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“Our players are 14 years old, and this is the right age to start travelling, communicating with foreigners and competing with them on the field,” – Oshima Hideo says, the coach of “Yokohama Marinos”
II International Football Tournament UTLC Cup 2018 – Young Eurasian Stars 2018 among U-14 teams has started in Moscow on 15th of August. Tournament location is “Sapsan Arena” stadium. Closing ceremony and the final match will be held on August 19 at RZD Arena.
“UTLC Cup is the major social project for UTLC ERA, and we are very pleased to be one of the tournament organizers, – Alexey Grom says, the company’s president. – At the UTLC Cup everything is for real: there are yellow and red cards, spectacular goals and saves – everything in a very adult way, but better because children are playing.“
“These boys are visiting foreign countries for the first time, and UTLC Cup is a large tournament, so we wanted to take part in it. Our players are 14 years old, and this is the right age to start travelling, communicating with foreigners and competing with them on the field,” – Oshima Hideo says, the coach of “Yokohama Marinos” – the first Japanese club, which arrived in Russia for sports events.
“We have already participated in 6 similar tournaments in Europe: in Denmark, Great Britain, Sweden, Switzerland and Austria. There may be 4 or 5 groups in other tournaments, from 16 to 20 participants from Europe, Mexico, Brazil and other Latin American countries, – Tobias Kurbeweith says, the seniour coach of the German “Hamburger”. – The difference between UTLC Cup and other tournaments is more longstanding games – 60 minutes long, while a match in Europe lasts for 30-40 minutes. At home matches last for 70 minutes. Its better for players if a game lasts longer – they can learn more. Our team is taking part in UTLC Cup for the second time and we are very proud to play here again. Everything is arranged just perfectly: good hotel, excellent field, and outstanding Moscow”.
“For this sort of tournament 8 teams and 5 days of games is the perfect combination, as matches are held each day. Boys can rest a bit, and there is no need to wait too long. Other tournaments comprise too many teams, – Peaceful Nyass noted, second coach of the German team. – I have visited many events and none can be compared to UTLC Cup, because Russia is a wonderful country. It is useful for boys to see another country and how other players do the same work we do. Someone plays better, another one plays worse, but nonetheless proves himself. It is important to see this difference.”
On August 14, UTLC Cup 2018 was presented at TASS pressroom by UTLC ERA president Alexey Grom, “Lokomotiv” Executive Director Alexey Kirichek, RFU executive member Alexey Smertin, and a Russian national team football player Alexey Miranchuk. Players of junior teams “Lokomotiv”, Chinese “Zhejiang Greentown” and Japanese “Yokohama Marinos” were also present at the event. “My childhood was spent in the previous century, so surely, I had no experience of playing with foreign teams. Kazakhstan was at most, which was a part of the Soviet Union, – Alexey Smertin said. – I am from the Altai Territory, which shares borders with Kazakhstan. Meeting competitors beyond the region was already an achievement.”
Last year, 6 participants visited UTLC Cup, 66 goals were made, 11 balls per team. This year 8 teams are contesting for the Cup: “Lokomotiv” (Russia), BATE (Belarus), “Hamburger” (Germany), “Roma” (Italy), “Astana” (Kazakhstan), “Zhejiang Greentown” (China), “Sparta” (Czech Republic), and “Yokohama Marinos” (Japan). JSC “United Transport and Logistics Company – Eurasian Railway Alliance” (UTLC ERA), JSC “Russian Railways” and “Lokomotiv” football club are the tournament organizers. The Cup will be played under the auspices of the Russian Football Union (RFU).
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