Makati FC is ready to showcase its talents against the world’s finest youth football players in the Gothia World Youth Cup from July 14 to 20 in Gothenburg, Sweden.
The decorated Philippine youth club, now on its 39th year of participation, will field in teams in the Girls 14 (2010) and Girls (2012) and Boys 13 (2011) division.
Makati FC will unveil 11 exceptional kids from the provinces to travel with the club.
Among the talents is Shine Cadayona from San Carlos City, who will travel to Europe for the first time along with Yona De la Calzada from Cebu, who was part of the Girls 14 team which secured a silver.
Meanwhile, Grace Gella from Pontevedra will return to team up once more with Ariana Gementiza and Ella Chua, who were part of the Girls 12 team which finished third place.
Prior to competing in the Gothia Cup, Makati FC will make its return in the Helisinki Cup after a 30-year hiatus from July 8 to 14 in Finland. The 45-strong delegation left for the club’s Euro sortie on Saturday.
Last year, Makati FC had its two girls teams achieve podium finishes in the world’s largest youth football tournament.
The Girls 14 squad put up a valiant stand before bowing to Sweden’s Kvarnsvedens IK, 7-8, via penalties after a 2-2 draw at extra time, marking the first time after 38 years that Makati FC was in the finals stage.
The Girls 12 team, for its part, went home with third place.
Makati FC also emerged triumphant in Asia’s premier youth football tournament, by bagging the Paul Parker overall championship in the JSSL 7s in Singapore last year.
Competing overseas not only hones Makati FC’s skills on the field but also shapes them into well-rounded individuals.
Founded by Tomas Lozano, who pioneered youth football in the country in 1976, Makati FC has played a very important role in developing athletes in Philippines.
Since then, Makati FC has produced a lot of football stars who shone in domestic leagues and in international play.
