Walaes Online
by Terry Phillips, South Wales Echo
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
IBRAHIM Farah, a tough-tackling midfield player of Somali descent, crashed home a spectacular goal for Cardiff City in their youth Academy under-18 match against Birmingham City at Treforest yesterday.
Grangetown boy ‘Ibby’ will be a second year trainee with the Bluebirds next season and played a key part in their 1-1 draw against Birmingham.
Farah scored after 40 minutes when he ran onto an accurate lofted pass and, from the left-hand side of the penalty area, smashed a shot high into the far corner of the net.
In the second half Farah went close to a second when he clipped the ball over Birmingham’s goalkeeper as he rushed out.
But the effort flew just over the bar, while Luke Cummings saw a shot pushed away by the diving keeper.
Cardiff, with centre-forward Nat Jarvis shining, held their lead until the last minute when Birmingham equalised through Reece Fleet. A cross bounced off the bar and Fleet was able to force it over the line.
The Bluebirds team included Theo Wharton, the son of former Sunderland professional Sean.
Farah was spotted when Academy manager Neal Ardley set his staff the task of finding a youth team from the Cardiff parks to take on a club side a few years ago.
“I was 15 and playing for Grangetown Boys Club when I was invited along to the trial,” said Farah. “I was spotted and have been here ever since.”
The former Moorland Primary and Cathays High School pupil earned a year’s schoolboy terms. He has completed his first season as an Academy trainee.
Cardiff have three under-18 Academy matches left – against Southampton at Treforest on Saturday (11.30am) followed by Chelsea away and Leicester City.
Cardiff City: R Ottley, A Davies, S Jones, S Last, J Meades, M Diallo, I Farah, T Wharton, L Cummings, N Jarvis, S Taylor. Subs: D John for Wharton, J Powell for Cummings. Not used: L Jones, J Yorwerth, D Richards.
Source: Wales Online