Semi-final disappointment in Portugal

Midfielder Ryan Christie just couldn't stop scoring in the blistering hot temperatures of Lisbon as his goals fired the ICT U16’s into the semi-final of the Iber Cup.

The Ryan Christie hat-trick in their final group game ensured the ICT U16’s squad topped their qualifying group. This meant  a last 16 tie against Spanish outfit Bansander CF which took place on Thursday evening.

Then a double from young Christie on Thursday evening against Bansander CF in a 2-1 victory set up a quarter final tie on Friday morning against Portuguese side CO Montijo.  It was once again Ryan Christie who came up with the goods when he prodded a shot into the back of the net after an Aiden Drever header came back off the crossbar.

Despite an impressive showing in the semi-final against Lusaka YSA Zambia the ICT youngsters found themselves knocked out in the cruellest way possible.  In an eventful first half the boys found themselves two goals down after 17 minutes but came storming back to level the scores before half-time, through goals from Felipe Da Silva and Aiden Drever.  There was to be no further scoring in the match and it went straight to penalties at the final whistle.  Ally Sutherland and Ryan Christie both dispatched their spot kicks but unfortunately the Zambian side slotted away three penalties to go into the final against Mexican side Chivas Guadalajara.

The boys, who travelled out to Lisbon on Sunday recovered from the disappointment of losing their opening group game 1-0 to Brazilian side Salvador FC on Monday by beating CD Regunengo from Portugal 5-0 on Tuesday.  With the goals coming from Felipe Da Silva, Joe Hersee, Ally Sutherland and a Ryan Christie double. 

All credit must go to the young ICT team, who despite in playing in temperatures of up to 35 degrees, have not only done their club proud, but also the whole of Scotland.

ICT Squad: Cammy MacKay, Jason Brown, Ross Aitken, Liam Watt, Matthew Grant, Ben Allan, Joe Hersee, Ryan Christie, Stefan MacRitchie, Jay Cheyne, Aiden Drever, Felipe Da Silva, Aidan Hersee, Ally Sutherland, Calum Howarth.