Barcelona took control early in the match, scoring their first goal after ten minutes - their second shortly before half time and their third mid-way through the second half. ”When their second goal went in it was always going to be difficult to find a way back,” said Pachuca Coach Miguel Angel Gomez Leyv, “but I am so impressed by my boys. They performed well and adapted immediately to the developing situation on the field of play here at Old Trafford and continued to press Barcelona. When we scored it gave us new incentive, but at 3-1 down, it was unfortunately too late.”
Jubilant Barcelona Coach Victor Sanchez was happy to be repeating his 2007 MUPC experience with his team: “I am incredibly happy firstly that our boys played our normal fast-paced game keeping control of the ball and, secondly, that we are MUPC World Champions again. This title is for the whole team who made it possible. They really deserve it. Throughout every stage of the competition our plan was to play our own game as usual – and enjoy the experience. The boys have done everything we asked of them and represented their club with pride. My next goal is to help them develop their incredible potential and reach the FC Barcelona first team!”
Rio Ferdinand and Sir Bobby Charlton presided over the on-pitch presentations and Ferdinand added: “I played in many youth tournaments as a lad and I can honestly say, whatever age you are – the feeling is exactly the same. You work hard and reach the final in an important competition and, when you win, it is the best feeling in the world. Nothing can touch it!
“But both teams are so lucky to have this amazing opportunity to walk out through the tunnel onto the pitch and play at Old Trafford at such a young age. Win or lose, it really is the stuff dreams are made of!”
Sir Bobby Charlton continued to share the teams’ celebrations over at Manchester University’s Armitage Campus and enthused: “I’ve really enjoyed watching this competition over the years - and am always impressed that it is something special and something we get very right. I’d like to thank Nike for the opportunity to partner them in hosting this competition around the world.”
He continued to congratulate all twenty teams for a “magnificently high standard of football played in the spirit of “fair play”, particularly the talented young runners-up from Pachuca and the youngsters from FC Barcelona who “upheld the style and traditions of a famous club with honour.”
Paris Saint-Germain and Torino FC progressed through the tournament without receiving a single yellow card and shared the “Fair Play” award. The award for Top Scorer was also shared - by Newcastle United’s Campbell & Torres from Pachuca FC - with six goals apiece. The final award, for Tournament MVP as voted by the Coaches of the opposition sides was, once again, Campbell from Newcastle United.
Although Orlando Pirates representing South Africa were knocked out of the MUPC World Finals in the early stages, the team remained in positive spirits from gaining experience and insights from their competitors, and more importantly from the professional footballers during their coaching sessions.
Coach of Orlando Pirates, Professor Augusto Palacios was full of praise for his team, and the tournament. “The team has played well especially when you consider the level of play from the international teams. We wanted a better result in all our matches as the opportunities were there – we would need to work harder on our finishing.”
“Overall, this tournament is a huge success story for the development of the game. Since the first day group matches, the quality of play is remarkable. It has also been very inspiring to have the Manchester United first team squad training next to where the matches are being played. There are also so many youngsters from around the world who have been identified at this very tournament to represent some of the best clubs is testimony to the tournaments success. Iniesta is just one example of a great player.”“When you consider the experience that the young Pirates players are gaining from playing against the best teams in world, and also being a part of the coaching clinics, this is exposing them at an early age to international levels of football. There are a couple of players who certainly have the opportunity to make it to professional levels. I’ve always regarded the MUPC tournament as one of the most important development programmes in the world, and I’m glad that we have the opportunity to experience it.”
Pirates finished in 13th place overall. The team returns to South Africa on Monday 9 August.
