A youthful Leeds United Academy side recently competed in the prestigious Mohammed VI Football Academy’s Invitational International Tournament.
Held in Morocco, the Whites sent a squad comprised mostly of Under-18 players to Rabat to take part in a competition that features some of the world’s best sides from across four different continents, including South American powerhouses Boca Juniors and Palmeiras and a host of top European and English outfits.
Drawn into Group B, Rob Etherington’s team began their campaign with a victory over RS Berkane of the host nation, with central defender Miller Megson on target for United. Leeds followed that win up with a hard-fought success over La Liga’s Villarreal CF, separated by forward Carrick Njinko’s effort.
Despite a narrow defeat to Portugal’s Vitória de Guimarães, the Whites advanced to the quarter-finals where they were edged out on penalties by eventual champions AMF of Morocco, despite a goal from England youth international Sam Alker in regular time.
A different opportunity for the club’s youth prospects to test themselves against the very best, boss Etherington believes these occasions, alongside the U18 Premier League games programme, puts the players in good stead as they bid to break into the U21s and beyond.
“The Mohammed VI International Tournament is a fantastic competition that brings together some of the biggest clubs from around the world,” he explained.
“During the trip, we have had the opportunity to compete against teams from four different continents, each providing their own unique experiences and challenges for the players to overcome.
“Tournament football such as this is an important part of the development of our young players and something we believe gives them the best chance of playing for our first team in the Premier League. The lads were unlucky to lose on penalties in the quarter-finals to the hosts, who went on to win it!”
The Young Whites will round off their U18 Premier League North campaign at the weekend with a trip over the Pennines to face Burnley.
