Notts County Academy  Vs AESFA

The first match was played on English soil by the AESFA Academy facing the Notts County Academy on friday the 20th of November 2009 and the kick off time was set down for 8pm.
The venue was Moorways sports ground Derby.
The temperature was 8 degrees and the players were excited and ready to put them selves to the test with the well organised Notts County U16's Academy.
The ground was a little slushy due to the week long rain poor. The conditions were just right and the players from both teams delivered some good quality football and a pleasure to watch.
The first half was very even with both teams pushing the ball around the field and retaining possession for long periods. It would be fair to say that the AESFA showed more control all over the park and managed to keep possession for longer periods as the defence and midfield combined very well in winning possession from Notts County and keeping the ball moving.
Players such as Anthony Lazarou, James Bellos and Michael Radolovic were very instramental in all the great positive moves during the first half and that's not to mention Andreas Kartsioulis, and Luke Hansen the young 14 year old goal keeper who were outstanding.
The second half was much the same as the first half but a  goal was conceded by the Australian outfit due to a loss of concentration in front of goal and the Notts County striker was on hand to punish with a well taken opportunity finding the far post net to make the score 1-0.
The score remained that way till the end; thus Notts County coming away the victors at the end of an entertaining 80 minutes of  football by both sides.
It is well worth mentioning that the AESFA side fielded six U14 players and it is a credit to the whole team as they all combined well during the whole game and due to the fact that none of these players play together as a team on a weekly basis back in Australia.


The 3 points went to Andreas Kartsioulis,
      2 Points Luke Hansen.
      1 point Nathan Clissold
 
Coach Eddie Briscoe and director George Lazarou were very hapy with the team performance and hope that the players can play this brand of football during the whole tour.


Gillinham FC U15's Academy VS AESFA
 
The second game of the tour was played against the Gillinham FC U15's Academy at Canterbury University grounds on Sunday the 22nd of November 2009.
The venue and facilities were state of the art and our squad was made very welcome by the professionalism of the Gillinham management.
The weather was torrential rain and gusty winds which is normal for this time of the year here in England.
The game kicked off at 11.30 am and the team was travelling by mini buses for 4 hours prior to kick off.
The AESFA management used all the younger squad members and they came through with flying colours and made them selves and the Academy proud on a fantastic performance.
Starting from goalkeeper Jake Senior to the midfielders James bellos and Sooray Tith to Andrew Gouvea and the youngest member Abdull Zahra just to name a few of the members that stood out in the harsh battle and the mother nature.
The Gillinham squad were strong in every department and were very well organised and drilled with two of their squad members already identified for international duties with Wales and England national u15 teams.
The home team open the score in the first 15 minutes with a fantastic well earned goal, with the Welsh international making a run down the right flank and crossing the ball to the far post, where the other English international was perfectly positioned to finish and making the score 1-0 to the home team.
The AESFA fought well during the whole first half and kept up with the Gillingham team's speed and strength.
The first half ended 1-0 up for the home team and in the second half both teams had chances to score but the AESFA looked more dangerous in front of goal and finally scored on the 55th minute by a well earned goal by Captain Michal Radolovic who came on as a sub.
Anthony Lazarou showed his magic in the centre circle by taking on 2 players before finding Michael on the edge of the 18 yard area where he took on 2 defenders and the goalkeeper with a solo effort to make the score 1-1.
The Australian team lapsed in concentration during the last 5 minutes and allowed the home team to finish off two good opportunities to make the final score 3-1 win to the home team.
Over all another great performance by the Academy from Australia .


The 3 points went to A. Kartsoulis
      2 points to M. Galardo
      1 point to A. Lazarou 


AESFA also played two more games, one against Gillingham and one against Burnsley therefore new reports will follow soon... STAY TUNED!!!

                                                                                 MEDIA MENTIONS