2014 Man United Premier Cup (MUPC)

[rondwisan]

ManUtd.com - 04/08/2014 08:49
Reds prepare for Premier Cup

Manchester is preparing to welcome some of the most talented young footballers in the world for the World Finals of the Nike-sponsored Manchester United Premier Cup (MUPC).

Over 8,000 teams from 43 countries, from grass-roots clubs to some of the most illustrious names in football, have fought their way through local, national and regional tournaments over the past year to win one of just 20 places in the 21st year of the most prestigious Under-15 football tournament in the world.

The all-important opening ceremony and draw will take place on Tuesday, with VIP guests, family and friends anxiously awaiting the group line-up at United’s Aon Training Complex. For the two finalists, the experience of a lifetime awaits. Both final teams will see their dreams come true as they walk out through the tunnel onto the pitch at Old Trafford on Saturday 9 August in the hope of becoming the 2014 MUPC World Champions.

MUPC offers a unique opportunity for stars of the future to live the dream of international football today. Over two million youngsters have benefitted from the Premier Cup experience over the last 21 years, testing their skills, their passion and their determination, against some of the best young players in the world.*

38 MUPC graduates were among the brightest young stars at the World Cup this summer, including Manchester United’s own ‘Chicharito’, who confirmed the benefits of playing at the highest level at an early age, and said: "I have really great memories of this competition with Chivas - although we didn’t reach the World Finals that year - we learned a lot about ourselves and each other.*

"These young boys are winners already and so lucky to have the opportunity to showcase their skills on an international stage - at these amazing facilities - against the best young players in the world. The best advice I can give them is to continue to dream of the Old Trafford final, play with passion and, above all, enjoy their football."*

Of the young teams travelling to Manchester this year, only Brazil’s Internaçional have the experience of winning previously (2000), although host team United were runners-up to local rivals Manchester City in the first-ever Old Trafford final back in 2004. MUPC is widely recognised as a testing ground and coaching staff learn a great deal when their youngsters face top international teams in such a challenging tournament format.

The development of young talent is the ultimate goal for many participating clubs, like Feyenoord, Valencia, Hertha Berlin and Chelsea's Frank O'Brien, who is “looking forward to the challenges ahead”, while coach Federico Coppitelli from four-times World Finalists Roma is hoping to evaluate his own performance and “understand our team’s value at an international level”.

Mamelodi Sundowns, Waitakere City, Sturm Graz and Malmö are newcomers to this stage of the competition and hoping to represent their club and their country to the best of their ability, as are more experienced sides from Espérance Sportive de Tunis, Shandong Luneng Taishan and Sanfrecce Hiroshima, whose coach Tomokawu Iwanari is excited by the challenge of seeing his team "face international opposition for the first time."

Coach Boris Kichkin from MUPC European Champions FC Dynamo Moscow confidently predicts that his team will "win MUPC this year!" He may face some tough opposition from equally confident teams Assumption College Thonburi, Rosario Central and Tigres. Tournament newcomers Weston FC, inspired by the national team in Rio, are looking to give of their best and maintain hopes for the future of US football.

All participating teams are travelling to Manchester dreaming of lifting the world championship trophy, but coach Marcelo Neveleff summarises the long-term goals of many of his fellow coaches this year: "My expectation is for each player to appreciate the importance of hard work, resilience and commitment to getting better. I am hopeful that each of the players will develop a deeper respect and appreciation for the love and passion required to play at a high level."*

As youngsters around the world come together for the football experience of their lives, Nike and Manchester United join to thank them for their passion and commitment to ‘the beautiful game’ and look forward to welcoming them to Manchester. MUPC - the future of football, today.

[rondwisan]

ManUtd.com - 05/08/2014 21:07
Reds learn MUPC opponents


Manchester United have been drawn in Group C of the Premier Cup, which is being staged at the Aon Training Complex this week.

The Nike-sponsored event for Under-15s was won last year by Dinamo Zagreb but the Reds face opposition from Feyenood, Sanfrecce, Tigres and Mamelodi Sundowns as they bid to reach the final at Old Trafford on Saturday.

"Our young boys feel incredibly privileged and*humbled to welcome teams from all around the world to MUPC," commented United coach Tommy Martin.

"There will be so much we can learn from each other. Every team is here to win - and that mentality is important in football - but it is crucial to remember to enjoy the experience, enjoy our football and enjoy whatever the next few days may bring."

Group A: Chelsea, Malmo, Roma, Waitakere City, Rosario Central.
Group B: Hertha Berlin, Valencia, Joongdong, Assumption Thonburi, Weston FC.
Group C: United, Feyenoord, Sanfrecce, Tigres, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group D: Dynamo Moscow, Sturm Graz, Shangdong, Internacional, Right To Dream.

[rondwisan]

06/08/2014 12:30 - ManUtd.com, A Marshall & M Shaw
Reds end day one on a high


United's Under-15s had mixed fortunes on the opening day of the Manchester United Premier Cup at the Aon Training Complex.

