International Academy Aspiring To High Standards

- Youngsters are maintaining their excellent work ethic, according to Joint Head Coach Alistair Heath 

- LCFCIA shared five goals with Mansfield Town’s Under-18s in a competitive match on Tuesday at Belvoir Drive 

As the International Academy continued their regular games programme, Joint Head Coach Alistair Heath revealed the high standards the youngsters are reaching in both their education and football. 

Their first full term at Leicester’s Ratcliffe College has seen them resume their studies of core subjects while they continue adjust to life as young footballers in England. 

Running parallel to their education is a series of testing fixtures that have seen the LCFCIA so far undertake some tough challenges. 

This continued on Tuesday as they faced a Mansfield Town’s Under-18s for the second time in seven days, having been narrowly beaten by the Nottinghamshire outfit 3-2 at Brooksby Melton College on 6 October. 

Despite being beaten, the LCFCIA earned plenty of plaudits from their coaches for their organisation and ability to adhere to the tactics issued to them. 

Thrilled to see the LCFCIA’s youngsters fully committed in their studies and on the pitch, Alistair said: “These players are fantastic, they really are. They always train to a very high standard and the Mansfield game was another good learning process. 

“Their education and football combined is all one big learning development. Over the next 24 hours, they’ll reflect and think about how they can see out games when it gets tough and whether we can change our style of play to adjust to the battle that it was at times.” 

Their neat passing and composed defending was again evident in Tuesday’s return fixture against Mansfield as the LCFCIA charged into a two-goal lead in the first period, before eventually going on to lose the game 3-2 at Belvoir Drive. 

The Foxes started with real intent and it was Anan Surattanasin who fired his side in front as the striker latched onto a neat through-ball and slotted in with 15 minutes on the clock. 

Phuwanart Khaiykaew and Jirattikan Vapilai then went close for the International Academy, before they both combined to score the second goal. Khaiykaew’s pin-point corner to the front post was met by Vapilai, who rose above his marker to nod in and make it 2-0 on 26 minutes. 

The visitors responded well and only three good stops from goalkeeper Kantaphat Manpati would keep LCFCIA’s clean sheet intact at the break. 

Mansfield pulled one back just before the hour mark as substitute shot-stopper Jakkrit Wisetrat couldn’t quite get a hand to a powerful header. 

Leicester went in search of a third goal to restore their two-goal advantage shortly after as Somprasong Promsorn, Vapilai and Tawin Mahajindawong all went close in quick succession. 

But it was Mansfield who would go on to win the game as they drew level on 70 minutes, before striking in injury time to emerge as 3-2 victors. 

Reflecting on the game, Alistair added: “It was a tough second half. We played well in the first half but in the second half, our concentration levels dropped and Mansfield stepped up their performance. We’re capable of much more. 

“It just wouldn’t quite fall for us. We didn’t have too much of a killer instinct and against a team like Mansfield who are quick on the counter attack, we didn’t caused enough problems. 

“We’re working in training and there’s things that we need to keep at to go on and win the game – the composure on the ball and concentration levels. Those aspects are important to learn. 

“There were some nice exchanges of play, we’ve just got to learn to put in the complete performance.” 

We’ll keep you up-to-date with the International Academy’s progression right here at LCFC.com.