Renown FA U-16s impress at Manchester City Abu Dhabi Cup
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The Under-16 team of Renown Football Academy made a remarkable achievement at the Manchester City Abu Dhabi Cup 2024, becoming the overall third in the age group. The tournament, where a total of 166 teams participated representing 12 countries, was held at the iconic Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi on February 17 and 18.
The Renown FA Under-16 team played a total of seven games in their category and finished with an impressive record of three wins, two draws and two defeats, advancing into the third place playoff. The third place playoff, played against Go Pro Under-16s from the Netherlands, ended in a 1-all draw and the winner was determined through a penalty shootout.
Renown FA won the third place playoff by 3-2, to become the Under-16 overall third best team at the fifth edition of the Manchester City Abu Dhabi Cup, which was inaugurated in 2017. The 2024 edition of the Manchester City Abu Dhabi Cup came to a thrilling conclusion last Sunday at Zayed Sports City, with 24 teams emerging as winners in the region’s Tournament of Choice following a record-breaking competition in the UAE. The two-day featured over 2,200 players with 166 teams from 13 countries flying into Abu Dhabi from around the world to take part in the youth football tournament.
In total 1,656 goals were scored across the 573 matches as players and fans enjoyed an international festival of football at Zayed Sports City, celebrating the beautiful game and the continued growth of the sport in the region and beyond.
As part of the tournament, Go Pro U10s from the UAE were selected as the winning team to enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the City Football Academy in Manchester, where they will join training sessions with coaches on the same pitches as the stars of Manchester City.
The Abu Dhabi Cup weekend was filled with entertainment on and off the pitch, with the City Village providing fun for players and families with interactive experiences from Puma, Aldar and Experience Abu Dhabi alongside surprise appearances from club mascots, Moonbeam and Moonchester and the return of Manchester City’s ‘Big Five’ display for fans to get an up close look at the Treble and the club’s five trophies from 2023.
The annual youth football tournament was open to boys and girls from around the world of all backgrounds and ability levels, across a wide range of ages with the aim of inspiring youngsters to play the game and develop their skills. This year’s event attracted more than 2,200 players from 13 countries on four continents and 6,000 spectators.
The tournament was played for the City Cup, City Plate, City Trophy and City Shield titles with one team guaranteed with an all-expenses-paid, once-in-a-lifetime trip to the City Football Academy in Manchester, through a draw among all City Cup winners of all age groups.