Though edged out 4-3 on penalties by Lincoln on Tuesday in our Group E finale after a 1-1 draw over 90 minutes, City topped the table by virtue of a better goal difference over the Imps.
It’s the third successive season we have progressed through to the knockout stages of the competition.
And, ahead of Friday evening’s draw for the round of 32, Nmecha said the squad were already excited about entering the knockout stages.
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“We are all looking forward to the draw. We want to go as far as we can in the competition so it’s exciting,” declared Nmecha.
“We just need to keep working hard and keeping the spirit and working for each other.
“I enjoy playing in this competition.
“You are playing against first team players. It’s not Academy football – you are getting more of a test and you can compare yourself to where you are at in a first team game so it’s good.”
Nmecha was handed the captain’s armband at the LNER Stadium and led by example, with City blooding several of our Under-18s in a very youthful side.
And the England Under-20 international said the way Enzo Maresca’s side fought back to force a late leveller against the League One high-fliers before being edged out on penalties spoke volumes as to the character of the Elite Development Squad.
“We had a lot of young players on Tuesday. It would have been tough on them and their legs as well playing at that high intensity, but I think we all did quite well,” Nmecha added
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“We all worked hard and that’s all you can do is try your best, but we just fell short (in the penalty shoot-out).
“I think we could have taken our chances better, but I think at the end being 1-0 down and with everyone having tired legs we dug in and got to 1-1.
“And then it was just unfortunate to lose on penalties.
“For me I was thankful to get the armband – but it doesn’t really change much for me. I keep working hard for the team and trying to do my best.”
Our EDS side are back in PL2 action on Sunday at home to Chelsea and the game will be shown live on CITY+ You can find details of how to subscribe HERE.
