Barça youngsters win United cup (1-3)

07.08.2010 14:52

Barça youngsters win United cup (1-3)

Aida Soriano

FC Barcelona were crowned as champions of the Manchester United Premier Cup last weekend when they beat Mexican side Pachuca 1-3 in the final at Old Trafford.

The Blaugrana’s triumph in the Under-15 tournament in England saw them mirror the success of the first-team and gave them their third win in the competition.

Goals galore

In a final marked by Barça’s battling display the Catalan side took the lead after ten minutes after food work from Keita Balde and they advantage was doubled when Godswill beat the Mexican keeper. Ebwelle then netted a third after the break to make Pachuca’s late effort a consolation.

Coach driver

Sir Bobby Charlton and Rio Ferdinand watched the FC Barcelona Cadete B team’s triumph from the stands as proud coach Victor Sánchez joined in the celebrations with his players at the end. "I am incredibly happy firstly that our boys played our normal fast-paced game keeping control of the ball and, secondly, that we are MUPC World Champions again,” he told the tournament website. “This title is for the whole team who made it possible. They really deserve it. Throughout every stage of the competition our plan was to play our own game as usual - and enjoy the experience. The boys have done everything we asked of them and represented their club with pride. My next goal is to help them develop their incredible potential and reach the FC Barcelona first team."

Three times

FC Barcelona have now won the tournament, that began in 1993, the most times with three triumphs. In 1999 Andrés Iniesta was a key player as the club lifted the trophy and in 2007 Marc Muniesa stood out.