Match Report: Narrow defeat to WHUFC U21 in Premier League International Cup opener (1-0)

VCF Mestalla played this Tuesday evening in London against West Ham United FC in the match corresponding to the opening day of the Premier League International Cup, an international U21 competition organised by the Premier League in which 24 teams from 12 teams from England and another 12 teams from countries such as Spain, Germany, France, Netherlands, Czech Republic, Scotland, Croatia and Portugal take part.

The team coached by Miguel Angel Angulo, semi-finalists in this competition last year, initially tried to contain the start of West Ham and found the first dangerous breaks down the flanks with Gurendal and Carlos Aleman on the right and Diego Moreno and Simon Luca on the left.

The game was a heavily contested one by both teams, which was decided in the closing minutes. West Ham United FC  took the lead in the 78th minute when Gideon Kodua beat Vassi after a good recovery by the English side.

VCF Mestalla looked for an equaliser in the closing stages and came close with an Otorbi effort that skimmed just wide of the post.

The next fixture in this competition will be against Brighton and Hove Albion FC on 4 October, also on English soil, followed by a visit to Southampton FC at the end of November and the group stage against Chelsea FC in January 2024.

Match Sheet:

West Ham United U21s: Anang, Chesters (Robinson 67), Laing (Tarima 81), Casey ©, Luizão, Scarles (Battrum 90+6), Kelly, Orford, Kodua, Marshall, Earthy (Moore 81).

Unused subs: Knightbridge, Bates, Woods.

VCF Mestalla: Vassilev Borisov (GK), Alemán Castillo, González, Iranzo (c), Gasiorowski, Santiago, Calvo Montón, García López, Moreno, Luis Pérez, Gurendal.

Subs: Ruiz, Muñoz, Nuñez, Fadal, Navarro, Santana, Otorbi.

Goals: Gideon Kodua (78').

Observations: Premier League International Cup match held at the Chigwell Construction Stadium, Dagenham (UK).