It’s goals galore from RIASA team
A squad of soccer players from Leeds-based RIASA caused a storm recently in China with their amazing goal-scoring which led them all the way to the Final.
It was all thanks to their participation in the International Junior Football Championship, which features 16 university teams from across the world including the UK, Pakistan, South Korea, China and the Czech Republic. This year was the fourth annual tournament, held in Shenzhen, China, neighbouring Hong Kong.
The RIASA (Richmond International Academic and Soccer Academy) team dominated from the start, winning all three games in their group and becoming the highest scoring team in the tournament.
Group Game 1 vs. Changchun University (6-0)
Group Game 2 vs. University of Hong Kong (12-0)
Group Game 3 vs. University of Sindh (6-0)
After these three resounding successes, a further two matches ensured the team a place in the Final:
Quarter-Final vs. Spin United FC (8-1)
Semi-Final vs. Gimhae University (2-1)
Final vs. University of Economics, Prague (1-4)
RIASA’s Head Coach, Rob Jones, who accompanied the team, said, “We unfortunately lost in the final, after playing six games in six days, but the lads showed fantastic endeavour throughout the tournament. We were also very proud of Immanuel Kinuthia winning top scorer of the tournament in the University group. It was a fantastic experience for the entire squad, who performed brilliantly to make it all the way to the Final.”
Part of Richmond Business School, RIASA’s International Sports Management with Football BA (Hons) degree is the perfect way to kick off a career in the sports and leisure industries. It enables students to gain an FA Level 1 Certificate in Coaching Football, together with the opportunity to play in a top quality football academy, all of which is combined with a range of academic studies in international sports management.
