Hart Selects 18-Players for Ballymena Internationa

[loyola]

Hart Selects 18-Players for Ballymena International Tournament

Stephen Hart

Ottawa, Ontario – Canada’s Junior Under-17 Team Head Coach Stephen Hart today announced his 18-player roster for the 5th Annual Ballymena International Tournament in County Antrim, Northern Ireland from April 29th to May 3rd, 2004. The squad will depart on Tuesday, April 20th and return following the tournament on Tuesday, May 4th.

Canada will play in Group A against Northern Ireland (April 29), Switzerland (April 30), and Finland (May 1). Austria, Belgium, Scotland, and the United States will compete in Group B. Playoff games will be played on May 3rd.

"We have been looking forward to these games for some time now,” said Hart. “This will be the first international outing for these players. Most of the teams involved have just finished their European Championships and will be well prepared to present a proper test for our players."

Hart is preparing his team for the Under-17 Qualifications set to begin early in 2005.

The young Canadians will be buoyed by the international experience of Bruno Napoleao of Edmonton, Alberta; Napoleao participated in the U-17 Development camp that traveled to Europe last May and competed against Austria and Slovakia.

The tournament will also be Hart’s first opportunity to assess Midfielder Robert Kerek of Freiburg, Germany. Kerek, who holds a Canadian passport, plays for SC Freiburg’s (Bundesliga) youth team.

More information on the Ballymena International Tournament can be found by visiting www.ballymena-tournament.org.

Tournament Schedule

April 29

CANADA vs. Northern Ireland

April 30

CANADA vs. Switzerland

May 1

CANADA vs. Finland

May 3

Playoff games

Roster

# Pos. Name Club/Training Centre Date of Birth Hometown Prov.

1 GK MONSALVE, David Ontario 21-Dec-88 Brampton ON

2 D LANG, Adam BC 09-Feb-88 Chilliwack BC

3 D ATTAKORA-GYAN, Nana Ontario 27-Mar-89 Orangeville ON

4 D NAPOLEAO, Bruno Alberta 13-Jan-88 Edmonton AB

5 D BRAICH, Harman Alberta 30-May-88 Edmonton AB

6 M KEREK, Robert SC Freiburg (Germany) 15-Jan-88 Freiburg GER

7 M OLIVEIRA, Kyle Ontario 04-Mar-88 Oakville ON

8 M SEMINARA, Pasubio Carlo Salernitana Sport S.p.A. (Italy) 24-May-88 Caledon East ON

9 F AYRE, Keegan BC 04-Jul-88 Coquitlam BC

10 F MAYARD, (Pierre) Rudolph Quebec 21-Feb-88 Montreal QC

11 F CLARKE, Shaun Quebec 09-Apr-88 St-Phillipe QC

12 F NUNEZ, Christian Quebec 07-Jul-88 Montreal QC

13 M MARAS, Marinko BC 18-Mar-89 Vancouver BC

14 M PEREIRA, Michael Ontario 09-Mar-89 London ON

15 M MARRELLO, Alex BC 28-Sep-88 Burnaby BC

16 M LAMMIE, Selvin (Shane) Ontario 03-Aug-88 Toronto ON

17 F BARDOSSY, Karl BC 10-Jan-88 Mission BC

22 GK NIERMANN, James Ontario 20-Aug-88 Collingwood ON

Staff

REDMOND, Doug Head of Delegation

HART, Stephen Head Coach

FLEMING, Sean Assistant Coach

LAARABI, Djamel GK Coach/Equip. Mgr.

ANTLE, Rob Referee

PELLEGRINO, Anthony Therapist

TBD Doctor

[Gian-Luca]

I'm assuming that Pasubio Carlo Seminara is the same person I had listed under the Canucks Abroad list as "Basi" Seminara - must be because the club, Salernitana, is the same.

Player #3 on that list has a cool name for the purposes of chants - let's hope he makes it to the pro level & national team one day.

[Ivan]

Napoleao and Seminara are the only names I recognize, not that that means anything. The only conspicuous absentee I can think of is Manny Gomez, the young lad at River Plate. I believe he is an '88.

[Brun06]

Manny is an 87 unfortunely. There's an 87 camp in july to minnesota.

