Assistant coach Phil Jevons is optimistic Everton Under-18s can make it into the Dallas Cup semi-finals if the players repeat their efforts from the victory against Kyoto Sanga in their final group match.
Monday’s 2-1 success resurrected hopes of progressing and another win over Real Salt Lake on Wednesday is needed to give the Young Blues hope of making into the knockout stages.
The American side currently top the group having won both their previous matches but Everton can draw level with them on six points with a win.
If the margin of victory is two goals or more, the Toffees will finish ahead of Real Salt Lake.
That still wouldn’t necessarily guarantee qualification as Tigres, who beat Everton 1-0 in the opening match, could also still finish with six points.
A win for Everton, however, would give Kevin Sheedy’s side a strong chance of at least claiming the best runners-up spot.
“That was the main thing on Monday - we needed the result to give us a chance,” Jevons told evertonfc.com. “We needed the win and we got it.
“The lads’ effort over the last two games has been unbelievable. The work-rate and attitude that they have shown has been a credit to the Club. We deserved nothing other than the victory.
“We spoke to the boys after the Kyoto Sanga game about how they have had to face real adversity over the last two days for different reasons. In the second half, they [Kyoto Sanga] got a goal back from a penalty and we [the staff] were wondering how the players would react.
“We raised our game again, went to another level and got the victory we deserved.”
Jevons heaped praise on Delial Brewster, whose fine run and finish with a quarter of an hour remaining secured the 2-1 win against Kyoto Sanga.
He added: “Delial’s up there on his own sometimes when we are out of possession but he comes alive when we win the ball back. He was an absolute threat throughout the game and was unplayable at times.
“He was strong, quick, aggressive and direct. He won the penalty, scored a goal and could have had another. He was head and shoulders above everyone.”
Monday’s 2-1 success resurrected hopes of progressing and another win over Real Salt Lake on Wednesday is needed to give the Young Blues hope of making into the knockout stages.
The American side currently top the group having won both their previous matches but Everton can draw level with them on six points with a win.
If the margin of victory is two goals or more, the Toffees will finish ahead of Real Salt Lake.
That still wouldn’t necessarily guarantee qualification as Tigres, who beat Everton 1-0 in the opening match, could also still finish with six points.
A win for Everton, however, would give Kevin Sheedy’s side a strong chance of at least claiming the best runners-up spot.
“That was the main thing on Monday - we needed the result to give us a chance,” Jevons told evertonfc.com. “We needed the win and we got it.
VIDEO: The goals, plus reaction from assistant coach @PhillipJevons, after the 2-1 win for #EFCU18 over Kyoto Sanga.https://t.co/bDlWsCukBL
— Everton (@Everton) March 21, 2016
“The lads’ effort over the last two games has been unbelievable. The work-rate and attitude that they have shown has been a credit to the Club. We deserved nothing other than the victory.
“We spoke to the boys after the Kyoto Sanga game about how they have had to face real adversity over the last two days for different reasons. In the second half, they [Kyoto Sanga] got a goal back from a penalty and we [the staff] were wondering how the players would react.
“We raised our game again, went to another level and got the victory we deserved.”
Jevons heaped praise on Delial Brewster, whose fine run and finish with a quarter of an hour remaining secured the 2-1 win against Kyoto Sanga.
He added: “Delial’s up there on his own sometimes when we are out of possession but he comes alive when we win the ball back. He was an absolute threat throughout the game and was unplayable at times.
“He was strong, quick, aggressive and direct. He won the penalty, scored a goal and could have had another. He was head and shoulders above everyone.”
