Albion beaten by Sociedad in International Cup

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Matthew Bishop

2025-12-10T21:30+00:00

Harry Howell celebrates with Aidan West. 📸 By Paul Hazlewood.

Albion narrowly lost 2-1 to Real Sociedad at the American Express Elite Football Performance Centre on Wednesday in the Premier League International Cup.

Harry Howell equalised for Shannon Ruth’s side early in the second half but their visitors from San Sebastián secured all three points after goals from Alberto Dadie and Sydney Osazuwa.

Albion started brightly but found themselves behind after just eight minutes when Dadie let fly from 30 yards with a powerful shot that deceived Nils Ramming in the home goal and flew into the bottom corner.

The visitors nearly doubled their lead moments later when Iker Calderon’s shot deflected inches wide with Ramming wrong footed, but Albion wrestled back some control and nearly scored a spectacular equaliser when Howell’s thunderous volley was blocked on the line after the winger controlled Sean Keogh’s deep cross.

Younes Ibrahim nearly scored a stunning equaliser. 📸 By Paul Hazlewood.

The game had real zip and speed under the lights in Lancing and while Albion were playing the more traditional Spanish style of football by dominating possession with short passing passages, Sociedad posed a real threat on the break.

Albion’s centre-backs twice did brilliantly to deny Basque breakaways with Freddie Simmonds sliding in at the final moment to deny Osazuwa before Noel Atom showed incredible pace to tackle Arikaitz Mariezhurrena when the visiting captain was in on goal.

With five minutes to go before the break, Howell went close for the home side once again after some good forward play from Adam Brett, but after dribbling to the edge of the box, the 17-year-old dragged his shot across goal and wide.

Albion came out on top in the second half and were level within ten minutes when Howell tapped into an empty net after Brett could only direct Younes Ibrahim’s cross onto the bar, but parity was restored for just three minutes with Osazuwa sweeping Sociedad back in front.

Adam Brett steers an effort onto the bar. 📸 By Paul Hazlewood.

Shannon Ruth’s side almost replied in lightning quick fashion themselves but Ibrahim hammered his shot over the bar from 20 yards after jinking through midfield, before Howell headed wide with 15 minutes remaining after Tyler Silsby whipped a good cross into the penalty area.

Albion kept pushing for a late leveller and nearly found it when Keogh’s crossed was hacked behind, and then from the resulting flurry of corners, Atom had a header tipped over by Theo Folgado in the Sociedad goal and Aidan West steered a low volley wide.

There was still time for Ramming to save a rare second half Sociedad shot when Benat Mancisidor drilled an effort straight at him from 12 yards before Jesse Middleton scuffed a good chance past the post in stoppage time.

It wasn't to be in the end as Albion fell to their first defeat in this season's Premier League International Cup, after drawing with Benfica on opening night, and will be looking to bounce back on Sunday against Paris Saint Germain.

Albion: Ramming, Tasker (West 46), Penman (Nti 62), Simmonds ©, Atom, Barclay (Hayden 79) Howell, Middleton, Brett (Belmont 62) Ibrahim (Silsby 62), Keogh.

Subs not used: Hall, Owusu.