Richárd Takács’s assessment:
"Last weekend we took part in a prestigious international tournament in the Netherlands, where after playing our domestic league matches on a three-quarter-size pitch in an 8+1 format, we were able to test ourselves on a full-size pitch in a 10+1 formation. What made the tournament special was that we could measure ourselves not only against top Dutch teams but also against representatives of several European countries.
Over the two-day event we played Dutch, Czech, Finnish and Welsh teams, so we faced opponents with varied styles but all operating at a high standard. Our team was involved in closely fought games throughout, and nearly 240 minutes of playing time provided extremely valuable experience for our players.
It was especially pleasing to see how quickly the children were able to match the tempo of teams rated above us. Perhaps this was most clearly shown against Feyenoord, who ultimately won the tournament. Although the intensity was unfamiliar to us at first, we adapted quickly to the conditions and on two occasions proved worthy opponents for the age-group side of an academy recognised at European level.
The results show clearly that our pre-academy is nurturing talents with significant potential who – with the right development – can make a lasting impact at academy level and later at senior level as well. Of course, a long and challenging road still lies ahead and a great deal of work will be required, but the ability is there – and we believe in them, and in as many of them as possible fulfilling the potential they possess.
Finally, we would like to thank the parents for their unwavering support throughout the year and for creating a home atmosphere for us at every match in the Netherlands, cheering the children on enthusiastically and sportingly from start to finish!"
Matches:
Budapest Honvéd FC - MFK Karvina 4:0 (Win)
Scorers: Csongor Várdai (2), Áron Szilágyi, Tibor Benett Berki
Budapest Honvéd FC - Feyenoord 1:2 (Defeat)
Scorer: Áron Szilágyi
Budapest Honvéd FC - SO Soest 2:0 (Win)
Scorers: Dávid Izing, Csongor Várdai
Budapest Honvéd FC-HJK Helsinki 1:0 (Win)
Scorer: Csongor Várdai
Budapest Honvéd FC-Feyenoord 0:0 (Draw)
On penalties: 1:3 - Defeat
Budapest Honvéd FC-Cardiff City 1:1 (Draw)Scorer: Bálint Baji
On penalties: 4-2 - Win
Players: Csanád Babos, Tibor Benett Berki, Bence Juhász, Norbert Marsalla, Benjámin Pál, Áron Szilágyi, Bálint Baji, Andor Borsodi, Gergő Juhász, Bence Márta, Béla Olivér Pályka, Csongor Várdai, Zalán Balla, Dávid Izing, Dominik Krapfel, Zoltán Bánk Nyerges, Máté Pándi, Olivér Varga
