Danny Cowley took plenty of positives from Pompey’s latest pre-season contest.
They wrapped up a week-long Spanish training camp with a match against Qatar SC at the Pinatar Arena in Murcia.
It finished 2-0 to the side from England, with a trialist opening the scoring in last of three 30-minute periods before Alfie Bridgman doubled the lead.
And Cowley was particularly happy with what he saw from the younger group who finished the contest.
The Blues boss said: “It was a really good end to what has been a tough camp and I was pleased with the effort of all the boys.
“Our defensive organisation in the first half of the game was good. We were compact, we were together and we stopped the opposition.
“We were up against a technical side who had top players in their ranks, but for the possession they had, they didn’t create many chances.
“In possession I thought we could have looked after the ball a bit better and we didn’t have the penetration I would have liked.
"The second group came on and played with a youthful energy and intensity. There were some really good performances."
“As a consequence we didn’t earn the space in behind their midfield, so there’s some work for us to do.
“The second group came on and played with a youthful energy and intensity. There were some really good performances.
“Harry Jewitt-White has ben top of the intensity work since the start of pre-season and it was nice to see Alfie score a well-taken goal.
“Jay Mingi did brilliant for the opener and there were lots of positives for us to take after a camp that saw them get another 50km in their legs.”
Cowley felt that the week in hot and sunny Murcia was an ideal part of Pompey’s preparations for the new campaign.
He said: “It was great to have the opportunity to have a change of venue and to be with the boys 24/7.
“That’s enabled us to do a lot of work with them – physically, tactically and technically – and to bring everyone together.
“When you spend a week in each other’s company, you really learn a lot about them and build relationships.
“There’s a lovely blend of young players starting their journey, as well as experienced professionals, who are role models.”