Lega Pro open title defence against Al Wasl

Lega Pro of Italy will commence the defence of their title when they take on Al Wasl on the opening day of the Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Under-19 International Football Tournament at Al Ahli Club grounds at 6.30pm on Saturday.

In the day’s first match, Dubai Club will take on hosts Al Ahli at 4.30pm.

Argentina’s Boca Juniors, Spanish giants Valencia FC and defending champions Lega Pro are the three foreign teams joining the five Dubai clubs participating in the third edition of the annual junior tournament that is meant to foster and encourage football talent at the junior level in the UAE.

Group B consists of Valencia FC, Boca Juniors, Al Nasr and Al Shabab and all preliminary round matches will be played at Al Nasr Club.

Each of the teams will play each other once to decide the top two teams in each group for the knock-out semi-finals. Each team will be allowed to field two unregistered players on a trial basis only during the course of the tournament.

In addition to the winner’s trophy and medals, there will be individual prizes including for the best goalkeeper and highest scorer and a Fair Play Cup for the most disciplined team.

On Sunday April 7, Boca Juniors will face Al Shabab while Al Nasr will take on Valencia FC at the Al Nasr Club.

The two semi-finals will be played at Al Nasr Club on March 13 followed by the third place play-off and final at 5pm on March 15.

The annual tournament is being held under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Sports Council.

“We are all set to go for this competition that is part of our vision to encourage junior footballers in the UAE,” said Ali Omar Al Balooshi from organisers Dubai Sports Council.

“We expect stars such as Diego Maradona and Michel Salgado to attend matches and that would be wonderful for the confidence of the young footballers,” the DSC official added.
 
FIXTURES

April 6 Dubai vs Al Ahli; Lega Pro, Italy vs Al Wasl.

April 7 Boca Juniors, Argentina vs Al Shabab; Al Nasr vs Valencia CF.

April 8 Lega Pro Italy vs Dubai; Al Ahli vs Al Wasl.

April 9 Al Shabab vs Al Nasr; Valencia CF vs Boca Juniors.

April 10 Dubai vs Al Wasl; Lega Pro Italy vs Al Ahli.

April 11 Al Nasr vs Boca Juniors; Al Shabab vs Valencia CF.

April 13 Semi-finals

April 15 Third place play-off; Final.

 

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