The kids are alright.
Leeds United U23s beat Birmingham City U23s today at Elland Road to pick up the PDL National Championship. Leeds U23s had already won the PDL North division trophy, but after beating Coventry City in a semi-final, Leeds beat Birmingham earlier today to claim the overall PDL trophy. A well-earned honour for the Academy, who has been producing some gems for the first team for a few years now.
PDL NATIONAL CHAMPIONS BOYS GET IN #LUFC #MOT pic.twitter.com/14Z9oHq7p4
— LUFC Goals (@LUFC_Goals) May 6, 2019
The match was played to a scoreless draw for both regular time and extra-time, and it was Leeds who emerged victorious 4-2 on penalties, with Kamil Miazek, the former Poland U21 international goalkeeper, playing a huge part by make a number of key saves in both regular time and during penalty kicks.
Besides the first team achievements this season, the grooming of the U23s to not only be able to fill in with the first team if needed, but to find success of their own is extremely impressive. It’s not easy to get a team prepared to play week-in, week-out while also providing depth to the first team at the same time, and Carlos Corberan has done an excellent job coaching the U23s, but also being a part of the staff on the touchline at matches for Marcelo Bielsa.
Such a shame so many have been stuck outside the ground. Shows the enthusiasm among the fanbase since Bielsa's appointment (Not just that - more engagement with the fans/city has helped too). Instead people annoyed at poor organisation when this should be the story. #lufc #MOT https://t.co/i9WAjJ66BF
— Mighty Whites Pod (@mightywhitespod) May 6, 2019
Of course, this being Leeds, the victory comes with a bit of a controversy, as the club had advertised the match as free to attend. On a bank holiday. And then had only opened the West Stand. Officially, just under 8,000 people were at the match, but it easily could have been more given the lines right before kick-off.
While the first team still has a chance at winning promotion through the play-offs, let’s not forget what a brilliant job the U23s have done this season. These kids are the future of Leeds, and the future is very, very bright.