This morning, our newly formed Under-14 MJPL squad joined forces with our Under-15 team for a relaxed yet purposeful training match in place of their usual session. Opting for this format proved highly beneficial, offering real-time gameplay experience without the pressure of competition. Facing a physically dominant Under-15 side created a valuable challenge for the Under-14s, compelling them to focus on technical execution and tactical awareness rather than relying purely on physical attributes.

From the outset, the Under-14s displayed remarkable cohesion, especially in midfield, where their ability to link up and play through pressure allowed them to carve out space and dictate tempo. For a team playing together for the first time, their synchronicity and mutual understanding exceeded expectations. Their movement off the ball and interchanging passes created natural openings across the pitch, setting the foundation for attacking opportunities.

One of the standout features of the match was the quality of play in wide areas, where intelligent runs and positional rotation stretched the defensive shape of the opposition. The team implemented several attacking patterns we had only briefly introduced during previous sessions, demonstrating impressive retention and execution. In one particularly fluid sequence, the ball was worked with precision around the penalty area—resembling a miniature rondo—before Rio delivered a well-weighted lofted pass that found Stephen, who calmly slotted the ball home with finesse.

As the game progressed, some moments of formational indiscipline began to creep in, although they did not significantly disrupt the overall performance. These lapses serve as a useful reminder of areas needing attention in future training. Not long after the first goal, we struck again with our second and final effort of the match. The team once more exploited the key attacking zone with confidence, where Rio picked out Josh with another expertly placed pass. Josh met it cleanly, producing a powerful finish that sent the ball into the net with authority.

Overall, the collective effort and attitude shown by the boys was exceptional. For their first outing as a team, the performance was not only promising but genuinely impressive. Their ability to adapt, compete, and implement early tactical ideas bodes well for the matches ahead.