Late Foxes Salvo Seals International Cup Progress
Following Dylan Vente’s first half opener, Josh Knight levelled after the break before Muskwe, who had missed an earlier penalty, sealed safe passage with two late strikes in snowy conditions.
City’s Under-23s have enjoyed a patch of fine form in Premier League 2, with four successive victories - and nine games unbeaten in all competitions - propelling them into second in Division 1.
Heading into this International Cup fixture, the Foxes needed a win to confirm second place in Group B in the knowledge that it would be enough to seal safe passage into the next round.
Senior Professional Development Phase Coach Steve Beaglehole, who was in the role when City’s youngsters reached the semi-finals in 2015, made just one change to his starting XI.
Following last week’s Premier League Cup draw at Norwich City, Under-18s captain Luke Thomas was replaced by Ryan Loft, with an FA Youth Cup Fifth Round tie on Wednesday.
In Brief: Leicester City U23s 3 Feyenoord U23s 1
A brief summary of the action at Holmes Park between Leicester City's Under-23s and Feyenoord in the Premier League International Cup.
Chiefly among the Under-23s’ arsenal this season has been their home venue in Whetstone with Holmes Park providing an immaculate pitch and a tight, intimidating atmosphere.
Tuesday night was no different and the Foxes emerged from the tunnel, with pleasantries exchanged, in a hungry mood for goals in the early moments.
While they were chasing every ball, it was in fact their visitors from Rotterdam who carved out the first opening as Joël Zwarts, the competition’s top scorer, drilled it wide from distance.
Soon after, meanwhile, Knight, December’s PL2 Player of the Month, drove forward and slotted in Muskwe, who was denied by Joris Delle in the net.
Minutes later, Muskwe was felled in the 18-yard box by left-back Ridgeciano Haps and the Zimbabwe international striker stepped up to take the spot-kick – saved well by Delle.
That frustration was added to further when Feyenoord took the lead with six minutes to go in the first half as Vente headed Orkan Kökçü’s corner back across goal and past Johansson.
So 'De Stadionclub' went in at the break with a one-goal lead, but it took City until just the 56th minute to repair the damage as Knight added his second goal in this competition.
Callum Wright’s corner was allowed to trickle through the penalty area and Knight, perched patiently at the far post, was able to cushion the ball beyond Delle and into the bottom corner.
Leicester’s second half resurgence continued and, with 15 minutes to go, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall floated a perfect corner onto the head of Muskwe, who nodded it in to make it 2-1 to the hosts.
Later on, with 84 minutes on the clock, Dewsbury-Hall and Knight exchanged the ball before the latter found Tyrese Shade, who in turn located Muskwe to double his tally and seal the points.
Who impressed?
“At times Josh Knight has been inspirational for his team-mates.” – Matt Elliott, LCFC TV.
After being named Premier League 2 Player of the Month in December, Josh Knight’s form continues to catch the eye in the heart of defence for the Foxes.
The Fleckney-based centre-back delivered a host of firm challenges to steal possession from Feyenoord while it was his goalscoring touch which got the home side back in it.
Where does it leave us?
📊 How the final Group B standings shape up...#lcfcu23s pic.twitter.com/MGrTqRRR9O
— Leicester City (@LCFC) January 29, 2019
City’s youngsters climb to second in Group B with six points and, as one of two best-placed runners-up, alongside Dinamo Zagreb of Group A, they qualify for the quarter-finals.
Coming up…
Having not ran out in Premier League 2 since mid-January, the Foxes return to Division 1 duties next Monday for a clash with 11th-placed Blackburn Rovers at Leyland County Ground.
That 7pm GMT kick-off will be available on LCFC TV from 15 minutes before kick-off, with live commentary coming from John Dunn and former City defender Sean St Ledger.
The details…
City: Johansson, Johnson (c), Knight, Pascanu, Ughelumba, Dewsbury-Hall, Kaba Sherif, Shade (Edwards-John 90'), Wright, Loft, Muskwe
Subs not used: Davies, Bolkiah, Tee
Goals: Knight 56’, Muskwe 75’, 84’