Manchester City Abu Dhabi Cup Day 1 - in pictures

Action from the tournament at Zayed Sports City as 130 teams, covering five age-groups, took to the field

Etihad Sports Academy (plain red) vs Luceafarul from Romania (red/blue strips) under 12 age group on Day 1 of the Manchester City Abu Dhabi Cup Day at Zayed Sports City. All photos by Khushnum Bhandari for The National

Etihad Sports Academy (plain red) go up against Luceafarul from Romania (red/blue strips) in the under 12 age group.

Juventus (white/black) vs. ESG Football Academy from Oman (green) under 12 age group.

The ESG Football Academy from Oman (green) under 12 age group.

Techers Bahrain (blue) vs. Go Sports (red) under 8 age group.

Abu Dhabi City (light blue) vs Al Dhafra (dark blue).

Techers Bahrain (blue) vs. Go Sports (red) under 8 age group.

Boys from the Bahrain National team receive some physio.

There were plenty of activities going on off the field at Zayed Sports City.

Bahrain National team (red) vs. Legends soccer team from South Africa (white/blue) under 14 age group.

Desert Rangers (blue/black) from Dubai vs. Al Ain Football Club (purple) under 8 age group.

Bahrain National team (red) vs. Legends soccer team from South Africa (white/blue) under 14 age group.

Desert Rangers (blue/black) from Dubai vs. Al Ain Football Club (purple) under 8 age group.

Girls also took part for the first time, Abu Dhabi City team (blue) vs. Adissa (pink) under 14 age group.

Go Pro (red) from Dubai vs. UAE National team (white) under 14 age group.

Go Pro (red) from Dubai vs. UAE National team (white) under 14 age group.

The football pitches on Friday at Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi were packed as the opening day of the Manchester City Abu Dhabi Cup took place.

A total of 130 teams, spread across five age-groups ranging from Under 8s to Under 16s, are in action over the two-day tournament.

The participants are from Manchester, Melbourne, Romania, Sri Lanka, South Africa, GCC and the UAE competing.

Proceedings continue on Saturday with more games before the various finals are played to decide the group winners.

Check out a gallery of the action above.  To move on to the next photo, click on the arrows, or if using a mobile device, simply swipe.