The Kercem Ajax Nursery team, photo, finished second in the Leontinoi International Soccer Cup which was played in Lentini, Sicily. Kercem were edged out 5-4 on penalties by Spar Calcio after the game finished goalless.

The final, played at Stadio ‘A Nobile’ Lentini, was a very keen contest in which the Gozitans shared play with the opponents. There were few scoring opportunities from both sides and Kercem seemed to find it difficult to adapt to natural turf after playing all the preliminary matches on synthetic pitches.

Kercem Ajax won the first game against local side 167 Street with a handsome 7–1 scoreline. Guest player from twinned club Luxol St Andrews Daniel Brown scored four goals. Nathaniel Mercieca (2) and Ryan Grech scored the other goals.

Kercem then came from behind to defeat Sporting Bagliani 9-5 with Nathaniel Mercieca scoring four goals, Daniel Brown three, and Ryan Grech and Charlon Xuereb one each. The Greens finished top of the group by beating Trancia 2009 4-1, Daniel Brown (3) and Nathaniel Mercieca scoring the goals.

The Ajax nursery team excelled in the semi-final by beating Megarini 2001 to the tune of 7-0. Luxol player Daniel Brown was again the protagonist with three goals, Daniel Atzori (2), Nathaniel Mercieca and Charlon Xuereb scoring the other goals.

This was the first tournament on foreign shores for the Kecem Ajax nursery and the results achieved were very satisfactory. The performances and team discipline were praised by the organisers and opponents with several players distinguishing themselves throughout the competition. The boys also gained invaluable experience that will serve them well in the future.

The squad was under the guidance of coach Elton Vella and was made up of Daniel Atzori, Charlon Xuereb, Ryan Vella, Giuseppe Hili, David Mercieca, Thomas Pennock, Josmar Bugeja, Nathaniel Mercieca, Clint Bugeja, Aidan Axiaq, Roberto Carnemolla and Daniel Brown. The contingent was led by nursery president George Pace.