As some folk might know, the Under 19 squad is currently in Turkey under the EU?s Da Vinci Initiative which allows for fully funded 14 day training camp which also involves a series of matches. The squad under Alex Cleland left Inverness overnight on Monday (5th) and flew from Manchester to Turkey on Tuesday. They played their first competitive game on Friday, a report of which is shown below.

REPORT

?In a change to the planned schedule the Under 19's this afternoon (Friday) took on De Graafschap Reserves from Holland's top division while on their training placement in Turkish city Antalya. With conditions hot and humid the boys showed great character to come back from two goals down to claim a deserved draw against a very good side which included players up to ten years older than them.

De Graafschap had most of the early possession on a pitch which resembled a bowling green and only a superb double save from goalkeeper Keiran Wilson midway through the first half kept the game goal less. They eventually took the lead when a good move down the right produced a cross to the back post for a supporting midfielder to finish. Striker Daniel Park was causing the Dutch side problems with his pace and directness and he came close with a free kick effort which went over the bar.

At the half-time interval we made three changes with Scott-Woodhouse, Morrison and Sutherland replacing Hemsley, Fraser and Carrol. Within one minute of the re-start De Graafschap extended their lead when a through ball was latched onto by their striker and showed good composure to finish.

However the boys reacted well and took the game to their opponents and were soon awarded a penalty for handball in the box and midfielder Gavin Morrison kept his cool in the heat to send the goalkeeper the wrong way and it was game on.

We were now dictating the play and got our reward when Daniel Park smashed a great free kick into the back of the net from just outside the box. Park and strike partner Shane Sutherland were pulling the Dutch defenders all over the pitch and Sutherla nd was unlucky not to get himself a goal. Firstly when he reacted quickly in the box but could not put the ball away from close range and then towards the end when he produced a great turn on the half-way line to beat his man and raced in on goal but his shot was smothered by the De Graafscap goalkeeper.

The game finished in a 2-2 draw and the coaching staff will be looking for the boys to keep up this level of performance in their remaining two games.

ICT Team

Wilson

Hemsley, Porter, Finnis, Shinnie

Leslie, Rennie, Fraser, Ross

Park, Carrol

Subs: Allison (GK), Scott-Woodhouse for Hemsley (46 mins), Morrison for Fraser (46 mins), Sutherland for Carrol (46 mins)?

Well done lads.

Can only be good for their development.

Sounds like a fantastic opportunity to develop and gain experience against unfamiliar tactics styles etc. Bodes well for the future.

Sounds like a fantastic opportunity to develop and gain experience against unfamiliar tactics styles etc. Bodes well for the future.

P p p pardon?

P p p pardon?

Dont make me tell you twice... :thumb04:

We didnt get sent the second report and rather than cutting and pasting, you can find it on the official site. A 4-2 win over a Moscow select and on the back of it, an invitation to play Galatasaray !!!!

http://www.ictfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Matc...1518811,00.html

Sounds like a cracking game against Moscow. Good luck to the lads against Galatasaray, watch out for the flares!

Just occured to me, have we got any scouts out there for us? Could unearth a gem.

Beat Galatasary 2-0.

Surely we qualify for the Champions League or something after all these wins in Europe?

Here is the report from Fiona who is in Turkey with the U19s. As you can see the boys pulled off a pretty stunning win.

Under 19 Squad - Youngsters sizzle in the sun as they defeat Turkish giants with Sutherland & Rennie getting the goals

The Under 19 squad continued their impressive form on foreign soil this afternoon when they completed a stunning 2-0 victory over Turkish giants Galatasaray through goals from striker Shane Sutherland and midfielder Connor Rennie.

In a disciplined and organised performance the boys in the end ran out comfortable winners against a very good side. Galatasaray had the better of the opening spell however once we got used the hot temperatures we settled in and controlled the remainder of the first half.

Long range strikes from Graeme Shinnie, a stand out at left back and Daniel Park who also showed up well again tested the Turkish goalkeeper. At the other end Kyle Allison had very little to do apart from pluck one cross from out of the air.

Gavin Morrison, who had netted a double in the previous game against a Moscow select had to be replaced after 15 minutes due to suffering the effects of a cold and Kevin Fraser replaced him with good effect.

Just after the midway point we took the lead from a rehearsed set play, Daniel Park drilled over a corner kick and with Shane Sutherland peeling to the back post area he rose above everyone to head into the net and make it 1-0.

Galatasaray freshened up their line up at half-time replacing all eleven players as they tried to force their way back into the game. This proved to be too difficult for them and the back four well marshalled by Michael Finnis kept them at bay.

