Our academy’s U12 team returned home with the trophy from Budafok, where they proved to be the best of the eight teams taking part in the 4th Zakariás Cup. The side coached by Hodgyai László and Barabási Roland defeated Puskás Academy in the final after a penalty shootout, while Tóth Krisztián was named the best player of the tournament.

Our academy’s U12 team returned home with the trophy from Budafok, where they proved to be the best of the eight teams taking part in the 4th Zakariás Cup. The side coached by Hodgyai László and Barabási Roland defeated Puskás Academy in the final after a penalty shootout, while Tóth Krisztián was named the best player of the tournament.

The 2014 age group of the Szeklerland Football Academy (SZLA) had the opportunity to measure its current form and strength at a high-level international tournament. The 4th Zakariás Cup, held in Budafok, featured eight teams divided into two groups of four. In Group A, DAC Academy, Puskás Academy, TSC Bačka Topola Academy and the SZLA U12 team faced each other, while in Group B, hosts BMTE, Real Betis, ESMTK and Partium LA battled for a place in the semi-finals.

The tournament got off to a difficult start for our team. In the opening match against TSC Bačka Topola Academy, we managed to take the lead, but after several missed chances, the opponents turned the game around and, at one point, were leading 3–1. The boys showed great character, however, fighting their way back into the match and eventually rescuing a 3–3 draw.

In the second group match, Puskás Academy ruthlessly punished our individual mistakes and deservedly won 4–1. This meant that before the third match, the stakes were clear: the winner would advance to the semi-finals alongside Puskás Academy. Against DAC Academy, our team mobilised all of its remaining energy, played with full concentration throughout, and scored the winning goal after winning the ball through pressing and launching a quick attack, finished off after an unselfish team move. The 1–0 win was enough to reach the semi-finals.

On Sunday, in the semi-final against hosts BMTE, our team took the lead almost straight from kick-off, after roughly 15 seconds. From that point on, the boys played with confidence, controlled the match, created several chances and, after scoring again in the second half, advanced to the final with a 2–0 victory.

In the final, Puskás Academy were once again the opponents, giving our team the opportunity to take revenge for the defeat suffered in the group stage.

“The children, and we as coaches as well, together with my colleague Barabási Roland, were really looking forward to this match. We knew that the result of the first meeting did not realistically reflect the difference between the two teams. This situation was not unfamiliar to us, as last year in Cegléd we had a similar experience: back then, we eventually went through on penalties against a team that had beaten us 5–1 in the group stage,” recalled coach Hodgyai László.

The final was an extremely tight contest, with regular time ending in a 0–0 draw. In the penalty shootout, however, our team proved calmer, winning 3–1 and securing the tournament victory.

“We know that penalty shootouts usually depend to a large extent on luck as well, but personally I am very happy that things turned out this way, because it is excellent feedback for the children: this time, in addition to hard work, luck was also on our side. Over the course of the five matches, their attitude changed a great deal, the team cohesion became stronger, and everyone put a tremendous amount of work into this shared success. That is why I believe they fully deserve this recognition,” Hodgyai László said in his assessment.

The team’s success was also crowned by an individual award: Tóth Krisztián was chosen as the best player of the tournament.

Hodgyai László also made special mention of the attitude shown by the opponents and the organisers.

“I would like to congratulate all four of our opponents and the fellow coaches for their fair play. Just like us, they also took part in the tournament in order to get a proper picture of their team’s current level. Regardless of the result, every coach gave playing time to all available players, which is a particularly valuable approach at this age group. I would also like to give special thanks to the organisers for the professional conditions, the extremely friendly welcome, and for giving these Szekler children the opportunity to watch Friday’s Hungary–Finland international match live.”

The tournament in Budafok was a special conclusion for this age group: for Hodgyai László and Barabási Roland, it was the final tournament of a two-year journey together with the 2014 team.

“Roli and I would like to take this opportunity to thank our club, FK Csíkszereda, for giving us the chance over the past two years to participate in many prestigious international tournaments. We also cannot fail to mention the support of the parents. We are grateful for the sacrifices with which they accompanied this journey: not sparing themselves from fatigue, financial burdens and, in many cases, days off work in order to support their children and us as well. We wish the team every success in the future! The 2014 generation will forever remain in our hearts, and wherever your path may lead, you will always remain our little team, boys!” Hodgyai László concluded.

Our results at the 4th Zakariás Cup

Group matches:
SZLA U12 – TSC Bačka Topola Academy 3–3
SZLA U12 – Puskás Academy 1–4
SZLA U12 – DAC Academy 1–0

Semi-final:
SZLA U12 – BMTE 2–0

Final:
SZLA U12 – Puskás Academy 0–0, 3–1 on penalties

Special award:
Best player of the tournament: Tóth Krisztián