Manchester United Premier Cup

MUPC2008 Final Standings

2008-08-18T14:07:00.001+01:00

1st Fluminense
2nd FC Atlas
3rd Eintracht Frankfurt
4th FC Basel 1893
5th Right to Dream
6th Manchester United
7th Juventus
8th Paris Saint Germain
9th Middlesbrough
10th Real Madrid
11th FC Honka
12th Ansan Boogok
13th Willem II
14th Audax Italiano
15th SuperSport Tottenham
16th Green Town FC
17th Central United
18th Villa 2000
19th San Diego Surf
20th Shizuoka Gakuen

Final Day - 6 August 2008

2008-08-07T10:01:00.001+01:00

It was a clash of the Titans at Old Trafford today when Brazilian favourites Fluminense took on Mexico’s FC Atlas and became Manchester United Premier Cup World Champions for the second time.

This fixture was the eagerly anticipated Final of the Nike sponsored tournament which brings together the twenty best under-15 teams in the world.

The match was played out on the hallowed turf of Old Trafford as the curtain-raiser to the Manchester United v Juventus friendly. On the pitch, there were flashes of brilliance from both sides, but ultimately only Fluminense were able to convert.

A goal just before half-time and a second halfway through the second half left FC Atlas trailing and the Brazilians in dominant form. Despite their best efforts, FC Atlas could not maintain control of the ball leaving Fluminense to take the match, and the title, in a comfortable 2-0 win.
Bryan Robson and Gary Neville presented runners-up Atlas and third place Eintracht Frankfurt with their medals before Fluminense went up onto the pitch to receive the MUPC trophy in front of a crowd of 69,872.

Over the past twelve months 9,400 teams from forty-two countries have participated in local, national and regional tournaments to earn a place in Manchester and to play on the pitch at Old Trafford in the MUPC final. Earlier in the day the bronze match took place at Carrington to determine third and fourth position. In the closely contested match between FC Basel and Eintracht Frankfurt, the frustration with the 1-1 score line was clear. Penalties decided their fate and it was Frankfurt who held their nerve after yesterday’s bitter semi final disappointment and ended up

The Awards and Closing Ceremony were held at Manchester University’s Armitage Centre. All teams were awarded medals and MUPC World Champions Fluminense received the coveted trophy by General Manager of Manchester United Merchandising David Tucker. Trophies also went to Willem II who took the Fair Play Award with only one yellow card whilst Fluminenses’ W.De Silva received awards for both Tournament MVP and highest Goal Scorer.

David Tucker noted in his closing speech how "157 goals were scored over the course of the tournament, and that clearly indicates just how hard all the teams worked, and the standard of football you produced. It has been an incredible tournament and you should all be very proud of yourselves".

Tournament Day Three - 5 August 2008

2008-08-06T14:58:00.001+01:00

It will be an all South American affair at Old Trafford tomorrow (Wednesday) when Fluminense face FC Atlas in the final of the Manchester United Premier Cup.

The match will be the culmination of the hopes and dreams of over 9,400 young teams who started their qualification matches a year ago in the competition sponsored by Nike, in a bid to find the best Under-15 team in the world.

Tuesday commenced with Quarter final playoffs at Carrington, and Eintracht Frankfurt moved closer towards the final after beating Paris Saint Germain, whilst Right to Dream lost out after early goals secured the win for Atlas. The German team held the Mexican Champions throughout normal time, only to lose out on sudden death penalties after both teams had attempts on goal frustrated by confident goal-keeping.

Mexico’s Coach Daniel Amed admitted: ‘We have been working towards this tournament since January and practise taking penalties during training. The standard of football here is the best I have ever seen. We’re going to be part of an all South American Final tomorrow which is really exciting. We feel so many emotions right now - but our aim is clear – we want to win’.
Fluminense battled their way through the quarter finals in a deceptively close fought match, eventually securing a 2-0 win over host team Manchester United to reach the semis where they stunned FC Basel 4-1.

Basel Coach Werner Mogg was circumspect: "We came to win of course, and we reached the Quarter Finals for the first time this year. But more important than that is that our boys have had a great opportunity here. Every team in Switzerland plays the same style of football, so to face different cultures on the pitch as well as off it has been an invaluable experience to help them develop their all-round skills.

With almost half of the day’s matches going to penalties, the drama was in no way limited to the play-offs, and the rest of the teams fought their way through the placement rounds with a number of surprise results.

There was a final flourish for New Zealand hopefuls Central United who defeated San Diego Surf 5-3 on penalties, and then went on to score a further three goals against Villa 2000.
Coach Paul Posa was incredibly happy with their performance and felt he ‘could not have scripted it better’. When asked what his team would take away from the tournament he replied, ‘We are an amateur side playing against professional clubs, and that really is the most incredible experience for the boys and we are also raising the bar for football in New Zealand. That is something to be proud of’.

