ACADEMY FOOTBALL: Everton boys off to Brazil for prestigious Future Champions U17s tournament
Dec 7 2010 by Chris Wright, Liverpool Daily Post
“It is for boys born in 1994 – an under-17s tournament. We go on Friday and play our first game on Monday against Corinthians. We will be there for 10 days. There are groups of three but the way the tournament works we will play five games. “As well as Corinthians we face Club America and Vasco De Gama, so we will get a real South American diet to start. There are play-offs no matter where you finish so everyone gets five games.” Also in the tournament are Brazilians Atletico Mineiro, Cruizero and Vasco De Gama, Mamelodi Sundowners from South Africa, Universidad from Chile, Uruguayan outfit Penarol, DC United from the USA and top European sides Barcelona and Paris St Germain. Dewsnip added: “We are in very prestigious company. You could argue that it is a world cup for individual youth teams. It is an incredibly exciting opportunity to match our skills and tactics from those around the world. It will be predominantly South American in the first instance but who knows from there. We could face European, north or south American or African opposition. It is pretty much the whole world. We can‘t wait and we will see how we go.” With the tournament taking place Everton’s scheduled clash with Manchester United at Carrington this Saturday has been postponed. Everton will not return to League action until the New Year due to the break for Christmas. Their first match will be against Crewe Alexandra at Finch Farm on Saturday, January 8 (kick-off 11am).