Elite Finals Roundup (2012)

The Mexico national team celebrate their win over Denmark in the 2012 NI Milk Cup Elite Section Final

Elite Finals Roundup (2012)

Mexico turned on the second half style to claim the Elite Section prize at the Ballymena Showgrounds on Thursday night.

Holders Denmark simply couldn’t live with the Mexicans as they turned on the style after the break with goals from Manuel Corona, Julio Gomez and Arturo Gonzalez.

This tournament has been part of a European tour and as goalkeeper Richard Sanchez explains they will leave with happy memories.

“We have enjoyed this very much,” Sanchez said.

“The time we have spent here has been a lot of fun and we love to come to tournaments like this to show there is talent in Mexico.

“I think the fact it involves national teams means we get to test ourselves against some bit football nations.

“There has been a lot of work put into youth football in Mexico and they’re doing a really good job and we’re very happy.”

It was a goalless first half, but there was no shortage of talking points for the bumper crowd at Warden Street.

Mexico went close to taking the lead firstly through Manuel Corona’s dipping free-kick, which fell just the wrong side of Jakob Busk Jensen’s goal.

The Danes responded with Yussuf Poulsen’s fierce drive across the face of goal, which Richard Sanchez did well to turn away a few minutes later.

Jesus Alonso Escoboza almost found the net when he received a pass straight from Julio Gomez’s clever corner, however his half volley was met by Jensen down to his right.

Just a few minutes from the break Gomez turned provided when his quick throw in set Corona free just outside the box.

However the nippy forward dinked his effort just over the bar under the attention of Lukas Lerager inside the box.

Five minutes into the new half Patrick Olsen tried his luck from all of 30 yards and his stinging drive was shovelled round the post in unconvincing fashion by Sanchez.

Two minutes later and Corona was lurking again with Escoboza’s teasing low cross being cleared to safety before the Mexico frontman could get there.

With 56 minutes played we had the breakthrough, and fittingly it was Manuel Corona who devliered it.

Gomez accelerated down the right flank and hung a deep cross to the back post where Corona was waiting to nod his side into the lead from no more than three yards out.

Ten minutes later and the next opportunity of note also fell the Mexicans way with Alberto Gurrola’s ball from the right finding Escoboza unmarked 10 yards out, but his weak contact with the ball let him down.

With 17 minutes on the clock the game was beyond Denmark’s reach and it was the two main protagonists from the first goal who swapped roles.

This time Corona floated in an inviting cross from the right and Gomez flicked the ball beyond Jensen with the back of his head to make it 2-0.

Four minutes later and the South Americans put the icing on the cake.

Alberto Trevino’s quick throw on the right found Martin Galvan just inside the box and his turn and cross was finished off by Arturo Gonzalez all alone inside the box.

With ten minutes left Denmark had a penalty appeal waved away despite Alerto Guzman appearing to fell Emiliano Marcondes inside the box.

Meanwhile, Northern Ireland rounded up their Milk Cup week with a win at a sunbathed Riada Stadium yesterday.

Stephen Robinson’s young side ran out slender 1-0 winners over a capable Turkish side, thanks to sub Liam McAlinden’s eye-catching second half strike.