The International Football Academy once again gave young players a great opportunity and experience by taking part in the Copa Crozada for the third year in a row. This is a very well-organised, high-level tournament held in Parma.
IFA entered two teams, made up of some of the best young players from around Malta, in the 2014 and 2015 age groups.
Both teams had similar results in the group stage. Out of six matches each, they both won four, drew one, and lost one with an identical 2-0 score.
The Mighty Maroons (2015 team) started strongly with a 6-0 win against Real Valpolicella Blu. They then lost 2-0 to Langhiranese. In their third match, they led 3-1 but conceded late and drew 3-3 with Audace. The team responded well, beating Oratorio Orbassano Blu 4-0 with a great performance. They then won 5-0 against Guastalla and finished the group with a tight 2-1 win over San Colombano. However, their 13 points were not enough to reach the finals at the Stadio Tardini. They instead played two more matches at the F. Belle Sports Centre to fight for 7th place, winning both 2-0 against Real Valpolicella Blu and Real Valpolicella Gialla.
The Burgundy Battlers (2014 team) began with a 4-0 win over Oratorio Orbassano but then lost 2-0 to Arsenal Parma Gialla. They bounced back with a 3-1 win against Felino and a 1-0 win over Progetto Montagna. In their fifth match, they beat Campiglione 2-0, leaving them just three points short of qualification for the Tardini. Their final group match against Langhiranese was very close, with both teams needing a win. The opponents scored first, but IFA equalised. Despite pushing hard for a winner, the match ended 1-1, and the team finished fourth in the group. They then played two more matches to keep their position, winning 2-1 against Audace and 3-0 against X Martiri.
Overall, although the teams did not achieve their goal of playing at the Tardini for the third time, it was still a memorable experience. With the support of the International Football Academy, these young players continue to get chances to compete in top-level tournaments.
Off the pitch, the players also had the chance to meet former football stars such as Fausto Pizzi, Alessandro Melli, and Atalanta and Parma legend Domenico Morfeo.
They also enjoyed a tour of the Ennio Tardini Stadium, where the Copa Crozada final presentation took place.
The teams were coached by Nicky Baldacchino and Rowen Camilleri.
