The GD/HK/MAC Youth Football Exchange, organized by Macao Sports Bureau and co-organized by Sports Bureau of Guangdong Province, Leisure and Cultural Services Department of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Macau Football Association, took place on September 24 and 25 at the miniature football field in the Olympic Sport Centre - Multi-Purpose Zone.  Guangdong won the championship in Group A and Group B whilst Macau gained second runner-ups in both groups. João Augusto da Rosa, head coach of the Macao Football Youth Academy stated: “We shouldn't pay too much attention on the rankings, instead we should value on what we have learnt in this exchange program.”

Guangdong won 2 games

The players were divided into Group A (Age 13-14) and Group B (Age 11-12). This year the Macao side dispatched students of the Football Youth Academy to participate in the competitions with Guangdong and Hong Kong counterparts, for which a single round robin system was adopted. Following an intense two-day competition, Guangdong defeated Hong Kong with 2:1 in the “9 yards” shoot-out session and Macao with 7:0 in Group A. Guangdong also defeated Hong Kong and Macao with 2:0 and 1:0 respectively in Group B. Hong Kong defeated Macao in Group A and Group B and claimed first and second runner-up in the competitions respectively. Macao Sports Bureau hosted the kick-off ceremony as well as the farewell luncheon and award ceremony after the exchange program.

Build friendship through the competitions

Since the sports authorities of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao signed the Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao Sports Development and Cooperation Agreement in 2003, the three parties have collaboratively committed to the development of youth sports. This is the tenth year since the GD/HK/MAC Youth Football Exchange Programme was first held.  The organizer hoped that the youth of the three regions could learn from one another, develop a friendly spirit and build up a solid friendship on the football field.

Head coach: the football players are gradually improving

João Augusto da Rosa, head coach of Macao Football Youth Academy said: “This summer we went to a training camp in Evergrande training base in Guangzhou. Our players who participated in the competitions had also attended the training camp. I witnessed that they did have an obvious improvement in football skills as well as tactics. I'm pleased with their performance and I feel their passion on football.” The major purpose of this event is to exchange with one another. Lo pointed out: “Every football player of the Guangdong team has strong ability. We should learn from their team work and tactics as well. I think that the students we are coaching in recent years are gradually improving themselves. Therefore we shouldn't judge them with the results. On the contrary, we should pay more attention on what they have learnt and how to do better next time. I believe that they must have learnt some lessons, and I also believe that they will keep improving.”