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Day 3, Wednesday 30th July

Game Day! A Footballing Lesson.
After breakfast we had a short walk down to the pitches and went through some team shape and set pieces ready for our 1st game of the tour against NEC NIJMEGEN. The lads then had lunch and went to bed for a couple of hours.We made the 50 minute coach journey up to Nijmegen academy which was housed next to the 1st teams ground.The facilities were really good and we were made to feel welcome by our hosts.We played on the main academy pitch which was A 3 g artificial surface.The game kicked off and straight away we new it was going to be a tough evening against a team who were predominantly a year older and also more experienced. After 3 minutes we conceded a sloppy goal after a long range shot was parried away only for their striker to react first and slot home.We managed to regroup and had a few chances to get back in to the game but on the stroke of half time we conceded a penalty which they converted to make it 2-0. In the second half we started more positively and tried to press the ball higher up the pitch but Nijmegen showed why they compete with the likes of Ajax and PSV Eindhoven at youth level.Two further goals were added to make the final score 4-0.After the game the lads were down but it was an ideal start to the tour as it showed how hard they need to work and dedication they need to show in order to improve and hopefully make a career in the game.

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