[Canuck Oranje]

What about Troy Gardezy? He is an '88. He is still listed at Groningen.

[Brun06]

I don't think he's playing Holland anymore cuz I saw him in February in Vancouver. He is an 88 nevertheless but I believe he has some conflicts with stephen hart, that is unconfirmed.

[bc_soccer_fan]

It says that Robert Kerek is from Germany, so whats his connection to Canada?

[Guest Ed]

quote:Originally posted by bc_soccer_fan

It says that Robert Kerek is from Germany, so whats his connection to Canada?

I'm attempting to find out. There were a number of Cdns in the area in the 70s and 80s at the air base in Lahr and some still live there. Don't know if that is the connection or not.

[Canuck Oranje]

That would explain it. However, I believe the youth systems in the Netherlands have an extended winter break and Groningen being in the north.. Second, I also know the school systems have different breaks than we have here. So until confirmed, it remains a question mark...

quote:Originally posted by Brun06

I don't think he's playing Holland anymore cuz I saw him in February in Vancouver. He is an 88 nevertheless but I believe he has some conflicts with stephen hart, that is unconfirmed.

[Guest Can. in UK]

Canada drew 1-1 with N. Ireland in their first match. No details yet.

They'll play Switzerland today.

[BC supporter]

I read a brief account of the game in one of the Irish papers this morning. I was at a newsstand and did a quick skim so I wouldn't have to pay for the paper. (After finding a pint cost $6.50-$7.15 in Dublin, I'm having to economize elsewhere.)

Anyway, if I recall correctly, Canada scored after 4 minutes (possibly through Rudolph Mayard). Northern Ireland equalized before the half. The game ended 1-1 and goes in the books as a tie, but they used penalty kicks in case a decision is needed after Saturday's games to determine playoff positions. Northern Ireland won the penalty kicks, 5-4.

Canada plays Switzerland tonight (Friday) and Finland tomorrow (Saturday). Hopefully I'll get more info if I make it to Ballymena for the Finland game. BTW, in the other Group A game Thursday, the Swiss beat Finland 4-2.

[Guest Ed]

The website in the first post has the results from Thursday and should have results later today (our time) for Friday evening's action.

[George]

Belfast Telegraph Home > Sport > Football

NI lads held in opening game

30 April 2004

THERE were goals galore at the opening games of the fifth Ballymena International Tournament last night, but for Northern Ireland it was a disappointing start to their campaign.

They could only draw with first-time visitors Canada but at least the 1-1 scoreline keeps their hopes alive.

They had to battle for almost the second half after losing Ryan Harpur, red-carded for a tackle five minutes after the break.

Canada scored in the fourth minute after the game's first attack. Rudolph Maynard crashed through the middle, brushing aside several weak tackles before slipping the ball to Keegan Ayre to score.

Shane Mulgrew put his side back in the game ten minutes later when Kyle Agnew's back-header reached him ten yards out but the Canadians had the better of the first half.

The Irish had keeper Eugene Ferry to thank for staying in the game - he made three vital saves.

The Irish came more into the game after the interval with Chis Casement heading over and a stinging Robert Garrett shot which James Niermann dropped.

Down to ten men the home side worked hard and almost snatched glory in a strong finish.

Northern Ireland won a penalty shoot-out 5-4 to count only if needed to decide the position play-offs.

NORTHERN IRELAND: E Ferry, J MacAnulla, S Mulgrew, C Cathcart, G McConaghie, R Mullan, R Harpur, R Berry, D Craig, R Garrett, K Agnew. Subs: C Casement for Mullan (20), M Donnelly for Agnew (72), C Snow, D McAnerney, C Harris, W Gratten, G Megaw.

Earlier Finland and Switzerland had launched the tournament.

There was a cracking start, the Swiss scoring a goal after 29 secons, when Remo Staubli stabbed home from five yards but three minutes later Nicholas Kivisto cancelled it out when he headed home and then captain Joona Toivio put them ahead with a wind assisted free-kick.

Ivan Rakitic levelled and then put his side into the lead with a fierce 20 yard left-foot shotbut once again the Finns rallied and five minutes from time the fourth goal from Gashi Shakelzen made it safe for the Swiss, making them Section A leaders.