The third/fourth place playoff will take place at 10am at Carrington tomorrow (Wednesday) before the final two teams follow in the footsteps of their heroes and play the Final at Old Trafford (5.30pm) as a curtain raiser to Manchester United –v- Juventus match, in their bid to become the 2008 MUPC Champions of the World.

Tournament Day Two - 4 August 2008

2008-08-04T22:18:00.003+01:00

Today saw the conclusion of the group stages of the Manchester United Premier Cup and an impressive 55 goals as all twenty teams fought desperately for a place in the knockout stage of the U-15 tournament jointly sponsored by Nike and Manchester United.

European teams came back with a vengeance with exceptional wins early on in the day from FC Honka, Eintracht Frankfurt and FC Basel. However there were also tremendous disappointments for many as their Premier Cup dream came to an abrupt end.

Paris Saint Germain and Manchester United progress to the quarter finals from Group A, forcing Real Madrid to make an unexpected departure. Their highly anticipated match against the host club ended goalless when neither team could break the deadlock. "It was so frustrating because it was our best performance by far but we just couldn’t score" admitted Coach Tristan Celador. "However, our failure to qualify is really down to our first match against Chilean side Audax Italiano. We should have won that match but were just too slow and couldn’t find our rhythm."
Brazil's Fluminense continued to lead the field taking maximum points in Group B, leaving Coach Marcelo Veiga to eagerly anticipate their quarter final match against Manchester United. "I am very pleased with our level of performance so far and am looking forward to progressing to the semi finals and the challenge of facing teams like Paris Saint Germain and Manchester United." Eintracht Frankfurt capitalized on their 7:0 win over Shizuoka Gajuen to secure second place and a quarter final match against Paris Saint Germain.

FC Atlas remained consistent to hold first place in Group C and will face surprise contenders Right to Dream Academy whose Coach Gareth Henderby is delighted with his team’s progress so far: "We’ve come a long way since starting our journey and this opportunity for the boys to play against the likes of Manchester United will be something they will take with them through the rest of their lives."

Juventus face FC Basel in the last quarter final after which the placement matches commence, culminating with the semi finals at 5.30pm.

Tournament Day One - 3 August 2008

2008-08-04T08:39:00.002+01:00

Mixed fortunes left all to play for at the close of the first day’s matches at the Manchester United Premier Cup at Carrington today with teams from South America dictating the pace.

Host team Manchester United opened with a comfortable 3-0 win over Villa 2000, but it was Brazilian Team Fluminense who firmly stamped their authority on the competition with a torrent of seven goals against Japanese contenders, Shizuoka Gakuen.

The tournament, jointly sponsored by Nike and Manchester United, brings together the twenty best U-15 teams in the world as they battle it out for the chance to become 2008 Manchester United Premier Cup World Champions.

Chilean Team Audax Italiano opened their Premier Cup campaign with a 2-2 draw against European giants Real Madrid, followed by a 2-0 win over Villa 2000, while Mexican team Atlas also drew their first match 1-1 against Juventus and went on to beat Central United 2-0 in the afternoon session.

Following two consecutive defeats the Coach from Villa 2000 admitted, ‘It feels bad to lose but this is our first international experience at a world class level so we know we have a lot to learn. We did not expect to come here and win the tournament but to learn and benefit from the experience.’ He was particularly impressed by the pace of the Host team, ‘I really admired their speed and togetherness as a team. That’s something we’ll be working on in the future’.

Opening Ceremony - 2 August 2008

2008-08-03T08:42:00.005+01:00

The Twenty final teams gathered at the Opening Ceremony & Draw of the Manchester United Premier Cup at Carrington this evening. Real Madrid and host club Manchester United were both drawn in Group A and will meet in the group stages in the competition sponsored by Nike.

The group matches are to take place at United’s Carrington Training Facility 3-6 August and the final two teams, from over 9,400 participants, will face each other at Old Trafford in a curtain raiser to the Manchester United –v- Juventus friendly on Wednesday 6 August.

Manchester United Merchandising Manager David Tucker introduced two Club Legends now heavily involved in youth football development – Bryan Robson and Brian McClair.
Robson opened with the statement: ‘Do not think that the hard work is over when you join a professional club – it has only just begun…’

When asked how he managed to be the longest serving captain in the Club’s history he said; ‘I was training in the morning, and then again in the afternoon. Fitness is so important. I had to be as fit as my team mates, as well as my opponents. It is all about the hunger to be the very best’.
Academy Director Brian McClair talked about his earliest childhood memories playing football in the streets. "The most important thing in football is to have fun. You learn much more and develop more quickly when you are enjoying yourself." He confessed, "Football should be fun. I considered my job as a hobby that I was lucky enough to get paid for"
United Ambassador Bryan Robson encouraged the boys to make the most of their experiences in the tournament, ‘You have a fantastic opportunity here – make sure you do your best and live out your footballing dreams this week’.

