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A busy spell of football begins on Wednesday: four of our academy teams will be in action, three of them in competitive matches. Our U15 side opens the programme on Wednesday, today, hosting UTE at 16.00 at the Magyar Futball Akadémia. Then on 22 February our U19s face a major task against Vasas Kubala Akadémia. Viktor Petrók's side will be away in Szeged from 11.00, while to close the day Márton Bogdánfi's team visit the ETO Stadion.
Viktor Petrók, head coach of Budapest Honvéd U16:
„It is a useful competition because competitive matches allow us to give playing time to players who get fewer minutes due to the size of the squad. Progress is decided in a single match, which creates a different kind of pressure and mentality and lets us learn even more about our players. Against MTK we wanted to settle the tie and managed to win in extra time. That is important feedback about the team and about individual players as well. I believe that at youth level we have to play our own game according to our own principles. We are characterised by initiative both in defence and in attack, and that is both our strength and our weakness. We already have quite a few international matches in our legs, but competitive games always carry a different weight, and it will be good to experience that again. Our squad has changed, many players are training with older age groups and we are likely to have absentees too, so I am curious to see how we cope with this obstacle. That will also be the biggest question of the spring.”
Márton Bogdánfi, head coach of Budapest Honvéd U17:
„This competition started last year and it is a very good initiative because it has a different atmosphere from league matches. The boys have to take the field in a different psychological state, because qualification is decided in one game. Last year this team reached the cup final at U16 level, where unfortunately it was beaten. This year we set out with the boys wanting to win the competition. We know how to get to the final and prepare separately for every match. Our current squad is somewhat different from last year's. We have many young players, but they are just as hungry for success. We have had good preparations and I am looking forward to the match positively. Győr are one of the most cultured footballing youth teams in Hungary. They are brave enough to play, they try to take the initiative, and I am sure we can be part of an intense, entertaining match with plenty of chances. We beat them by two goals away in the autumn, but I expect a much more difficult encounter now; they will certainly play in a more organised way. This match could be a battle of individuals and characters, but we are not badly placed in that respect, and that could prove decisive.”
László Takács, head coach of Budapest Honvéd U19:
„I would echo my coaching colleagues: it is a very good initiative because the cup is a different type of system from the league. There is no chance to make amends. If a match does not go your way, you are out, which puts a different kind of pressure on the youngsters and gives them valuable experience. They can come up against lower-division teams in more difficult conditions, against highly motivated opponents who present a major challenge. We played two difficult matches in this competition in the autumn. In Szentendre we faced an enthusiastic and organised opponent on a small pitch. We fell behind and only managed to turn the match around near the end. In the next round we visited Gyirmót, who entered the competition as defending champions in this age group. They have been unbeaten for two years and currently lead the second-division championship. We drew with them in normal time, fell behind in extra time, but equalised before the final whistle and then came from behind in the penalty shoot-out as well. We drew with Vasas in the league, and the two sides are of roughly similar quality. Last year it was Vasas who eliminated this age group, so the boys would like to take revenge for that too. I expect a difficult match; based on the league statistics they create a lot of chances, so it will be important to keep that to a minimum. We want to carry the form we showed in preparation into competitive matches and go as far as possible in the Hungarian Cup!”
