Lion City Cup 2011

Lion City Cup 2011

Three of the four foreign teams competing in the Canon Lion City Cup have arrived. Together with the two Singapore sides, the teams are all set for one of the oldest youth football tournaments in the world and have started training at the Singapore Sports School.

Brazil's Flamengo, is one of the favourites in the six team under-15 age group competition. The South American who are expected to dish out Samba Scoccer, are well prepared.

Coach of the Flamengo U-15 team, Celso Martins, said: "[The team has] trained and played at the state tournament of Brazil, so I think the guys (have) good technique, good tactics, a good moment (for them to play)."

Two other English foreign teams and one from Italy, Juventus, which arrives on Saturday, will truly give the event an international flavour.

English sides Newcastle and Everton, names more familiar with Singapore fans have got to deal with more than just their opponents.

Arlen Birch, one of the centre backs of the Everton U-15 team, said: "Just to try and get used to the climate, just drink lots of fluids and keep the ball. Cause if we keep the ball, the opponents are going to be working in this heat."

The heat will be on the host fielding two teams, one of which is the Under-16, well known for their bronze medal performance at the 2010 Youth Olympic Games.

Coach of Singapore's U-16 side, Takuma Koga, said: "Of course (it is) important to win, but also important is improving their individual (skills) and their teamwork."

Their younger counterparts, the U-15s, are also a force to be reckoned with. The team will kick-off the campaign on Saturday against Newcastle at the Jalan Besar Stadium.

So far, only about 30 per cent of the 20,000 odd ticket on offer have sold. But organisers are not too worried, saying that ticket sales will pick as the competition progresses.