The FAI/ETB took on the host's B team, as the Spanish Under-21s trained at the facility. This would prove to be a tough test for the Irish side as Cadiz are currently top of the Spanish second tier by seven points. The Irish team were under pressure from the start with David Odumosu in the Irish goal making a couple of good saves early on . The Irish side began to grow in to the game with Katlego Mashigo and Jack Savage pulling the strings in midfield and Alex Phelan leading the line well up front. At the back, man of the match Mark Traynor was making some vital interceptions.
The sides went in at the break all square but it was the Spanish side who went in front against the run of play. A counterattack after some good attacking play from the Irish resulted in an easy finish for the home side. However after some good play from Jamie Wynne, Alex Phelan was fouled in the box and a penalty was awarded. Alex O Hanlon stood up to take what would have been his third penalty in as many games but a fantastic save from the home keeper denied him on this occasion.
Phelan had the chance to salvage a draw late on after some great work and fantastic cross from Fran Muensterburg, but he couldn’t get his header on target.
The game finished 1-0 to Cadiz but headcoach Gerry Davis was happy with how his side did.
“I thought we did really well considering the standard of player we were up against today. All of the Cadiz players are full-time professionals and our players worked very hard today both in and out of possession. They were a quality side with a lot of experience so it was a great learning exercise for our young players. The feedback from the Spanish coaches was positive towards into how we performed."
This was the third and last game of the Erasmus+ trip and Davis was delighted how it had gone.
"It has been an excellent trip. The players have been applied themselves really well both on and off the pitch and embraced all the different aspects involved in Erasmus+. In three games, we have won, lost and drawn games and certainly the win against Real Betis was the standout performance “
FAI/ETB Selection: David Odumosa, Ray O'Sullivan, Mark Traynor, Conor McKenna, Alex O'Hanlon, Jack Savage, Katlego Mashigo, Thomas McLaughlin, Martin Coughlan, Liam McGrath, Alex Phelan:
Substitutes: Jamie Wynne, Callum McNamara, Conor Soroghan, Niall O'Keefe, Fran Muensterburg.
