FC Johansen defeat Liverpool FC to win Swiss U16 Cup

By Mohamed Fajah Barrie in Freetown

Victorious FC Johansen players parading the national flag (Photo credit: www.swissu16.com)

FC Johansen, the special guest team of the 6thInternational Swiss U16 Cup in Zurich have emerged as the new champions afterdefeating English side Liverpool 1-0 after extra time in the final match on Sundaywatched by many scouts of European clubs.

George Davies got the goal in the 5th minute ofthe first half of extra time to finish as the tournament’s joint top goalscorer with five goals.

Earlier in the day FC Johansen had defeatedGerman side Vlf Wolfsburg 6-5 on penalties after a goalless scoreline inregulation time in the tournament’s first semi-final match.

Liverpool beat fellow English club Manchester City 2-1 in the other semi-final match.

FC Johansen line-up against Liverpool FC in final of Swiss U16 Cup (Photo credit:www.liverpoolfc.tv)

A delighted Isha Johansen, owner of FC Johansensaid their victory has taken Sierra Leone football to another level.

“I’m extremely delighted for winning the SwissCup and our victory means a lot for Sierra Leone football,” IshaJohansen told sierraleonefootball.com.

She added: “Sierra Leone football has now goneto another level because the eyes of European scouts will be fixed on our youthfootballers. They now know that we have lot of young talented footballers in Sierra Leone.

My boys did exceptionally well and Icongratulate them for making Sierra Leone proud.”

Paul Kamara, the Sierra Leone Sports Ministertold sierraleonefootball.com that FC Johansen’s victory marks another milestonein Sierra Leone football, adding that they derserve to be treated like aheroes.

 â€œI want to thank Isha Johansen and his boys forflying the Sierra Leone flaghigh in the Swiss Cup in Zurich.We are proud of their achievement,” said Minister Kamara.

He added: “Before the boys departed for thetournament, I told them in my office that they were going to Zurich as our ambassadors and indeed they’veproven that they are worthy ambassadors and we should treat them like heroes.

On their way to the final, FC Johansenregistered five victories against Swiss side FC Luzern, Team Liechtenstein and three German sides VFBStuttgart, SV Weder Bremenand Vlf Wolfsburg. They only narrowly lost to Manchester City1-0 in their final group match after
they had already booked a place in the semis.

FC Johansen are worthy winners as they scoredthe highest number of goals in the tournament, scoring 15 goals and concededonly two goals, the least in the competition as well.  They are expected to defend their title inthe 7th Swiss U16 Cup in two years time.

In the third place play-off match Manchester City defeated Vlf Wolfsburg 2-1.

This is the second international youthtournament in Europe FC Johansen have won as they won the Mitnordick Cup in Sweden in 2009.

Results:

Group Stage

FC Johansen 3-0 FC Luzern
FC Johansen 5-1 VFB Stuttgart
FC Johansen 4-0 Team Liechtenstein
FC Johansen 2-0 SV Werder Bremen
FC Johansen 0-1 Manchester City
 
Semi-final

FC Johansen 0-0 6-5 (Pen) Vlf Wolfsburg

Final

FC Johansen 1-0 (a.e.t.) Liverpool