with thanks to Stuart Truslove

Blues lost 3-2 after extra time to French side Racing Club de Lens after coming back from two goals down to finish fourth in the Sheik Hamdan Tournament in Dubai.

A third game in three days in the Emirati heat proved too much for a Blues side who bravely came back to force extra time against Lens. Josh Hawker and Demarai Gray scored as Blues gave a battling performance but they came up just short against their French counterparts.

Despite a fourth placed finish, there is no doubt in my mind that this tournament will have been excellent experience for the youngsters and hopefully it will help them in their training to become fully fledged pros.

Tags: Blues Academy, Demarai Gray, Josh Hawker