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Young Magpies defeat Saudi Green Falcons in Al Abtal Friendly Games
Second-half strikes from Anthony Munda and Shaun Mavididi secured a 2-0 win for Newcastle United's Academy in their Al Abtal Friendly Games encounter against Saudi Green Falcons on Wednesday.
After a goalless first-half at the Magpies' Little Benton Academy, Munda's drilled effort within a minute of the restart opened the scoring for the hosts in a side consisting of six players at under-16 level.
The squad, overseen by coaches Graeme Carrick and Iain Bogie, confirmed victory in the closing stages on Tyneside following Mavididi's clinical finish inside the penalty area.
Newcastle's youngsters have been participating in the Al Abtal Friendly Games series alongside Villarreal (Spain), PAOK FC (Greece), Austria Vienna (Austria) and two Saudi Arabian national teams - Saudi Green Falcons and Saudi White Falcons.
The first key goalscoring opportunity fell to Mavididi as the 17-year-old got onto the end of Ollie Harrison's inviting corner but the resulting header was directed straight into the hands of Falcons goalkeeper Faris Aljohani.
Winger Sean Neave took his turn in front of goal for the Toon teenagers after combining neatly with Mavididi before curling his attempt at goal over the crossbar.
Newcastle got off to a flying start in the second-half as Munda broke the deadlock within 60 seconds of the restart, latching onto the ball inside the penalty area before drilling a fierce effort into the bottom right-hand corner.
United's youngsters aimed to extend their lead as substitute Thomas Bryant went narrowly close to completing a dangerous counter-attack, firing his low effort off the foot of the post.
Mavididi, a former Arsenal youth product, almost got his name on the scoresheet after the hour mark as the forward's goal bound shot from the edge of the box was pushed around the post by Aljohani.
Harrison took aim from the edge of the penalty area but the 15-year-old central midfielder saw his low strike parried away by Aljohani.
In the 90th minute, Mavididi doubled Newcastle's advantage after finding space within the box to unleash a powerful drive into the bottom right-hand corner to wrap up the friendly victory.
Newcastle United Academy: Adam Harrison, Rory Powell (c), Logan Watts, Luke Craggs, Beau Beresford, Ollie Harrison, Anthony Munda, Darren Palmer (Scott Bailey 46), Sean Neave (Joe Brayson 60), Dylan Charlton (Thomas Bryant 46), Shaun Mavididi.
Subs not used: Ryan Dougherty, Adrian Janusz, David Hodgson, Johnny Emerson.