Ilyas trains in Liverpool FC Academy

This is the indoor football training area where Ilyas had his course

Today Ilyas and I went to the Liverpool FC Academy to attend the Mini Soccer Course. About 22 other boys were there and all of them wear the red, grey or white Liverpool jerseys except Ilyas and another boy who wear England shirts. One of the trainers immediately suspected that Ilyas supports Everton and he just smiled (luckily he didn't mention to the coach that he supported Manchester United!). The parents are not allowed to take any photograph inside their training area so I can just sit and watch them do the training drills for the boys.

They separated the boys to several groups and teach them on how to dribble, juggle and all sort of football skills. Afterwards they held little matches among these groups. Ilyas was in the white group and they faced the green group. A couple of boys in the green group were quite good and they were always attacking. Ilyas was a bit confused at first and his first attempt was actually towards his own goal! But afterwards he just chase the ball and was making effort to score a goal. I think the white group were behind by a goal or two when suddenly the ball came rolling to Ilyas. He suddenly ran as fast as he can with the ball towards the goal and gave it a mighty kick towards the keeper and it's a GOOOOOOAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLL! The audience including the trainer were quite impressed and they all clapped. I think that was Ilyas's greatest moment during the training.

He then played for another half an hour which makes him pretty much exhausted towards the end. Another trainer remarked to him that he's a good tackler. I'm pretty sure he will be looking forward to his next session.