THE 5TH YAMAHA ASEAN CUP U-13 FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT

6th July 2013 – The Yamaha ASEAN Cup U-13 Football is a football tournament for youth under the ages of 13 years old involving teams from Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and India. This tournament is initiated by Yamaha Motor Co., Japan where it is part of their efforts to contribute to youth development through sports. Particularly for this tournament, developing football skills of the players and teams by providing an opportunity for them to compete with teams from other countries. The aim of this event is to make it a tournament that will feed the dreams and ambitions of young players who wish to someday compete in competitions at a higher level as well as paving the way for youth to step toward the world stage.

The first Yamaha ASEAN Cup was in Da Nang, Vietnam in 2008. Indonesia hosted the second edition in Jakarta the following year before it moved to Muang Thong Thani in Thailand in 2011, and Malaysia hosted the fourth edition in Petaling Jaya last year, Co-organized by Hong Leong Yamaha Motor Sdn. Bhd. (HLYM)

As host, Malaysia fielded two teams – Malaysia Yellow and Malaysia Blue competing with teams from Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and India where the tournament was held in Stadium PJ, Kelana Jaya from 13^th to 15^th July 2012. The defending champions Thailand came from behind to edge Malaysia Yellow 2-1 in the final and retain the title from the 4^th edition of the Yamaha ASEAN Cup U-13 Football Tournament. Meanwhile, in the playoff for third place, Malaysia Blue edged Vietnam 1-0, Malaysia Blue won 3^rd place.

This year, the 5th Yamaha ASEAN Cup U-13 Football Tournament will be co-organized by Yamaha Motor Vietnam Co., Ltd. (YMVN) and will be held from 4^th to 6^th of October in Hanoi, Vietnam. In conjunction with this, HLYM is also making preparations to challenge for top honors for this year’s competition. With their continuous involvement as the title sponsor for the Liga 1MCC Hong Leong Yamaha 2013 Football League organized by 1 Malaysia Cardiff City Football Academy Sdn. Bhd, we can rest assured that there will be a vast pool of talents to tap on.

The selection of the 5^th Yamaha ASEAN Cup U-13 Football Tournament was held in University Malaya from the 6^th-7^th of July.Invitations and information were sent to teams and players from the Liga 1MCC as well as an open trail for players who are not associated with the Liga 1MCC. A total of 187 children turned up for the trails.

Throughout the 2-day selection, qualified players came from as far as Johor as well as Melaka, Perak, Kedah and Klang Valley. 30 players were shortlisted based on their match temperament, football skills, tactical knowledge and awareness. After the festive seasons, a series of competitive friendly matches will be play and subsequently, the final 18 players will be selected to represent Team Malaysia. These players will then check in for a week of long training camp in Agro Bank, Bangi, educating them with game philosophy and behavior as a football player in preparation for the upcoming tournament.

-End-