Milk Cup 2009: Reds crush Cantolao to move into quarters

Skipper Robbie Brady bagged another brace as United put Peruvian side Cantolao to the sword in a terrific display of free-flowing attacking football in Coleraine this evening, taking his tally for the tournament to four in two games. Will Keane and Ryan Tunnicliffe were also on the mark as the Reds rained shots on the Cantolao goal, with only a great display from ‘keeper Patricio Musso Savage keeping the scoreline respectable.

As you’d expect, the South Americans were a talented side in their own right, but they made the fatal mistake of giving their opponents plenty of space and time on the ball, and United took full advantage. The game wasn’t even five minutes old when the breakthrough came for the defending champions, and it came from the left boot of Monday’s two-goal hero Brady. The 17 year-old Irishman picked up where he left off, curling a brilliant freekick in off the near post that Savage did well to get fingertips to but couldn’t keep out.

Further goals could and should have followed as United showed no signs of missing the injured Josh King and the suspended Ravel Morrison, with Will Keane, Michael Ngoo and Ryan Tunnicliffe all going close as McGuinness’ side sought to get a decisive lead. Eight minutes before half-time that wish was granted, with Tunnicliffe netting from close range after a well-timed run into the box.

If United’s football had been impressive in the first half, things went up a notch at the start of the second, with Will Keane finishing off a team goal of the highest quality to effectively sew up the three points. The move lasted fifteen passes in its entirety, and the movement and one-touch passing from Hussain through Brady, Fryers, Ngoo, Fryers, Ngoo, Fryers, Brady and back to Hussain to lay on the simple finish for Keane was sensationally good football.

The game well and truly won, McGuinness shuffled his pack and gave James Wren, Jesse Lingard, Rico Gomes and Luke Giverin some time on the field. Even at a relative canter United were still creating plenty of chances, Hussain and Keane both going close before Brady capped things off with another great strike five minutes from time. Picking the ball up from Giverin on the left flank, the young Dubliner produced a mazy run across the face of the penalty area, played a clever one-two with Larnell Cole and rifled a right-footed effort back across goal into the far corner. Four goals in two games, the sort of form Brady has previously exhibited in friendly matches but has yet to translate to competitive academy football – hopefully that will all change this season.

The Reds now advance into the quarter-finals, and have been handed one of the toughest possible draws – Desportivo Brasil, who of course have an official affiliation with United. Desportivo also won both qualifying games in convincing fashion and have impressed observers so far this week, so tomorrow’s game at the Limavady Showgrounds is likely to be a real challenge for McGuinness’ young charges. Kick-off is at 7pm.

 
UNITED
1. Sam Johnstone (13. James Wren 44)
2. Michael Keane (16. Luke Giverin 44)
3. Zeki Fryers
4. Sean McGinty
5. Tom Thorpe
6. Ryan Tunnicliffe
8. Etzaz Hussain (17. Rico Gomes 54)
10. Will Keane (16. Jesse Lingard 54)
11. Robbie Brady (c)
18. Michael Ngoo

Subs not used
12. John Cofie

Scorers: Brady 3, 65, Tunnicliffe 27, W. Keane 43