In Section B down at Wellington's ground in Larne, holders Scotland won 3-1 against Austria

At Inver Park, the USA beat Belgium 1-0 with a Brian Soroka goal.

This evening's matches: Northern Ireland v Finland (Welington Rec 7pm); Canada v Switzerland (Inver Park, 7.30pm); Belgium v Austria (Ballymena Showgrounds, 6pm); Scotland v USA (Ballymena Showgrounds, 8pm).

Back | Return to top | Printable Story

[Guest Ed]

Canada draws the Swiss 1-1 with a late goal against the run of play according to the match report at the tournament site. We won the PKs if they are needed to advance.

[loyola]

We have to beat Finland and hope for a tie between Northern Ireland and the Swiss if we want to play the Final.

I don't care where we finish in this tournament, I think it's a positive experience for those 15-16 yrs old to play 4 international friendly in one week.

[Winnipeg Fury]

The Canadian Soccer Association - l'Association canadienne de soccer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEN’S U-17 TEAM DRAW NORTHERN IRELAND 1-1

Canada Will Play Switzerland Today

Ottawa, Ontario – Canada’s Men’s Junior Under-17 Team drew Northern Ireland 1-1 on Thursday, April 29th while participating in the 5th Annual Ballymena International Tournament in Ballymena, Northern Ireland.

Midfielder Shane Lammie (Toronto, ON) scored the opening goal in the fourth minute of play. Northern Ireland evened the score in the 14th minute with a goal by Ryan Harper.

"At times we looked good and created several good goal scoring opportunities in both halves,” said Head Coach Stephen Hart. “This I view as positive. However, we failed to score more goals. Overall, our concentration must be better.”

“Four our first international game, there were some encouraging moments.”

Hart is preparing his team for the Under-17 Qualifications set to begin early in 2005.

The tournament will continue until May 3rd, 2004. More information on the Ballymena International Tournament can be found by visiting www.ballymena-tournament.org.

Tournament Schedule

April 30

CANADA vs. Switzerland

May 1

CANADA vs. Finland

May 3

Playoff games

Game Summary

April 29, 2004 - Ballymena International

Ballymena, Northern Ireland

Canada 1(1)

Northern Ireland 1(1)

Goals: CANADA – Lammie (4); NIR – Harper (14)

CANADA - 22-James Niermann; 3-Nana Attakora-Gyan; 4-Harmean Braich; 6-Robert Kerek; 7-Kyle Oliveira; 9-Keegan Ayre; 10-Pierre Mayard; 11-Shaun Clarke; 13-Marinko Maras; 15-Alex Marrello; 16-Shane Lammie;

Substitutes: 8-Pasubio Carlo Seminara (60); 17-Karl Bardossy (64)

Please see the attached news release for details.

CSA Communications Department

Phone: (613) 237-7678 ext. 242

Website: www.canadasoccer.com

[loyola]

Group A: Canada 1 - 1 Switzerland

Switzerland were well in control throughout the first half of their tie with Canada.

They started brightly and after 9 minutes Raphael Mollet had a good shot turned round the post by keeper James Niermann.

During a period of intense pressure around the 15 minute mark Niermann made further good saves from close-range shots by Moreno Costanzo and Alessandro Ciarrocchi.

Switzerland took the lead on 17 minutes when Costanzo carried the ball down the left and cut in to shoot home from 10 metres.

On 35 minutes Switzerland almost increased their lead when Ivan Rakitic flashed a left-foot volley just past the upright. Further Swiss pressure saw Ciarrocchi send a header just over the bar with only the goalkeeper to beat.

Canada's first dangerous shot came from Shaun Clarke with a dipping free kick which was well saved by Swiss keeper Kevin Fickentscher on 60 minutes. A minute later Ciarrocchi's shot from 6 metres was deflected over the Canadian crossbar.

The Swiss continued to attack and Shkelzen Gashi ghosed past two defenders and crossed to Carriocchi who volleyed over the bar. They missed a great opportunity when substitute Beqim Halimi failed to gather a long clearance from Mollet.

With just 3 minutes left Canada equalised against the run of play when a long-range shot from Nana Attakora-Gyan bounced badly for the Swiss keeper and went in.

Under the Tournament rules the teams took penalties which Canada won 4-3, but that only comes into play if those two teams finish level at the end of the group.