Torrential rain prior to the first game against Dutch outfit Feyenoord led to a slippery surface and the Reds were beaten 1-0 by a late goal. Goalkeeper Campbell made a string of fine saves to keep the Rotterdam youngsters at bay but had no chance with Choukoud's close-range winner.

United were largely restricted to long-range efforts with Gomes off target from fully 45 yards out on one occasion.

The second Group C fixture of the Nike-sponsored finals for Tommy Martin's team was against Mamelodi Sundowns with substitute Maddocks scoring the only goal of a tight game.

Tanner shot narrowly over the bar with the hosts' best attempt of the first half but Campbell had to be alert to race from his line to thwart Modise. After having a penalty appeal turned down, United finished the game strongly but it looked to be heading for stalemate until the late drama. Makela supplied a tremendous cross and Maddocks steered in a header to end the opening day on a high for the Reds.

[rondwisan]

Belum segarang senior-seniornya nih ...., c'mon U Reds ...
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07/08/2014 17:06 - ManUtd.com, A Marshall & M Shaw
Premier Cup: Young Reds tame Tigres

The Reds' Under-15s started the second day of the Manchester United Premier Cup with a heavy 4-0 defeat to Sanfrecce Hiroshima.

Mihara rounded off a fine team move to open the scoring after only two minutes and Murayama doubled the lead with a superb first-time finish.

United came extremely close to pulling the score back to 2-1 when a Gomes free-kick deflected inches wide and a goalmouth scramble enused from the following corner. But then two further goals followed for the visitors after the break with Akehi notching from close range and Semba curling a wonderful finish into the far corner of the net.

The young Reds finished the group stages with a battling 1-1 draw against Mexican side Tigres. The hosts started brightly as both sides traded chances early on - Butterworth's shot was deflected just wide and from the resulting corner Rankin-Costello headed just over, while United had goalkeeper Campbell to thank for preserving parity, his stunning save denying Garza Brezada when he looked odds on to score.

Campbell was eventually beaten though when Reyes Dominguez finished well, one on one, to put Tigres 1-0 up at half-time. United's heads didn't drop and the Reds were rewarded when Gomes was tripped just inside the area and Barlow stepped forward to level matters from the spot.

Despite a late surge, Tommy Martin's side couldn't find a winner, but they'll head into Friday's play-offs with renewed confidence after an excellent second-half display.

[rondwisan]

08/08/2014 17:44 - ManUtd.com, A Marshall & M Shaw
U15s' win ensures 15th spot


United's youngsters lost*on penalty kicks to Austrian side Sturm Graz in their first game on the second day of the Manchester United Premier Cup. The visitors had thrown away a two goal but held their nerve from 12 yards.

However, the day ended on a positive note with a 1-0 win over Weston FC to clinch 15th place.
Tommy Martin's side, buoyed by*Thursday's draw with Tigres, started well and Barlow had an excellent chance to put United in front but after rounding the goalkeeper he was crowded out. The Austrians then stunned the home side with two goals in three minutes. First, the skipper Wagnes won possession in the Reds half and advanced before firing an unstoppable drive past Campbell, then Fink doubled the lead, tapping in from Pilz's low cross.

But the Reds refused to lie down and pulled a goal back in the second half when Maddocks turned in from close range after Barlow had lifted the ball over the goalkeeper. Then a scramble in the Sturm Graz penalty area saw the Reds awarded a spot kick for deliberate handball. Barlow kept his nerve to draw the scores level and with the Austrians down to*10 men, United pressed hard for a winner and only a fine last-ditch tackle denied O'Sullivan.

But it was the Austrians who fared better from the spot and with the score at 3-2, Barlow's kick was saved by the Legat to give the visiting side the win. Following a heavy downpour, the sun came out for the Reds' final game of the tournament and Rankin-Costello headed the only goal of the game with Weston.

The Americans battled hard but most of the chances fell to the hosts with Gomes firing narrowly wide, Butterworth heading over the top and O'Sullivan forcing a brilliant save. From the resulting corner by Gomes, Rankin-Costello rose to power the ball home.

Garcia-Murillo went close with Weston's best attempt while United defended well throughout the second half as Butterworth prodded wide from a Gomes through ball and clipped a free-kick off target at the other end with the best efforts for Martin's charges.

The final will be contested between Valencia and Dynamo Moscow at Old Trafford with kick-off at midday on Saturday.

[rondwisan]

And congrat for the Champion ....
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09/08/2014 12:29 - ManUtd.com, Adam Marshall
Dynamo Moscow win MUPC

Dynamo Moscow have been crowned the 2014 Manchester United Premier Cup winners after defeating Valencia 1-0 in the final at Old Trafford.

The Spanish side enjoyed the lion's share of possession but were unable to find a way past an inspired goalkeeper and Moscow grabbed a goal against the run of play to succeed Dinamo Zagreb as holders.

United finished in 15th place*in the Nike-sponsored tournament and coach Tommy Martin explained what is next on the agenda for the schoolboys.

"They have a bit of a break," he told MUTV. "Then the Under-16 season starts next Saturday - some of them, who are Under-15s, will play in that game. On Saturday afternoon, we will then head to Lilleshall for a week's training camp with both the Under-15s and Under-16s."