Kozhikde: Watford FC U-21 defeated Romanian side FC Rapid Bucuresti 2-0 in the fifth match of the 36th Sait Nagjee International Football tournament in Kozhikode.
Watford U-21 looked to play with a positive intent right from the start as they made frequent attacks in the line of defense of the Romanian side . FC Rapid Bucuresti was not far behind as a long range effort from Madalin Martin of Bucuresti in the 13th minute was palmed away by Watford goalie Luke Simpson . Rapid looked more dangerous in the first 20 minutes of the match. But Watford’s goalkeeper stood tall under the bars making some brilliant saves from Tudoran, Raiciu and Popa of Rapid. In the 23rd minute of the match the English side broke the deadlock and scored a brilliant goal through a corner from Mensah which was pounced back by the goalie Botas of Rapid and Alex Jakubiak scored through a rebound shot. In 38th minute of the match FC Rapid’s Nicusor Fota goes into the book for a late challenge. Just before the end of the first half Watford could have got a 2-0 lead but Simpson of Watford palmed away a weak shot from Madalin Martin. At the end of the first half the scoreline showed in favour of the English side Watford FC U-21 leading 1-0 against FC rapid Bucuresti. Botas of Rapid had a poor time under the bars.
In the beginning of the second half, Rapid tried to push in hard with the flanks but poor finishing let them down . Watford’s keeper Luke Simpson made some brilliant save in the second half too to deny Rapid the equalizer. Sean Murray’s shot was blocked in the 55th minutes of the match. In the 57th minute of the match Watford got their second goal again from a corner , this time through Mensah who assisted in the first goal. In the next 25 minutes of the match it was Watford who dominated using their flanks and midfield in tandem . Their defense looked quite stable. In the mean time Rapid FC was reduced to 10 men as one of their player was sent off due to a rough tackle against a Watford player. In the 76th minute of the match Watford’s Jakubiak missed a sitter from a 2-yard distance. At the final whistle it was Watford U-21 2-0 FC Rapid Bucuresti. It was a comprehensive victory for the Harry Kewell managed side after their loss against Atletico Paranaense in the first match .