Manchester City U16 1 - 4 Malaga U16

Manchester City suffered their third defeat in a row at this year's Galway Umbro Cup, losing heavily to Malaga. The 4-1 scoreline reflected the play, with the Spaniards looking technically superior and physically stronger throughout. 

 

 

The game was just five minutes old when David Ramos curled a beautiful shot from 20 yards past the helpless City goalkeeper.

 

 

The English side looked shaky from the off, and were tormented down the left wing by the skilful Enrique Pina, who cut inside and on 15 minutes and smashed and a shot which was tipped onto the bar. 

 

 

Pina cut in again a few minutes later, this time finding Ramos who swivelled and finished to make it 2-0.

 

 

City pulled one back with a long range effort of their own minutes later, with a looping Martin Samuelson strike deceiving the Malaga net minder. 

 

 

The Spaniards replied almost immediately as Javier Ontiveros played in full-back Francisco Morales on one of his many maruading forward runs. The Malaga man finished neatly, sending his side in 3-1 up at the break.

 

 

The diminutive Brahim Adbelkader Diaz has been tipped as one to watch my many at this tournament, I showed why after coming on at half time showing great close control and playmaking, combined with terrier-like closing down.

 

 

With his aid, Malaga exerted even more dominance and a goal from Jose Sanchez Martin - who showed great strength to hold off Gideon Adu Peprah - was enough to wrap up matters. A last minute sending off for Charlie Oliver for a late, two-footed lunge only added insult to injury for City.