SOWETO, South Africa (July 30th, 2010) – Manchester, United Kingdom, is preparing to welcome some of the most talented young footballers on the planet for the World Finals of the Manchester United Premier Cup. Over 9,400 teams started on the journey last summer, to reach the final stages of a competition which will see the top twenty under-15 teams battle for the title of the MUPC Champions of the World from 4 – 7 August.
The under-15 Orlando Pirates squad will depart on Saturday to represent South Africa at the most prestigious under-15 tournament in the world. The squad has been going through their paces at Nike’s new Football Training Centre in Soweto, ensuring that they are in optimum shape ahead of the tournament.
Orlando Pirates have vast experience at MUPC, and in this world championship year, are particularly determined to improve on previous results. “We have developed specialized training sessions with a different technical focus for each player. Although we hope to improve on our previous performances, our main concern in Manchester will be to reduce the pressure on our young players to succeed,” said Augusto Palacios, under-15 Coach, Orlando Pirates.
Originally founded by Nike in 1993, Premier Cup was taken to new heights ten years later when Manchester United added their name to the tournament where youngsters - from grassroots teams to some of the biggest names in football - meet in the ultimate test of their abilities, their passion and their desire to win in the Manchester United Premier Cup.
Over a million youngsters have enjoyed the MUPC experience to date, many going on to become global superstars. No fewer than 25 tournament "old boys" were called up to represent their country in South Africa- including an incredible SIX players in Spain's championship-winning side, namely Torres, Fábregas, Piqué, “Xavi” Hernández, Iker Casillas and winning goal-scorer Andrés Iniesta.
Iniesta was Tournament MVP and also scored the winning ‘golden goal” in 1999 as FC Barcelona lifted their first Premier Cup World Trophy: “Premier Cup is a “dream come true” for young footballers. Such an intense level of competition is a great opportunity to test and improve your abilities against some of the best young players in the world. You should take pride in your performance and work hard for your team – every second of every match.”
“Obviously I wish the team from Barcelona all the best – but to every young footballer travelling to Manchester: Give it your all and make the most of this opportunity to pursue your dreams – your future starts here!”
FC Barcelona was the first team to lift the trophy for a second time. Brazil’s 2000 Premier Cup World Champions Internaçional may be looking to secure a 2nd World Finals trophy for their cabinet. FC Porto won the inaugural edition back in 1994 before the tournament went global in 1997 and have since only reached 2nd place, but are on a winning streak after beating FC Barcelona in this year’s tournament in Bilbao whilst six times World Finalists Paris Saint-Germain are determined to improve on their best finish to date, second place in 2005.
2009 Runners-up SV Werder Bremen battled their way through three penalty shoot-outs in Germany’s MUPC Finals in Berlin to qualify for Manchester. In the light of last year’s defeat by Sao Paulo, Coach Marco Grote cites South American teams as the most dangerous.
Host team Manchester United’s best showing to date was when they reached the final at Old Trafford back in 2004, only to lose out to local rivals Manchester City. This year’s UK qualifiers are Newcastle United, at the final stages for the first time this year, alongside Italian qualifiers Torino FC who secured their place after beating FC Juventus in a thrilling 4-2 final encounter.
Colo Colo will represent Chile for the fourth time in Manchester and aim for a top ten finish.
Turkish football Academy Bucaspor were surprise winners of the European Qualification tournament in Denmark.Other teams qualifying for Manchester for the first time this year include Pachuca FC from Mexico, Japan’s Kyoto Sanga FC, Sutherland Sharks FC from Australia, India’s Shillong Lajong FC and Malaysian team MSS Kedah.
China’s Changchun Yatai FC narrowly won their place in Manchester with skilful displays throughout their national tournament; whilst three times Korean MUPC Champions Ulsan Hyundai Middle School cruised into this year’s World Finals with a stunning 4-1 final match.
Another team with a long journey to Manchester is the Right to Dream Academy from Ghana. Academy Manager Andy Farrant hopes the team can improve on previous 5th & 3rd place finishes, but admits: “As always in tournament conditions, the draw will be crucial. We just hope our boys perform at their best, it’s impossible to ask for any more than that. If their best can take us all the way to the final, then we will be delighted of course, but if not, we can still be satisfied that we gave it our all, and that the boys could do no more in their pursuit of victory.”
