Sunderland Under-21s rounded off their Premier League International Cup group stage fixtures with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Benfica B at the Stadium of Light. An Ian Poveda goal gave the Black Cats a deserved first-half lead, Milan Aleksic doubled Sunderland’s advantage after the break before a Joao Veloso penalty set up a nervy ending. After 10 months on the sidelines, Jensen Seelt made his long-awaited return to action as Graeme Murty opted to rotate his squad for the visit of Benfica B. The visitors created the match’s first clear opening on 10 minutes, but Blondy remained alert to pull off two tremendous saves to deny Beni Souza and keep the score level. A solo effort from Poveda gave Sunderland an early lead on 15 minutes; the winger confidently collected Jenson Jones’ inch-perfect pass before cutting inside and firing his shot low and hard past Pedro Souza. The hosts should have doubled their lead five minutes later when Povada skipped past his man before cutting the ball back for the on-rushing unmarked Aleksic to fire wide. Blondy was called into action again on 35 minutes, standing tall to calmly palm a close-range stinging attempt from Jose Melro away from goal. Sunderland started the second half brightly, Ahmed Abdullahi forcing Pedro Souza into an early stop from the edge of the box. Benfica threatened to find a leveller, but failed to find a way past a resilient Blondy whose outstretched right leg directed a certain goal away from danger. Aleksic doubled the host’s lead on 57 minutes with a superbly well-taken finish after combining brilliantly with Ben Middlemas before dancing past his man and sliding the ball past Pedro Souza. Benfica pulled a goal back from the spot on 70 minutes. Blondy initially saved Veloso’s attempt, but the rebound fell kindly to present the midfielder with a simple tap-in. The Lads defended in numbers and remained resolute at the back to see out the final 20 minutes and collect a vital three points. Tonight’s victory puts Sunderland into second place within the group, but they will have to wai fort the result of Blackburn Rovers vs Athletic Club Bilbao on 5th February to find out if they have qualified for the knockout stages. The Black Cats return to league action on Saturday when they travel to Leicester City in the Premier League 2. Sunderland XI: Blondy, Jen Jones, Seelt (Kindon 45’), Bell, Bainbridge (Lavery 78’), Middlemas, Aleksic, H.Jones © (Jay Jones 90), Poveda (Walsh 45’), Ogunsuyi, Abdullahi (Whittaker 63) Subs not used: Chibueze, Geragusian. .
I read obvious bias towards some players in most of these "reports" but it does map out the game and I do agree that Blondy looks a very good keeper , and that all of our almost oven ready players had good run outs especially Proveda. And a special mention here from me for the Jones boys who all played well imo. But this tournament is a bit of a disappointment all told imo.
i guess it gives the lads some more/different experience, some more games in the 'big stadium' etc... agree about blondy, love the way he wants to command his area and rushes out to collect balls, although it seems to be the trend these days to get keepers to stand on the line so i hope they do not train him to do that, seelt and poveda looked all but fit and ready, milan got some more minutes in his legs and abdullahi got out finally and i thought it was a good game against a very good side.
Both Lenz and Jewi injured https://www.sunderlandecho.com/spor...uation-and-delivers-eliaz-lenz-update-4956371
What impressed me last night was how we defended our 2-1 lead, when a very young defence late on did not panic but kept its shape and continued to play its football with the crisp passing game we often see from them, its a real credit to all involved .
Think there’s a couple with brothers in the academy. Pretty sure Trey Ogunsuyi and Tommy Watsons brother are with us.
Jenson Seelt relieved after returning to action https://www.safc.com/news/2025/janu...2l870_0tx_AQaY6_7g_aem_RDPhBSJXx6SYooCkzvAhkA
I'm thinking of popping along to this one as I'm fairly local to Halifax. Hopefully see some of the 1st team players who are building up their fitness levels - Seelt, Abdullahi etc and get a look at some of the young guns.....like the Jones brothers, Tutierov etc
