Leaving for Barcelona

I was very excited to be leaving Bermuda for Barcelona, Spain. I arrived at the airport to meet up with my teammates who were just as excited as me. Our first stop was to London, England. This flight took 6 hours. The landing was a bit bumpy but we landed safely. Then we had to transfer on a bus to Heathrow airport. When we got there we checked in and the workers took our bags to board the plane.

When we boarded the plane we sat in our seats and then took off for Barcelona. This flight took us 2 hours. Once we got in we caught a bus to our hotel called Campanile Hotel . I had to room with my Dad. After we put our bags in our rooms, we went to straight to a football match between Barcelona and Athletico Bilbao. The score was 2-0 to Barcelona. The most exciting thing that happened during the game was that my two favorite players scored both goals and they were Iniesta and Messi. Messi scored a penalty and Iniesta scored a well placed goal.

Kappa Classic 2012

The Finals - Life or Death!
Last year this time my teammates and I were crying after losing 3-1 to Hot Peppers. We did not want to finish as runners-up this year.  This time we had the drive to push us to the win.  The match started off rough with tackles all over.  Hot Peppers scored and then Knory scored to even the score. Hot Peppers then went ahead 2-1 and then quickly it was 3-1.  Not AGAIN!! The match got even rougher but we kept our cool and stormed back with Knory getting his second, 3-2.  Just when we were back in it, Hot Peppers made it 4-2. There was not much time left and we were about to be knocked out of the Kappa Classics. Not yet, Enrique slipped passed his defender and flicked the ball into the net, 4-3. With not much time left we went searching for the equalizing goal. I managed to beat my defender to the ball and he could not do anything but hold me and dragged me down in the penalty box.  The ref blew his whistle and awarded us a penalty.  I stepped up calmly and sent the goalie the wrong way and the score was tied.  The ref blew the final whistle right after.  PENALTY KICKS!! 1-2-3 Knory, Kane, and Enrique. We all scored and Hot Peppers missed one and we were on to the finals against NVCC.

THE FINALS - We are the Champions!! The match was intense and again we were up against bigger, stronger, and more physical boys. I scored the only goal from a free kick just outside the box.  I was thinking that I had to score in order for us to lift the trophy. When the ball hit the back of the net I was relieved and I believe we deserved to win because we played the better football throughout the tournament.  I have learned that it is not always about being bigger, it is about football intelligence!

Now we are onto our next football challenge in Spain. Until then, Adios!!

Kappa Classic 2012

Day 2

Up first we faced Devonshire Colts at BFA Field and it was HOT! Colts played us hard and we had chances to go up but didn't take them.  I managed to take us ahead when Rye put a cross in and I tapped it in passed the diving goalie.  It was still very close and Colts pressed us until Rye ran down the right side to shoot past the rushing goalie.  When the final whistle blew we knew we had just finished a real battle.

With that win we were through to the quarter finals and so our next match against Devonshire Cougars allowed Coach Thompson to rest a few of the players.  Cougars played very well and we were having trouble scoring. At half time the score was still nil, nil and then Coach Thompson put me on.  Travis made a run and I saw him and sent him thru for him to give us the goal we needed. The game ended 1 nil to B.A.A.

Who should we face in the quarter finals, but Dandy Town.  They were bigger and stronger than us, but we stuck to our game plan, which is to play our style. Before they could use their size and strength Knory scored our first goal and then I knocked in the second.  Right after, Enrique made it 3 nil.  Dandy Town did manage to score late into the match, but it was not enough.  The win meant we would face the team that beat us in the finals last year, Hamiton Parish Hot Peppers!

Kappa Classic 2012

Day 1
It was the first day of the tournament and my team, BAA, played really well.  We played against Hamiton Parish and won 6 nil.  I scored two goals, one a superb header and the second one with a cross played in by my teammate. Knory scored three goals, Enrique scored one, and I scored two. Our second match was against Young Men's Social Club and we won 4 nil. I managed to score two more goals, Knory scored one, and Enrique scored one.
I think in the 1st game we played a bit timid and we started to play our style of football once we settled, with quick passes and movement off the ball. The other team played really well and as the game wore on we were able to gain control of the game.  Our 2nd game we started off really well and controlled the middle field.  It was faster and our opponents pushed us to raise our game.  In the end we were able to win and keep possession of the ball. Overall we had a really good performance and tomorrow will see us play tougher opponents: Devonshire Cougars and Devonshire Colts.

Thank You,

Kane

Kappa Classic 2012

Over the next few weeks my team will be preparing to play in the Kappa Classic 2012.  Last year we lost in the fnals and this year will be even tougher.  I am also getting ready to go to Barcelona for a week of training and matches against U.E. Cornella best players right after the tournament.  During our last visit I played against some very good boys.  I think both will be tough and I cannot wait until we leave!

BAA U.E. Cornella Football in Bermuda 2012

This past week I have been at a camp run by U.E. Cornella who have come all the way from Barcelona, Spain. It has been a really tough week of drills and small sided matches, but I have enjoyed all of it! My team B.A.A. also were coached by the Cornella coaches, Pablo and Andres. On the last day of the camp my group (U12s) had a competition called the CROSSBAR CHALLENGE and I ended up winning. The prize was a U.E. Cornella jersey which I had my coaches sign. Next up . . back to Spain in April for a week of training with the U.E. Cornella coaches with the rest of my B.A.A. teammates.

My coach autographs my jersey after winning CROSS BAR CHALENGE.

Until then, Adios amigos

October Trip to Barcelona

Today, Saturday, Oct 22 I leave with a few of my B.A.A. team-mates to go to Barcelona for a week of games and training at UD Cornella. I'm sooo excited about this trip and can't wait. We will be playing 7-a-side games and also get to train at their sports complex. On top of that we will be going to see a live match between Espanyol vs Betis and the most exciting thing is we get to see the Barcelona boys training grounds and hopefully get to watch them train!! YIPPEEE!!

Tour of a Lifetime August 3rd - August 24th

I had an amazing time over in Europe not only playing football but also learning about new countries. During my trip we crossed over into Belgium and Germany and although our time was short, it was well worth it. We visited the PSV Academy and saw a training session by 13 year olds. We also walked around Amsterdam and saw almost everybody riding bicycles. The highlight of the trip was going to watch Ajax play at the Amsterdam Arena.
The second part of my summer trip was meeting up with the Bermuda Brazilian Football School in Holland. We visited the Ajax training grounds and crossed over into Germany where we were coached by Bayer Leverkusen coaches. It was a busy tour and I had a great time. The experience should help me be a better player. I cannot wait until the season starts!!