All 20 MUPC finalists experienced Old Trafford history this afternoon, witnessing a key occasion in the Club’s History: the final Testimonial match of a Manchester United favourite, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

The assembled teams and fans were keen to witness ‘Super sub’s’ final professional football appearance and the MUPC Team Captains walked out onto the hallowed turf of Old Trafford to entertain the 68,840 spectators in a pre-match display of their skills. Solskjaer congratulated the team captains on reaching the World Finals and offered words of encouragement as they posed for a photograph.

The dream continues - twenty young teams fighting for the ultimate prize, to become the Manchester United Premier Cup Champions of the World...

MUPC Finalists 2008

2008-07-08T13:22:00.004+01:00

Travelling to Manchester this year are young teams from five continents.

Africa has two teams through to the World Finals this year; SuperSport United is joined by Right to Dream Academy who secured their place in the first ever Africa Regional Finals held at Nike’s Hilversum Campus in June.

From the Americas, San Diego Surf represent the USA whilst South American teams Fluminense, Audax Italiano and FC Atlas are also travelling to Manchester as national MUPC Champions.

The South East Asian Qualification Tournament took place in Kuala Lumpur in May, and was won by Villa 2000 Football Academy. Zhejiang Lucheng FC, Shizuoka Gakuen Jr. High School and Ansan Boogok Middle School complete the qualifiers for Asia.

Central United makes a repeat visit to the World Finals after securing the MUPC championship title for Australasia.

FC Basel 1893, FC Honka and Willem II won their spots at the World Finals as the top three teams from the European regional tournament held in Lodz, Poland in May, whilst Paris Saint Germain, Eintracht Frankfurt, Juventus FC, Real Madrid and Middlesbrough FC secured their places in Manchester by winning their national MUPC tournaments.

The final place goes to host team Manchester United.

All 20 finalists confirmed for MUPC World Finals

2008-07-08T13:20:00.000+01:00

South African team SuperSport United is the final team to qualify for the World Finals of the 2008 Manchester United Premier Cup after winning the South African MUPC Championships in Soweto.

Young footballers from over 9,400 teams across the globe have been competing in local, national and regional qualification tournaments over the past year, proving their skills and their passion at the very highest level in an effort to win one of just twenty places at the Nike sponsored football competition for under-15’s.

Manchester United will host the World Finals from 3rd-6th August 2008 at their training complex in Carrington, England. Dreams will become a reality for the two finalists however, when they walk out onto the hallowed turf at Old Trafford, Manchester, when the MUPC Final takes place as a curtain raiser to the Manchester United v Juventus match on 6th August.

Asia Pacific finals

2008-06-11T16:30:00.003+01:00

The best under-15 teams from Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia and India took part in the MUPC Asia Pacific regional finals in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia over the weekend.

Villa 2000 Football Academy from Indonesia were crowned Champions after beating Tunas Cemerlang Johor, Malaysia in the finals winning 2-0.

Villa 2000 caused an upset in the Semi’s beating tournament favourites Chonburi FC from Thailand 1-0 , while Malaysia beat the Singapore Sports School in the other Semi’s though a nail biting penalty shootout.

First ever African finalists

2008-06-11T16:24:00.002+01:00

Right to Dream Academy became the first ever Premier Cup Africa Champions after beating Egyptian qualifiers ENPPI 1:0, in a compelling final at the Nike Hilversum Campus on Tuesday 10th June. The Ghanaian team’s victory secured their place at the World Finals of the Manchester United Premier Cup.

It was a nervous start for both teams although Right to Dream looked more likely to score as the game progressed but ENPPI held solid in defence and the match finished 0:0 after regular time. Right to Dream raised their tempo, taking their game to the next level in extra time and thrilled the crowd with a dazzling display. A goal knocked in from a beautifully taken free kick secured the win, and a coveted place in Manchester, just minutes before the final whistle.

Latest news on MUPC Finalist teams

2008-06-11T16:04:00.007+01:00

It's been an exciting couple of weeks of football with the US and Mexican finals taking place.

San Diego Surf were crowned Champions at the Nike World Head Quarters in Beaverton Portland, after beating Pateadores 1-0 in the final.

