Young Croatian-Canadian shines at Norwich City Mina Cup in UK

by croatiaweek
October 18, 2024
in Sport

Josip Koloper (Photo: Supplied)

Josip Koloper, a rising star from Mississauga, Ontario, with proud Croatian roots, was impressive on the international stage at the inaugural Under-12 Norwich City Mina Cup in the UK.

Playing for Toca Pro FC, Koloper played a pivotal role in helping his team reach the Gold Cup semifinals and secure a top-four finish against some of Europe’s most elite football clubs.

As the only Canadian representative, Toca Pro FC’s youngsters took on European football powerhouses and delivered one stunning performance after another.

Playing as a right-back, Josip and his team displayed defensive dominance, conceding only one goal in two group stage matches.

Josip defending against Norwich City player, who was eventually named Top Goal Scorer of the tournament. The game against Norwich City ended with a 1-0 win for Toca Pro FC (Photo: Supplied)

With prior experience as a finalist in the Inter Miami Cup, Josip has built a solid reputation as a defensive wall, known for his reliability and composure on the field.

When asked what the highlight of the tournament was for him, Josip said that it was playing the Arsenal academy, as Arsenal is his favourite English team.

The game against Arsenal ended in a 0-0 draw, putting Toca Pro FC at the top of the group with 7 points, coming out on top of Liverpool, Arsenal and host Norwich City.

(Photo: Supplied)

After the game against Arsenal, Josip was able to switch jerseys with an Arsenal academy player, even if it was only for a photo.

Facing off against powerhouse academy teams such as Chelsea, Liverpool, Borussia Dortmund, and host Norwich City FC, Toca Pro FC recorded a string of impressive victories.

They beat Chelsea 1-0, Liverpool 1-0, Borussia Dortmund 2-0, and Norwich FC 1-0, securing the top spot in their Gold Division group and advancing to the semifinals.

In a heart-pounding semifinal match, Toca Pro FC battled Leeds United, where the game came down to a nail-biting penalty shootout. Leeds eventually edged out Toca Pro FC, claiming their spot in the final and going on to win the championship against Feyenoord.

(Photo: Supplied)

Although Toca Pro FC didn’t take home the trophy, their incredible journey solidified them as a team to be reckoned with. Despite being the underdogs, placed in the “group of death,” their passion, grit, and Canadian spirit propelled them through the tournament, winning 7 out of 8 matches and allowing only one goal throughout the competition.

One of the most unforgettable moments came when their goalkeeper, Dorian Baczak, scored a sensational drop-kick goal to seal their win against Borussia Dortmund.

Head coach and owner of Toca Pro FC, David Velastegui, couldn’t be prouder of his team’s accomplishments:

“As the head coach and owner of Toca, I want to express how proud I am of these young Canadian athletes. This was a significant test to measure their abilities against some of the top academy teams in Europe. They not only demonstrated remarkable technical skills but also displayed the hunger and determination to compete at the highest level. I am truly excited about the future for these boys. Their success in dominating the Canadian soccer scene, and now with these results, proves that we are ready to take on the world.”

(Photo: Supplied)

This tournament plays a crucial role in the development and scouting of Canadian players, as there was significant interest and many inquiries about these young talents. It also provides the kids with an important benchmark, helping them understand where they stand and what they need to improve on to compete and excel at the highest level when they return to Canada .

Looking ahead, the future is bright for this fearless squad. In 2025, they will continue their international journey, competing in South America and Spain, where they will undoubtedly be ready to challenge the world’s best once again.

(Photo: Supplied)

Meanwhile, the Silver Cup final saw Inter Milan triumph over Chelsea in a thrilling match, capping off what was an incredible event.

Chris Brown, founder of the Mina Cup, expressed his excitement

for the future of the tournament:

“We were delighted with the inaugural Mina Cup UK given the level of teams that took part from all over the world including a number of the biggest clubs in England and Europe and by the seamless organization and elite level facilities provided by our partners Norwich City FC,” said Chris Brown, Mina Cup founder.