The Ryder Mofokeng-led team had surpassed all pre tournament expectations when they finished top of their group and qualified unbeaten for the ¼ Finals. In some what unfortunate circumstances their progress onwards in the competition was brought to a halt by a physically stronger Real Madrid under seventeen team, who defeated the young Amakhosi 4-1 on Wednesday.

From the onset The Amakhosi had to chase the game as a penalty was awarded against them in rather dubious circumstances early on in the game, Real had no qualms about being awarded the spot kick and converted it to take the lead. With the half time score at 1-0 Chiefs threw everything they had into finding an equalizer and were thus caught on the counter attack, as Madrid used their numerical advantage from the break away to go two goals up.

Soon after though Chiefs got back into the game with a well taken shot from distance by Kabelo Makoko who netted his fifth goal of the tournament in four games, the comeback which was on the cards as Chiefs dominated play for much of the second half could not be completed. As the young Chiefs had the winds taken out of their sail when Madrid scored for the third time a strike coming against the run of play.

With time running out Real got their fourth goal of the game, once again courtesy of a counter attack as Chiefs pushed forward in numbers looking to bring parity to the score line, Real were again able to break away and with four Madrid players against a lone Amakhosi defender and his goalkeeper the writing for a fourth goal was on the wall.

With their tournament now over the Chiefs team will be able to put their legs up for a day or so in the Spanish sun and reflect upon what can be described as having given a good account for themselves. Most pundits in Spain had not given the Amakhosi much hope of qualifying for the knock out stages, by reaching the ¼ Finals they surpassed all expectations.

For their entertaining play and good-natured manner the young Chiefs won many admirers on and off the field as a result a return to Albecete in 2007 looks a distinct possibility, when they will be looking to build on this years experience and hopefully progress further in the competition.