Atlas from Mexico will return to Manchester as Mexican Champions (they were Champions and represented Mexico in 2007 & 2004). They played Monterrey in the final match, final score 1-0.

Latest qualifiers for this year's MUPC World Finals

2008-05-29T15:58:00.008+01:00

We're just over half way to all our teams being confirmed for this year's MUPC World Finals, check out further information on each team in Road To. The Finalists so far:-

Germany - Eintracht Frankfurt
Italy - Juventus FC
Spain - Real Madrid FC
UK - Middlesbrough FC
Switzerland - FC Basel
Finland - FC Honka
Netherlands - Willem II
Chile - Audax Italiano
Brazil - Fluminense
China - Zhejiang Lucheng FC
Japan - Shizuoka Gakuen Jr. High School
Korea - Ansan Boogok Middle School
New Zealand - Central United
Host team - Manchester United

Watch this space - more finalist news coming very soon.....

Spanish Finalists joining us in Manchester

2008-05-29T15:52:00.006+01:00

Valencia was the venue last weekend for the Spanish finals. After an excellent couple of days of football, Real Madrid were crowned Champions after beating last year's MUPC World Finalists, FC Barcelona, by 5-4 on penalties.

Spanish Finalist to be confirmed very soon

2008-05-19T11:08:00.002+01:00

The Spanish finals will take place this weekend in Valenica - will it be Champions from last year, FC Barcelona, that return to Manchester to defend their title.

We will keep you updated on all the news from Spain and further qualifying tournaments happening soon....

All Stars of Premier Cup

2008-05-19T10:58:00.008+01:00

Over a million players have taken part in the Premier Cup since its inception, including some of the most celebrated young footballers in the World. Premier Cup graduates currently playing a starring role at the highest level for Club and Country can be found in 'All Stars', they include Carlos Tevez, Fernando Torres and PFA Young Player of the Year Francesc Fabregas.
'Cesc' played alongside Lionel Messi and Gerard Pique for the FC Barcelona 'Dream Team' in the 2002 Premier Cup and recalled:

"The Premier Cup is a good experience for all young players. It conditions you to play in a tournament at a high competitive level. At that age this can be a valuable experience that you can use later in your professional career."

Watch this space for what the Manchester United stars think of MUPC!

European Finals take place in Lodz, Poland

2008-05-19T10:46:00.009+01:00

Twenty of the best under-15 teams from across Europe gathered in Lodz, Poland this weekend to compete in the Premier Cup European Finals. The teams were playing to win one of three available places at the World Finals of Manchester United Premier Cup held in Manchester in August.

Switzerland's FC Basel 1893 were crowned Champions of the European Finals, after beating FC Honka from Finland in the Final by 2 goals to nil.

Consolation for the losing team and third place Willem II, is that the two clubs, alongside FC Basel advance to the MUPC World Finals in Manchester.

Central United return again to Manchester

2008-04-24T10:31:00.003+01:00

Central United qualified for the MUPC World Finals after winning the Pacific Finals in Melbourne over the weekend of 12-13 April 2008. The final score was 3-1 on penalties against Newcastle.

In early April Central had won the NZ Finals beating Kapiti Coast United 5-1 to qualify for the Pacific Finals.

Winning team from UK finals...

2008-04-11T10:57:00.000+01:00

Another great tournament took place at Warwick University this week and the UK finalist to join us at the World Finals in Manchester this summer is Middlesbrough FC. Middlesbrough took on Sheffield United in the final and were champions after a 3-0 victory.

UK Finals

2008-04-04T10:56:00.000+01:00

The UK Finals kicks off on Monday at Warwick University, with the Final taking place on Thursday 10th April.

Catch up next week on further news and we'll let you know which UK team was crowned Champions and will join us at the World Finals.

More qualifying teams join Juventus FC at World Finals

2008-03-27T10:46:00.001Z

Germany held their finals at the weekend and the winning team joining us in Manchester will be Eintracht Frankfurt beating Arminia Bielefeld 1-0 in the final.

And also last Saturday the fnal day of Chile's Manchester United Premier Cup took place, with 250 teams taking part across the country in the early stages of the tournament. The Champion on the day was Audax Italiano, beating Palestino 1-0 in the final match.

MUPC World Finals look forward to welcoming Juventus FC, Eintracht Frankfurt and Audax Italiano to Manchester in the summer.

MUPC 2008 first qualifying team

2008-03-12T10:42:00.001Z

This year's qualifiers are on the way for Manchester United Premier Cup World Finals 2008. Our first finalists to qualify is Juventus FC from Italy, beating AC Chievoverona 5-4 after penalty kicks.

Further news on MUPC tournaments and finalists from around the World will be here shortly.