Valencia show their class to clinch the Premier crown on maiden visit
SPANISH giants Valencia took the STATSports SuperCupNI by storm this week, and won the Premier section at the Ballymena Showgrounds in style last night.
Although they only defeated Premier League academy side Newcastle United 2-1 in the final, the football they played in the second half of the decider was some of the most attractive the famous youth tournament has seen in years.
This was Valencia’s first trip to the tournament formerly known as the Milk Cup, and after this display competition organisers will be hoping they return.
Second-half goals from Pedro Aleman and Hugo Gonzalez denied Newcastle their third Premier section success.
It took 28 minutes for either side to threaten the goal. Valencia forward Ferran Giner made a yard of space inside the area, but smashed his low drive against the foot of the post.
It proved to be a costly miss, as the Magpies went straight up the other end and scored. A quick break saw Joe Oliver flight a superb cross in from the right that was converted by Dylan Stephenson.
The forward hit a half-volley with the inside of his boot, which beat keeper Juanvi Munoz.
Valencia made a bright start to the second half. Within 60 seconds of the restart, Gonzalez had a chance to score but blazed his back-post volley over.
Newcastle goalkeeper Oliver Marshall was forced into action two minutes later. Some smart play by David Ruiz set up Julio Insa, but Marshall was on hand to push away the 15-yard strike.
Valencia equalised in the seventh minute of the new half. A fine passing move handed Giner a chance to score, but his low shot was parried by Marshall. However, Aleman was on hand to steer the rebound into the net.
The Spaniards were now dominating every aspect of the game.
They took the lead 14 minutes into the second half when Insa split Newcastle open with a sublime through ball.
Gonzalez ran onto the perfectly weighted pass and drilled his shot into the bottom left corner of the Newcastle net.
After a fantastic week of football, it was arguably one of the best passages of play the SuperCupNI had seen.
And it was enough for Valencia to secure the Premier section trophy on their first visit to the tournament.