Despite a strong penalty claim being waved away by the Turkish referee when Daniel Park was felled in the box the boys continued to look dangerous on the break and shortly after we made it a deserved two. A quick break up field found Daniel Park charging down the left flank and his low cut back into the box was met by the supporting Connor Rennie and his touch sent the back into the bottom corner of the net.

Only a fine save by Keiran Wilson prevented the opposition from pulling a goal back when he raced from his line to block a Turkish striker who had a clear sight of goal.

Once again the boys gained credit for themselves and Caley Thistle with their attitude, work-rate, will to win and not to forget their obvious quality on show against a very good Galatasaray side which featured two players who have made first team appearances.

ICT Team

Allison

Scott-Woodhouse, Welsh, Finnis, Shinnie

Leslie, Hemsley, Morrison, Ross

Sutherland, Park

Subs: Wilson for Allison (46 mins), Fraser for Morrison (15 mins), Rennie for Hemsley (60 mins), Carrol for Ross (60 mins)

After hearing the U19's doing so well out in Turkey, and seeming to be quite strong defensivley, with regard to the long term problems the club seems to have at left-back and the fact that Tokely is not going to be able to cut it at the top level for much longer......what are the chances of the two U19 boys that fill these positions - Graham Shinnie and Struan Scott-Woodhouse- have of progressing to the 1st team?

As with everyone who comes into the ICT youth system. If they work hard and show willing there's every chance of success.

Well done lads on two victories and a draw from three matches.

Perhaps thats why half of our squad are on rolling contracts... hope Grasser is welcoming these boys back with nice long contracts as im sure they will be on the radar now...

In all the furore of the last day or two other matters at TCS seem to have been put to the back burner.

A very big well done to the U-19 squad on completing their trip to Turkey undefeated. The last game against the Azerbiajan National U-19 squad.

And to Daniel. Get your leg well soon.

Final report from Turkey, care of Fiona.

Last game was today and the boys won 2-1 to round off a very successful trip against strong opposition. Only sour note came on Saturday when striker Daniel Park broke his leg in two places at training. He is in a cast and is allowed to fly with the team tomorrow and is in good spirits considering.

Report

Under 19 Squad - Strikers Carrol & Sutherland on target as boys end Turkey trip with another win

The Under 19's rounded off their "Da Vinci" training camp in Antalya, Turkey with a 2-1 win over Azerbaijan national Under 19 squad. Goals from strikers Shaun Carrol and Shane Sutherland gave them a thoroughly deserved win despite selection worries due to illness and injury.

Daniel Park who suffered a broken leg at the weekend was joined on the sidelines by Keiran Wilson and Sean Porter with other members of the team playing with the effects of a flu bug sweeping the squad.

We started proceedings in a positive manner with Kevin Fraser looking dangerous supporting lone striker Shaun Carrol. Midfielder Nick Ross was unlucky not to open the scoring when he was sent through by a diagonal ball but his early shot was saved by the Azerbaijan goalkeeper.

The aerial presence of Stuart Leslie on the right side was causing Azerbaijan problems but we could just not find that killer final pass of quality to take a deserved lead.

However the opening goal was not far behind and it came from a good move, a diagonal ball into the right wing area found Struan Scott-Woodhouse charging down the flank. He showed good feet and his cross picked out Shaun Carrol in the box, he steadied himself and fired home.

Despite controlling the remainder of the first half we could not add to our lead and this gave the opposition a glimmer of hope at half-time.

With tired legs creeping in after playing four games in a short space of time the boys started on the back foot and conceded an equaliser when a Kyle Allison kicked clearance was charged down by the Azerbaijan forward and he rolled the ball over the line.

Azerbaijan were in the ascendency now and Kyle Allison had to look alert to tip a strong shot over the bar and thus prevent the opposition taking a lead their play did not deserve.

However the boys refused to wilt in the Turkish heat and set about creating a winning goal. There were a couple of close encounters until five minutes before the end we scored the clinching goal. Striker Shane Sutherland, who had been suffering from the effects of the flu for the last few days came off the bench to again provide a quality finish. A great free kick from Graeme Shinnie on the left touchline to the back post found Stuart Leslie and his cut back gave Sutherland the opportunity to beat the Azerbaijan goalkeeper from 12 yards to make it 2-1.

The final whistle followed shortly afterwards and the boys completed their four games in Turkey with three win and a draw against high quality opposition. They can all be proud of their efforts on a trip which has highlighted the strong team spirit amongst them.

ICT Team

Allison

Scott-Woodhouse, Welsh, Finnis, Shinnie

Leslie, Hemsley, Rennie, Ross

Fraser

Carrol

Subs: Sutherland for Ross (71 mins), Morrison for Hemsley (71 mins)

Sounds like a good trip along with some good performances from the lads, the experience of this trip will only help their development. Well done to the lads and all those involved in the youth development a great job.