Eccleston shining in middle east tourny

[Harv]

This lad is going to be a star i reckon

Nathan Eccleston has given another example of his goalscoring prowess by hitting a hat-trick against Brazilian side Fluminese during the Under-18s Zayed tournament in Abu Dhabi.

Hughie McAuley's side have been in the Middle East over the past week for the competition, during which time they have taken on Brazilian side Fluminese, Spain's Atletico Madrid and local outfit Al Wahda.

The five team tournament has been a great experience for the Academy side, although results have been mixed for the youngsters.

England youth international Eccleston scored a memorable treble against the Brazilian outfit in the first game but it was to be a mere consolation in the end as Fluminese eventually won 4-3.

A goal from Adam Pepper helped the Reds record their only win in the tournament so far when they beat local side Al Wahda, but that success was quickly tempered by a 5-0 defeat at the hands of Athletico Madrid.

The Under-18s play Italian side Genova in their final game on Tuesday afternoon before flying back to England.

Academy Technical Manager Piet Hamberg told Liverpoolfc.tv: "The trip has been a fantastic experience for the youngsters.

"The facilities have been first class and we have been well looked after. We have given a very good account of ourselves in the tournament and it has been an honour for us to be over here.

"We played very well in the first game against Fluminese and we were 2-1 up at one stage before we eventually lost 4-3.

"We got our first win against Al Wahda when Adam Pepper scored but then it was disappointing to lose 5-0 to Atletico Madrid. We had a man sent off and their team were more experienced than us. They had players two years older than us and it makes a big difference at this level."

[Rafa Shankly]

well done lad,would be great to see a few of these lads make the break through.

[Imy]

it'd also be nice if the liverpool tv channel had some coverage

[Parm]

it'd also be nice if the liverpool tv channel had some coverage

Sack Parry.

[carlton]

From the Offal

U-18S END TOUR ON A HIGH
Steve Hunter 25 March 2008
Liverpool Under-18s ended their tour of the Middle East with a 3-1 win over Italian side Genoa in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday afternoon with goals coming from Nathan Eccleston, Sean Highdale and Astrit Ajdarevic.
Hughie McAuley's side have been in the Middle East over the past week for the Zayed tournament in Abu Dhabi, and they leave with a record of two wins and two defeats.

Top scorer Eccleston ended the tournament with four goals, including a fine strike against Genoa in the final game.

Reds Under-18s boss Hughie McAuley told Liverpoolfc.tv: "It was nice to end the tournament with a win and we played some good football against decent opposition.

"It has been a great experience for us to come to the Middle East and although results have been up and down we are very pleased with the effort of the boys.

"To play four 90 minute games in six days is hard going and it has been a good test for us.

"In our first game against Fluminese we were very unfortunate not to win. Nathan scored a hat-trick but we lost 4-3 and had our goalkeeper Martin Hansen sent off.

"We got a win against local side Al Wahda in the second game when Adam Pepper scored but then it was disappointing to lose 5-0 to the Spanish team Atletico Madrid. We had a man sent off against Atletico and we conceded some bad goals, so it was nice to see us bounce back against Genoa.

"This was an Under-19 tournament and for the lads under 16 like Adam Pepper, Jack Metcalf and Michael Roberts the experience for them has been invaluable."