Newcastle United Quartet Suffer Defeat in Friendship Cup Final
Four Newcastle United youth players missed out on a trophy as England’s Under-18 squad were beaten 0-2 by Spain Under-18s in the Friendship Cup final in Nyon, Switzerland.
Midfielder Kyran Thompson was the only one of the four to feature in the final, with goalkeeper Roman Dowell, midfielder Sam Alabi, and winger Michael Mills all unused substitutes.
But they all played a part in England’s route to the final.
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Will Antwi’s Young Lions had beaten Columbia, Egypt, and Korea Republic to make the final. Spain were also unbeaten, so both teams were full of confidence.
La Roja scored late in the first half through Junior, and England spent the second half looking for an equaliser but couldn’t convert despite putting their opponents under intense spells of pressure.
Spain wrapped up the win when Cruz scored their second in the last minute of stoppage time.
17-year-old Thompson played most of the game but was substituted in the 69th minute.
The Newcastle youngsters had been impressive when given their chance by Antwi.
16-year-old Dowell was player of the match in the 3-2 win over Columbia, making a string of stops including a diving save in the 88th minute that prevented an almost certain equaliser. Mills scored the opening goal after an assist from Thompson.
In their second game of the tournament, England beat Egypt 1-2. A much-changed England side saw the Newcastle players left on the bench.
The three outfield players came on in the second half with the score at 1-1, and Mills scored the winner in the 82nd minute. It was a great goal – the 17-year-old ran on to Jashayde Greenwood’s through ball and slid it under the advancing keeper.
The third game, a 1-2 win over Korea Republic, was Alabi’s time to shine. The 17-year-old opened the scoring in the 57th minute with a stunning 25-yard strike. Dowell was impressive again, keeping the Koreans at bay as they threatened to get back into the game.
Newcastle’s academy was derided after losing a host of talented players to other clubs, but the owners have focused on improving it since they arrived in 2021, and that policy is bearing fruit.
Newcastle’s quartet showed what they are capable of, and people are beginning to take notice.
The Athletic featured Mills in their regular column The Prospects, which highlights up-and-coming academy players.
Mills, Alabi, and Thompson have all featured in a matchday squad for the senior side but have yet to make a competitive appearance.
Expect that to change if they continue their current trajectory.
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