[BC supporter]

I made it to Ballymena -- an $80 train ride from Dublin -- for the Canada-Finland game. Finland won 2-1. Canada played hard, as you would expect, but overall it was pretty uninspiring. Hard to know the impact of playing 3 games in 3 nights.

It was a beautiful, sunny day, the best they'd had there in a while, people told me. Can't say I remember a lot about Canada's performance, other than being struck by how young these guys are. Finland, playing with a strong wind at their back, took the lead in the first half. Canada equalized on a Rudolph Mayard tap-in midway through the second, then Finland scored a crap goal late to win. I expect the Canadian players were pretty disappointed -- they needed to win to have a shot at getting into the final. As the sun went down (it was a 6:00 start) it got damn cold, and it was all I could handle just to make it through the first half of the second game. Don't know who got to the tournament final, but I suspect it was the US vs the winner of Northern Ireland-Switzerland.

Ballymena Showgrounds has a new 1,800-seat stand and, combined with the old stand, can seat about 3,000. For the Canada-Finland game the crowd was in the tens -- as in 20-25 people. I noted an older couple there with a hand-held Canadian flag; must have been someone's grandparents. Otherwise that was about it for Canadian support. For the second game, Northern Ireland v Switzerland, a few more people drifted in (perhaps 200 in total). Did I mention how cold it was? I talked to the conference organizer, who was very disappointed in attendance (this is the tournament's 4th or 5th year); she also told me, as did a tourist information official, that the Canadian boys "were very polite and extremely well-mannered". I told her we're like that when we travel, it's when we're at home we're rude like everybody else.

Ballymena itself, about 50 minutes from Belfast, is a nice enough looking town of 30,000 but seems a pretty conservative place. I'm not unhappy to be back in Dublin.

[beachesl]

Thanks for the first-hand piece, it gives us a good feel for the place and the event. And kudos for the trip, I know that in another land it's often difficult to grasp the initiative and strike out on your own.

[Guest Ed]

A few pictures are up at the tournament site with our boys featured against Northern Ireland and Switzerland.

[ray]

4th place match: Belgium 0 Canada 0 - Belgium wins 6-5 on penalties

http://www.ballymena-tournament.org/y2004/fixtures.html#4

Belgium had the better of the first half exchanges with Canada finding it difficult to get past a tight back four that had conceded only one goal in its three group matches, but with an attack that had yet to score.

It looked as if that situation was about to change in the 3rd minute when a mazy 40 metre run from right-sided midfielder, Cedric de Troetsel, almost brought a goal but David Monsalve flung himself low to save at the post.

It was Belgium who did most of the pressing with a saving tackle from Kyle Oliveira halting Jelle de Bock's run ten metres from goal.

A controversial offside decision ruled out a 25th minute chested effort by Canada's Alex Marrello when he ran from deep to put away Rudolph Mayard's curling cross.

Belgium's best chance came on 30 minutes but a first-time drive by Bastiaan Gheysen was cleared off the line by Harman Braich, leaving the game finely balanced at half-time.

Although play was end to end in the third quarter, neither side got into the opponent's penalty area until the 60th minute when substitute Wouter vandermieran forced Monsalve to make a brave double save as Belgium moved up a gear.

Openings began to appear for them and several minutes later, after a ball played through. Yusuf Nalinci fired his effort into the keeper's body as he sprawled to block. It was obvious that if there was going to be a winner it would be for the Belgians.

The Canadian's attack had failed to function in the half but in the last five minutes they had several half-chances. The best was from Shane Lammie who made a chance for himself, but dragged his shot wide when defender Daan Van Gijseghem did enough to put him off.

With the game deadlocked at 0 - 0, the winner of the Ballymena Bowl was decided in a penalty shoot-out which Belgium won by 6 goals to 5.

[The Beaver]

Not a bad tournament for our young lads, and an excellent experience. Playing quality European sides can only help. I was under the impression that this squad has not played a lot together, so these results are quite impressive. It is a positive step, for sure.

[kerek]

Well, we made it to Ballymena too.

Our son, Robert Kerek was member of the team.

So, we traveled from Freiburg (the metropolitan of the Black Forest in Germany) to Ballymena. so there where at least two more "Canadian" supporters. I am German, my wife is Canadian.

