Storm from the TRNC hits London

By RIchard Beale …….

A first half hurricane from TRNC Under 15 team swamped the Turkish London Under 15 team, who found themselves 6-0 down at half time at a rain sodden Iskele Stadium last Thursday evening.

Result : TRNC Under 15  – 8  / Turkish London Football Federation U15 – 0

Thursday April 18 : Iskele Cumhuriyet Stadium.

This is an annual fixture between the two Turkish communities both here and in London which has been played for over 40 years. This year was the turn of the Under 15 teams to represent the two Federations, if the London team expected to find “sunny Cyprus” they should have stayed at home.

From the minute the match started thunder, lightning and heavy torrential rain engulfed the Iskele Stadium. With due respects to people living in Grimsby it was just like watching a football match there on a cold January night, it was freezing!  It rained the entire first half and eventually stopped around the 60th minute.

TRNC dominated the first half playing some slick football in treacherous conditions and were well worth their 6-0 interval lead.

Both sides made numerous changes during the break and the second half was a more even contest with the TRNC scoring only twice.

It could have been a double figure score had the TRNC not hit the woodwork on a couple of occasions.

Spare a thought for the London team’s goalkeeper (I do not know his name), though he was beaten eight times he made some good crucial saves to keep the score into single figures.

Rain hammering down in the left photo TRNC in the “wet” white shirts”

TRNC forward ARDA GECE who plays for Mağusa Türk Gücü Under 15 team scored a hat trick.

I also noticed in this match there was no called “diving”, arguing or players doing a “Neymar roll”which has spoilt our professional game.

The match was played in good spirit by both teams and if a player went down injured their was genuine concern shown from both teams. Credit for this must be given to both teams Coaching staff for instilling the beliefs and good things about football.

The bad weather did not spoil the occasion, there was a genuine friendship between the two communities, long may it continue..

Thank you to both teams for providing an entertaining game in such appalling conditions.