School footballers compete for chance to see Manchester derby

The teams are competing in the Dubai Schools Cup, where the winners will be flown to the UK to watch Manchester United play Manchester City on April 12.

DUBAI // Eight teams are through to the semi-finals of the Dubai Schools Cup football tournament, where they will be competing for a chance to watch Manchester United play Manchester City on April 12 in one of the UK’s most prestigious derby games.

On Saturday, teams of pupils aged 12 to 17 took part in the last 16 and quarter-final matches at Dubai Sports City.

Ali Omar, director of the sports development department at Dubai Sports Council, said: “The Dubai Schools Cup provides schoolchildren of all nationalities with a unique platform where their skills are tested every week.”

Strong contenders in the U14 boy’s category were Rashid Bin Saeed School for Boys and Le Lycée Libanais Francophone Privé, who both reached the semi-finals.

The other two schools who progressed were Lycee Francais International George Pompidou, last year’s champions, and, last year’s runner-up, the International School of Choueifat – Dubai.

“We have been through a lot as a team especially after last year when we came so close to winning the tournament. It feels great that we qualified and we won’t let the prize get in our heads.” Naser, the captain from International School of Choueifat-Dubai, said after his team’s win.

Former Real Madrid player and Spain internationalist Michel Salgado, who is director of Dubai Schools Cup, was observing the matches. He said: “What is unique about the Dubai Schools Football Cup is what we call pure football – it is like creating a tournament for kids of all footballing capabilities from street football and upwards and it is great to see these amazing kids competing.”

The semi finals and finals of all four categories of the competition take place at 9am on March 7.