VCF Academy play first game in Al Abtal International Cup

The VCF Academy participated in the Al Abtal International Cup this week, competing in an international Under-19s tournament promoted by the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Sports and involving some of the most prominent football schools in Spain, together with teams from the Middle Eastern country.

VCF Juvenil B played Saudi Future Falcons White in a 0-0 draw on Wednesday. The team is made up of mostly 16-year-old players, and have already sealed the top spot in Group VIII-B of the Liga Nacional.

Coach José Luis Bravo said that “As a club and as a team, it is a great growth. These are very beautiful experiences in terms of competitiveness and of forming a group. It helps us to get to know the players more and measure ourselves against teams and players from other areas and regions."

Luis Martínez, Director of Operations for the VCF Academy, added that “At these ages we usually compete regionally and we end up playing matches against the same teams -and the competitive level is different. We are interested in competing against other teams from other regions of Spain, as well as international teams that give us that high level of competitiveness; teams that we are not used to and who pose other situations that could be good for the growth of our players."

The VCF Academy's involvement in the Al Abtal International Cup will continue over the coming weeks. They will play Saudi Future Falcons Green in Group D, which also includes Saudi Future Falcons White and UD Almería. The tournament features Under-19s sides representing FC Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Real Zaragoza, amongst other clubs.