SWANS & BLUEBIRDS LATEST NEWS

SWANSEA City Under-23s have been drawn to face Porto at the Liberty Stadium in the semi-finals of the Premier League International Cup.

It’s proved to be a memorable run so far for the young Swans who defeated Feyenoord and Chelsea in the group stage as well as claiming a goalless draw against Dinamo Zagreb to reach the knockout phase.

And Cameron Toshack and Gary Richards’ side turned in a barnstorming display as they progressed into the last four by thumping German outfit Hertha Berlin 5-1 thanks to a hat-trick from Adam King along with goals from Daniel James and Oli McBurnie.

Speaking after the quarter-final win, Richards said: “It was the perfect result.

“Overall, it was a fantastic team performance from the lads. The game was tight and could have gone either way in the first half.”

Their reward for that stunning success saw them drawn against Portuguese side Porto – with the semifinal tie due to take place at the Liberty Stadium by Saturday, April 15. Norwich City host Sunderland at Carrow Road in the other last-four encounter.

Hat-trick hero King returned to the Liberty following a frustrating spell with League One high-flyers Southend, and admits he is relishing being back in South Wales and getting game time under his belt.

“That was my first hat-trick so it’s a pretty nice feeling I have to say,” he said.

“The kitman kindly sorted me out with the match ball after the game and all the lads have signed it, so it will be a really nice momento for me to keep as my career goes on.

“It was a great night, I really enjoyed it. We all mucked in together and a great performance. That hattrick is just an added bonus.

“It is great to be back at Swansea because this side are doing brilliantly too and to be back in this environment and in the first-team manager’s eye is fantastic.”