MAKATI FC’s Girls 14 (2010) left no stones unturned for its quest for the championship as the Gothia World Youth Cup officially opened Monday, July 15, in Gothenburg, Sweden.
The decorated Philippine youth club put up a gallant stand before bowing to Sweden’s Kvarnsvedens IK, 7-8, via penalties after a 2-2 draw in the Girls 14 Final last year. It marked the first time that Makati FC was in the biggest stage in 38 years.
A total of 1,910 teams from 75 countries, including the Philippines’ Makati FC, are competing in the world’s largest youth football tournament.
Now on its 39th year of participation, Makati FC will also field in teams in the Girls 12 (2012) and Boys 13 (2011) division, going all-out to battle it out against the finest youth clubs in the world.
“This event is the most international youth tournament in the world. I am happy to have witnessed its growth since the 80s. Looking back through the years I am blessed to be able to come every year with kids from. The Philippines showing them the beauty of football in Europe,” said club founder Tomas Lozano.
Makati FC is fresh from its successful return in the Helsinki Cup last week, where its Girls 12 and Boys 13 squad won the gold, while the Girls 14 secured a runner-up finish.
Bannering Makati FC’s title bid in Girls U14 are Ariana Gementiza, San Carlos City’s Shine Cadayona and Cebu’s Yona De la Calzada, who all played vital roles in Finland.
“This year I believe we have enough talent to finally win once more the Gothia Cup,” Lozano said.
The Boys 13 squad, meanwhile, seeks to improve its top 16 in this year’s 48th edition of the Gothia Cup.
