How Juan Riquelme Angulo performed in first game for Sunderland 21s after deadline day move
How Juan Riquelme Angulo performed in first game for Sunderland 21s, writes Tom Greaves.
Sunderland’s final addition of the summer transfer window, Juan Riquelme Angulo, made his first start for the club in the U21s win against Norwich City on Friday night at Eppleton CW.
The 18-year-old joined the Black Cats from Independiente del Valle on deadline day but, due to a visa issue, was unable to feature before last week. In the press conference earlier in the day, Regis Le Bris said that the striker “Needs experience… but I am looking forward to seeing more of him.” The Ecuadorian youngster began training with his new team mates last week but wasn't be in the matchday squad as the Black Cats faced Manchester City on Sunday afternoon.
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On Friday night, his 21s debut started relatively shaky. It took the young striker around 10 minutes to get a touch on the ball and a feel of the pace of the game. His first touch of the game was poor with the ball sliding beneath his foot.
Around 15 minutes into his debut, he got a feel for the ball. Winning it back from a lost cause before holding off his opponent and playing it to his midfielders. Off the ball, in the early stages, the number nine struggled a bit with timing of his runs. However his mobility was good, with his stature and frame he can look a bit clunky but he is quite fast and mobile when closing people down or turning on the ball.
As the game progressed and Sunderland took the lead, he seemed to grow in confidence, making a great run to draw two defenders to the near post which allowed for Tom Proctor to run in unmarked and see SAFC two in front. While also triggering the press to help win the ball back from the goal kick in the first place.
Despite his height, he struggled to win headers when the ball was sent long after him or on attacking set pieces. By the end of the half, he was seeing the ball more often and his confidence was growing. He made a run towards the edge of the box before trying to slot Proctor in but it was well read. In the additional time he showed the Sunderland fans and Florent Ghisolfi - who was in attendance - what he can do, pinning his defender and rolling him to be one-on-one with the goalkeeper but his shot was blazed wide of the target.
Despite a quiet start to the second half, he sparked into life just before the hour mark, almost getting an assist after making a run in behind and squaring the ball across the six-yard box. But a great defensive clearance from the visitors stopped the cross from reaching Jocelin Ta Bi. Only a minute later, he played Timur Tutierov in behind but his shot was wide of the mark.
Angulo played 61 minutes on his debut coming off for Marcus Neill with the Black Cats earning three points. After the game, 21s head coach Matt Craddock said. “He has conducted himself really well. “It is such a big change for him, moving across the world at his age. He met our lads (U21s) and came here today. He was thrown in but dealt with it really well.”
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