Release Date: 25/01/2010

Northern Ireland Schools Under 18 Manager, Bob Ramsey will be hoping to maintain his unbeaten home record against Australia when his side faces the Aussies at Seaview on Wednesday, kick off 1.00 pm. 

In 1999 Ramsey's team drew 1-1, while in 2006 Northern Ireland defeated the Kangaroos 2-1 and two years ago they triumphed 3-0.

However, Ramsey knows that his side faces a formidable task this time.  “Theweather has hindered our preparations” said the Manager.  “Normally we would have played a few practice games before an international fixture but the weather has put paid to that.  We have managed two training sessions in the past week and the players have looked very sharp.  We are grateful to Crusaders for the effort they have put in to stage this international and all the players are really up for the game”.

No such problems with the weather have beset the Australians who were basking in the heat of an Australian summer before coming to the UK.  Since arriving on Friday they have played games against the Welsh Schools and the WelshColleges, going down 1-0 in both games.  “Jet lag was responsible for both defeats” commented Australian Manager Seb van der Vliet.  “We played the Welsh Schools a few hours after our flight from Australia and only lost out to a goal in the 85^th minute while on Saturday against the Welsh Colleges the winner came in the 87^th minute.  The team will have recovered by Wednesday and we feel confident of recording a victory in Northern Ireland”.

The Australian Girls team which will play the Northern Ireland Girls team at the Ashfield Arena on Wednesday, kick off 1 o’clock, fared better, drawing with the English Colleges 1-1 and trouncing the Welsh Colleges 5-2.

Next week the Northern Ireland Boys squad will fly to Jersey for two matches, hoping to retain the Lynn Nicholson Trophy which they won last year.  “These games will give me a chance to see all the players perform in a competitive match and they will also provide ideal preparation for the Centenary Shield campaign which begins in four weeks time.  We face a difficult opener against England at Comber on 27^th February and victory is essential if we are to retain the title.  This is a talented squad and I am hopeful that we can repeat the

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