JIM CASSELL'S City youngsters pulled off a stirring fightback from two goals down to beat Mexican side Tigres 3-2 in the prestigious Dallas Cup and leave the FA Youth Cup holders one point from qualifying for the next stage in Texas.
Goals from Alex Nimely, Greg Cunningham and Keiran Trippier turned the match around for the resolute Boy Blues after two defensive errors handed their opponents a 2-0 half-time lead just a day after beating AC Milan 4-0.
On a bumpy, windswept pitch against rivals who were geared to playing on the break, City soon shelved their traditional style and went more direct, with three players up front and three strung across midfield.
Tigres went ahead after 15 minutes but created little in the first half, and City enjoyed the lion’s share of possession without making it count until Nimley drew the goalkeeper to pull one back from an angle after an hour.
Cunningham snatched an equaliser with a brave header 17 minutes from the end before Trippier launched a free kick from right-back that sailed over the keeper and under the bar for a wind-assisted winner.
Tigres abandoned their timewasting to launch a fierce final push for an equaliser but skipper Andrew Tutte’s side held out to make it six points from two games, with a draw now required against a tough Toronto team on Wednesday afternoon to clinch their passage.