Robert is playing at SC Freiburg, U17.

We

quote:Originally posted by BC supporter

I made it to Ballymena -- an $80 train ride from Dublin -- for the Canada-Finland game. Finland won 2-1. Canada played hard, as you would expect, but overall it was pretty uninspiring. Hard to know the impact of playing 3 games in 3 nights.

It was a beautiful, sunny day, the best they'd had there in a while, people told me. Can't say I remember a lot about Canada's performance, other than being struck by how young these guys are. Finland, playing with a strong wind at their back, took the lead in the first half. Canada equalized on a Rudolph Mayard tap-in midway through the second, then Finland scored a crap goal late to win. I expect the Canadian players were pretty disappointed -- they needed to win to have a shot at getting into the final. As the sun went down (it was a 6:00 start) it got damn cold, and it was all I could handle just to make it through the first half of the second game. Don't know who got to the tournament final, but I suspect it was the US vs the winner of Northern Ireland-Switzerland.

Ballymena Showgrounds has a new 1,800-seat stand and, combined with the old stand, can seat about 3,000. For the Canada-Finland game the crowd was in the tens -- as in 20-25 people. I noted an older couple there with a hand-held Canadian flag; must have been someone's grandparents. Otherwise that was about it for Canadian support. For the second game, Northern Ireland v Switzerland, a few more people drifted in (perhaps 200 in total). Did I mention how cold it was? I talked to the conference organizer, who was very disappointed in attendance (this is the tournament's 4th or 5th year); she also told me, as did a tourist information official, that the Canadian boys "were very polite and extremely well-mannered". I told her we're like that when we travel, it's when we're at home we're rude like everybody else.

Ballymena itself, about 50 minutes from Belfast, is a nice enough looking town of 30,000 but seems a pretty conservative place. I'm not unhappy to be back in Dublin.

[kerek]

Well, we made it to Ballymena too.

Our son, Robert Kerek was member of the team.

So, we traveled from Freiburg (the metropolitan of the Black Forest in Germany) to Ballymena. so there where at least two more "Canadian" supporters. I am German, my wife is Canadian.

Robert is playing at SC Freiburg, U17.

We

quote:Originally posted by BC supporter

I made it to Ballymena -- an $80 train ride from Dublin -- for the Canada-Finland game. Finland won 2-1. Canada played hard, as you would expect, but overall it was pretty uninspiring. Hard to know the impact of playing 3 games in 3 nights.

It was a beautiful, sunny day, the best they'd had there in a while, people told me. Can't say I remember a lot about Canada's performance, other than being struck by how young these guys are. Finland, playing with a strong wind at their back, took the lead in the first half. Canada equalized on a Rudolph Mayard tap-in midway through the second, then Finland scored a crap goal late to win. I expect the Canadian players were pretty disappointed -- they needed to win to have a shot at getting into the final. As the sun went down (it was a 6:00 start) it got damn cold, and it was all I could handle just to make it through the first half of the second game. Don't know who got to the tournament final, but I suspect it was the US vs the winner of Northern Ireland-Switzerland.

Ballymena Showgrounds has a new 1,800-seat stand and, combined with the old stand, can seat about 3,000. For the Canada-Finland game the crowd was in the tens -- as in 20-25 people. I noted an older couple there with a hand-held Canadian flag; must have been someone's grandparents. Otherwise that was about it for Canadian support. For the second game, Northern Ireland v Switzerland, a few more people drifted in (perhaps 200 in total). Did I mention how cold it was? I talked to the conference organizer, who was very disappointed in attendance (this is the tournament's 4th or 5th year); she also told me, as did a tourist information official, that the Canadian boys "were very polite and extremely well-mannered". I told her we're like that when we travel, it's when we're at home we're rude like everybody else.

Ballymena itself, about 50 minutes from Belfast, is a nice enough looking town of 30,000 but seems a pretty conservative place. I'm not unhappy to be back in Dublin.

[beachesl]

Wilkommen! Thanks for the post Herr Kerek.

How's your son Robert doing now in terms of playing football? Is he planning to come to Canada to play in the U-17 CONCACAF qualifiers for the Peru Worlds next summer? Born in 1988 means that he is still a U-17 for that, right?