Release Date: 16/03/2010

Author: By Tony Rice

PAUL Kee believes that his boys are more than capable of stepping up to the challenge which lies ahead this week in the 2009/2010 UEFA European U17 Championship Elite round mini-tournament.

Kee’s side will take on Spain, Poland and Belgium in the Group 4 tournament which is being hosted by Northern Ireland from March 17-22.

“Spain are probably favourites for the whole tournament,” said the Northern Ireland U17 boss.  “They’ve won it twice in the last three years.  They have good young players and play good football.  But we’re motivated.  If we can get a result from the first game against Spain, the lads know they’ve a great chance to make the Finals.”

With only the table-toppers definitely qualifying for the Finals in Liechtenstein in May, the manager is determined his boys will have every chance.  “There’s an added incentive,” he said.  “Liechtenstein have pulled out and so the best runner-up of the seven groups can also qualify.”

Not that the U17 boss is eyeing anything less than winning the group.  “We are in a tough group, but we’re playing in our own back yard and as the lads try to make their way in the game, they know that success here could lead to something,” said Kee.

As part of the build-up to the tournament, the boys in green got together in Manchester last month and had intensive training as well as tough matches against Everton and Manchester City. This was followed up with a couple of friendly games against Norway in Ballymoney.  The youngsters won the first 4-3 and lost the second 2-0.

“It was great preparation,” said the manager.  “Norway completely changed their tactics for the second match, becoming very defensive and playing on the counter-attack.  In the first game, we controlled large parts of it and could have scored more.”

Kee added the loss in the second game wasn’t dispiriting for the lads.  “We played good football and we tried to play the second game as we played the first. Norway paid us a good compliment as we outplayed them for large parts of the first game. They sat behind the ball and were difficult to break down.”

The games have been invaluable practice for this European elite round tournament and the manager is adamant the lads have a shout to top the group.But Kee acknowledges that may be difficult for a small country like Northern Ireland.  He said: “It’s a big ask.  But the boys have the belief that it’s not beyond them.  They know they’ve had good results against good teams and they know what it takes to win.”

The manager feels his team is, pound for pound, equal to any and his job is to sustain the lads’ level of confidence.  There are no weak teams in the group so every game is crucial.  But what does the manager really feel about his team’s chances?  The response acts as the last word.  “We’re there to qualify,” he said, simply.

So make sure you come along and cheer on the Northern Ireland boys as they bid to book their place in the European Finals in Liechtenstein in May. Admission to each game in the mini tournament is £2 for adults and £1 concessions - members of the Irish FA's Official Supporters Schemes get in for free on production of their membership card.

« Go Back