Dubai: The Dubai Expat squad for the Great Wall Cup tournament, which gets under way in Beijing later this month, has left in two batches.
The squad of 27 expatriate under-16 footballers chosen from Dubai schools is led by Benjamin Biju. The first group of players left on Tuesday and another group left on Wednesday. The annual tournament, now set for its fifth edition, kicks off in the Chinese capital from July 26 and will be held until August 2.
The Dubai Expats — comprising players from CF Football Academy and Future Stars — are scheduled to take on teams from some of the top footballing nations, including Brazil, Argentina, Spain and Germany.
Following the announcement of the squad, the players underwent regular training sessions under the guidance of senior coaches Suman P.V., former Central Bank of India player Russell Rosario and technical director Julian Spadigam.
“I think the entire squad has evolved and gained momentum during the course of the past two months. Besides the skills, the players possess a lot of confidence, courage and commitment heading into this tournament,” Rosario said before the team’s departure to China.
More than 50 countries have confirmed their participation for the tournament to be held at the Bird’s Nest Olympic stadium. The Dubai Expats will face a Hong Kong team in their opening match on July 27 followed by matches against hosts Beijing, Sekaya SC, Beijing Sunshine FC and Bowen FC.
The competition is being played on a league basis and the team with the maximum points at the end of five matches will be declared the champions.
“We have made use of the resources we have here to ensure the best juniors make this trip to China. They are young and ambitious and I am convinced they will return as better footballers,” Rosario added.
The event is being hosted by the Beijing Football Association, which has been affiliated to the Chinese Football Federation since its inception.
