Audacious Feruz wins it for U-16s

Published on Thursday 29 October 2009 23:50

ISLAM Feruz last night netted his first winning goal for Scotland Under-16s in outrageous style to earn his team a 1-0 win away to Wales.

The victory sets up the chance for Ross Mathie's youngsters to win the Sky Sports Victory Shield when they meet England at Tynecastle on 26 November.

Feruz charged down a George Higgins clearance in the ninth minute, at the Belle Vue Ground in Rhyl, before taking advantage of an Alex Nicholson error to run through on goal and send an audacious chip over the advancing Christian Dibble, son of the former Aberdeen and Rangers goalkeeper Andy Dibble.

National youth coach Mathie said: "Islam's finish was excellent and I thought Jack Grimmer was outstanding throughout."

Somalia-born 14-year-old Feruz came close to a second goal 10 minutes later when he accepted a pass from Grimmer and stepped past a defender before firing a shot that fizzed across the face of Dibble's goal before going about an inch past.

Scotland skipper Grimmer almost made it two when he hit the side netting in 28 minutes after taking a 50-yard pass in his stride and firing in a shot that spun wide.

The second half was a very even affair and the Scots came closest to grabbing a goal that would have eased their nerves when Grimmer picked out James Heron with an exquisite pass and his header was picked off the toes of Feruz as he was set to net by Dibble.

Wales U-16: Dibble, Henley, Holt, Nicholson, James, Wharton (Loveridge 65), Roberts (Holden 41), Higgins, Blackmore (John 41), Newell, Simmons (R James 65)

Scotland U-16: Wightman, Fraser, Yaqub (Carnworth 42), Campbell, Chalmers, Slater, Heron, McLeod, Feruz, Grimmer (Polworth 79), Kennedy (Cochrane 67)