Tottenham Lose to CSKA Moscow in NI Milk Cup

Tottenham conceded two first half goals against a strong CSKA Moscow team in the play-off stage for 9th – 12th in the NI Milk Cup. They battled throughout but their goal came too late to change the game so they play County Londonderry at Broughshane for 11th and 12 position in this year’s tournament.

Tottenham Hotspur 1 CSKA Moscow 2

Tottenham scorer: Sonupe

Team: Priestly; Lyons-Foster (Sonupe), Campbell-Young, Ogilvie,Vincent -Young (Walkes); Georgiou (Harrison), Amos (Magbadelo), Goddard (Winks), Pritchard, Miller, Oduwa.

Tottenham were set up without a recognised striker playing forward, rather like the system Spain have perfected. Nathan Oduwa played on the left with Cy Goddard getting forward from central midfield. Joe Pritchard played in front of the back four which consisted of four of the taller Spurs players as CSKA Moscow where a physically strong side. This was perhaps Spurs best performance as a team in this year’s tournament.

Both teams started brightly and at a good pace with no sign of tiredness as they played their fourth match in five days. Oduwa had a good early shot which was well saved by the CSKA Moscow goalkeeper. Spurs went behind after five minutes when they failed to deal with a high bouncing ball down  the middle and the CSKA striker scored from the edge of the box with a powerful shot.

Spurs continued to play their passing game and Goddard put a good pass out to Anthony Georgiou on the right but he just failed to control the ball. Oduwa had a run on the left into the box and went down with strong claims for a penalty but the referee waved play on. Alex Inglethorpe wasn’t impressed with the decision and let the official know. I had a position beside the Tottenham bench and technical area, so it was very interesting to hear the instructions from the bench that were going out to the players, individually and as a team.

The Spurs defence played deeper and looked more secure although CSKA always looked dangerous as they moved forward driving powerfully towards the Spurs area and a cross was headed over. Channing Campbell-Young had to clear a dangerous CSKA break and then Liam Priestly saved a weak shot with ease. Goddard and Oduwa swapped positions but it didn’t make any difference as Spurs passing game failed to break through a tight CSKA defence. A long throw was well claimed by Priestly as it was flicked on and bounced dangerously but then CSKA scored their second after twenty seven minutes, from a cross from the right.

Tottenham didn’t let their heads drop at this set-back and continued to compete against the strong and well organised CSKA team who picked up three bookings for their tough, uncompromising tackling whenever Spurs made forward progress.

Harry Voss

At half-time I had the chance to speak to Harry Voss, the Spurs goalkeeper, who was injured and stretchered off against South Coast Strikers on Tuesday evening. He is a very pleasant and level-headed young man. He had stitches in his shin where a stud had cut him and his knee was swollen and bruised. He is now using only one crutch and once the stitches are removed he should be able to play again in about eight to  ten days. In spite of the injury, he has enjoyed his time at the Milk Cup and has found all the people in Northern Ireland very friendly and helpful. He expects to be playing for Spurs’ Under-16s next season. There is no League for that age group but they shadow the Under-18 team and play matches against their opponents. He is still at school and will be doing his GCSE exams next year so his focus next season will be on his school work as he’s realistic enough to know that an injury could end a football career and so its important to have gained qualifications.

At the start of the second half, Harry Winks came on for Goddard and CSKA had an early strike which hit the post before a good ball found Oduwa but he was crowded out and a weak shot was easily saved. Spurs stood up well against the strength of the older CSKA team and showed an appetite to compete while still playing their own style of football. Oduwa was the main threat on the Spurs left with his pace and running causing the CSKA defence some problems. Winks sent him away again but as he worked towards the goal-line his shot/cross was rather fortunately deflected into the goalkeeper’s hands by a defender to avert the danger.

A dangerous move by CSKA on the left ended with a shot past but Oduwa was a threat again when he beat his man but shot weakly. A pass from Amos  put Winks through but there was no-one following up to meet his cross. Priestly was then called upon to make two good saved from strong shots from distance as CSKA looked for a third. Jon Magbadelo came on and put in a good tackle to avert danger and then CSKA had another shot past. Spurs just couldn’t find a way through the tight CSKA defence but in the final minute Oduwa got behind the defence after good work on the left and his shot beat the goalkeeper but Emmanuel Sonupe made sure by putting it into the net, Jermain Defoe style from a few inches. The goal came too late to alter the result but Spurs were rewarded for their persistence against a good side.

Spurs now play Co. Londonderry at Broughshane at 1.30 today. Co. Londonderry lost heavily to CSKA Moscow in the opening match last Saturday and lost 3 – 1 in yesterday’s play-off to local county rivals, County Down. They defeated Co. Fermanagh on Monday and drew with Ichifuna in a scoreless match at Limavady on Tuesday ahead of Spurs defeat to South Coast Strikers. Co. Londonderry were unfortunate not to win that match as they hit the post and then the  ball ran along the line to safety. Spurs will be hoping to finish strongly with a win this afternoon at the picturesque Broughshane ground.