B team midfielder Roy Syla says the team can be satisfied with their performance level as they drew 1-1 with AIK Fotboll on Monday evening in the Atlantic Cup.

The young Bees took a point from the game, but it was the Swedish side who claimed the extra point as they won 5-4 on penalties.

Reacting to another fantastic test against a senior team, the midfield player said: “I think it was a really good performance. The number of chances that we created, the way we kept the ball, going right until the end and to score in the last minute shows how much the boys won’t give up and we carry on playing until the referee blows the whistle. It’s a great spirit, all the boys are very together, especially in training where they don’t want to lose. It’s very competitive and we bring that straight into the games.

“It’s a good experience, we have a lot of young boys in the team, and they (AIK) brought a few fans themselves so taking penalties in front of them, they didn’t make it easy for us, so it’s a good experience.”

Roy played the second 45 minutes of the match in the Algarve as head coach Neil MacFarlane shuffled his formation to allow more control in midfield. That certainly worked as Roy helped to break up the play and start some of the attacks as the young Bees dominated the second period.

He continued: “It was to bring a bit more stability in the second half and be that extra man to help the team, win the ball and play forward as quick as possible. I felt it was good, I’m happy that I made an impact on the game and brought something to the team.

“They had a lot of experienced players who know how to rile you up, they tackle and leave it on you. They knew how to play, they’re men, but we’re very competitive and none of us want to lose so whatever they do we can do as well.”

The side now look to their final match in the Atlantic Cup against another Swedish side in Halmstads BK. Now back fit, Roy was keen to credit B team physios Paolo Perna and Stella Zhang for their roles in his recovery to full fitness having missed the last couple of months of action.

He explained: “I think if we continue the way that we’ve been playing in the last few months then I think we should be looking for a win (against Halmstads.) It’s been a long two months and a half so it’s really good to be back. Thanks to Paolo and Stella the treatment went really well and now I’m pushing to get as many games as possible and get back to where I was.”