Draw with Seoul sees Academy team unbeaten in group play in South Korean Tournament
MIAMI (August 13, 2019) — The Club Internacional de Fútbol Miami U17-18 Academy team played its second official match in Pohang, South Korea, drawing 1-1 against Seoul E in the 2019 K League U-17 Championship tournament.
Senior Academy Director Jason Kreis opted to maintain a similar formation with 4-3-3, rotating players across multiple positions. Goalkeeper Ralph Moreno made his debut starting in goal behind defenders Kai Thomas, Fabrizio Cubbedu, Esteban Espinosa and Noah Allen. The midfield took shape with Nico Perreria, Ian Fray and Francisco Raggio, who wore the Team Captain’s armband. Up top, the attacking trio was led by Moises Cuartas, Brian Hernandez and Nico Diaz.
Inter Miami CF fell behind early in the match when the South Korean side took the lead in the 18th minute. A rapid response from the Academy saw the equalizer just two minutes later, when Nico Diaz struck the ball out of the air after receiving a well-placed ball from Raggio,17, played across the face of the goal.
“It was a hard game with them [Seoul E] being were very compact in the back. They took the lead off a mistake from us but once we got our lines up and kept working, we were able to get the equalizing goal,” said Raggio, the Miami Beach native who previously played for Florida Soldiers. “The intensity and possession in the second half was ours, but it was one of those days where the ball didn’t seem to go in.”
Inter Miami CF will play its next match on Thursday, Aug. 15, against Daejeon in the 2019 K League U-17 Championship Tournament. With the top of each group advancing, a win or draw would position the team well for qualification into the semifinals hosted on Monday, Aug. 19.
Details of the game:
Scoring Summary:
IMCF – Nico Diaz (Francisco Raggio) 18’
Lineups/Substitutions:
Inter Miami CF: GK Ralph Moreno, D Kai Thomas, Fabrizio Cubbedu, Esteban Espinosa, Noah Allen, M Nico Perreria (Edison Azcona ‘57), Francisco Raggio, Ian Fray (Andres Torrealba ‘60), F Moises Cuartas (Andres Cardenas ‘51), Nico Diaz (Jason Bucknor ‘68), Brian Hernandez (Alexander Lozano ‘55)
SUBSTITUTES NOT USED: GK Mauricio Uribe, M Giancarlo Gonzalez.
