1. Kailan Webb scored two goals, while Harry Burch, Jayce Ebanks, Zach Salaverri and Johnny Watkins scored one goal each.
The team also dominated Portugal’s ARD Torre team, taking a 7-1 win. Watkins led the charge with three goals scored, and Ebanks took two. Webb and Mitchell each scored once.
Brown said the coaches were encouraged to see the players work cohesively to score big out the gate, spreading scoring opportunities among the team.
“The boys came into the game very focused and stuck with the plan,” she said. “We showed them what we’re here to do. It was great to see that as coaches and watch them be successful.”
The U12 team went on to win 3-1 against Canada’s P2P FA team with three goals by Webb, two by Watkins, and one by Salaverri.
They couldn’t quite pull off the win in their final two matches against Portugal and Spain, however, losing those matches 3-6 and 1-3.
Watkins scored the sole goal against Spain’s Mercedarios, as well as two goals against Portugal’s Vitoria Clube Pico da Pedra. Burch and Salaverri each scored as well.
The U12 team ranked 110 out of 363 competing teams.
“It’s been a long process with them, getting to this point, and to see them excelling and doing well is very good to see,” she said.
U10 gets crucial win at IberCup
Day one, the Cayman Islands U10 team lost its initial match against Egypt’s Alexandria SC team, 3-5. Charlie Burch and a guest player referred to as Rodrigo both scored in this first match, as did Cam’ron Clarke. The goals weren’t quite enough to secure the win.
The team lost its matches against Portuguese teams GD Malveira da Serra and CF Estrela Amadora, each coming to 1-4. Rodrigo scored in the second match, and Charles Russell scored in the third match.
However, the team came back strong in its match against Portugal’s SU Sintrense B. The Cayman Islands won 3-1, with Rodrigo and Charlie Burch each scoring again. Portugal’s team also scored an own goal.
This crucial win carried the team forward to compete in the quarter finals, where they faced off against Portugal’s CR Leões Porto Salvo. Though the team lost 0-3, it landed in a respectable 251st position among the teams.
More opportunities
Brown noted that the club teams have competed in the United States recently, but that they would love to see more opportunities offered for regional football tournaments.
“It would help the youth here to excel,” she said.
In addition to the time spent on the field during the IberCup, the players got to enjoy other learning opportunities.
Before the matches, the boys benefitted from a training session at Benfica Campus with the school’s coaches. They also joined a tour of the stadium, Estádio da Luz.
Parents who greeted their children at the airport on Sunday said they were glad for the kids to get the chance to meet new people, grow closer as a team, and make memories to last a lifetime.
Brown said they hope to compete again at the IberCup, though they still have to decide on next year.
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