The FC Bayern U13s set off for Japan on 27 August. The destination for the trip was the city of Osaka (the third biggest Japanese city after Tokyo and Yokohama). The youth team competed in the U12 Soccer World Challenge tournament. In addition to a number of Japanese teams, there were also teams from China (e.g. from top side Guangzhou R & F Football Club), Thailand and an FC Barcelona youth team.
In the battle for a quarter-final spot, FCB faced Ventforet Kofu, Nara Club Junior and Daiwa House Dreams in the group stage. The semi-finals and final are on Sunday 1 September at the Panasonic Stadium, home to Gamba Osaka. The matches will be broadcast live on the Japanese Bundesliga partner Sky Perfect. In addition to the challenges on the pitch, the FC Bayern youngsters also have a sightseeing tour of the harbour port of Osaka. We wish our lads great success and exciting experiences.
FC Bayern coaches in the USA and China
The first Residential Camp, organised in cooperation with the youth partner Global Premier Soccer (GPS), was held in Canada from 11 to 15 July. Over 100 boys and girls trained under the guidance of FC Bayern coaches. Another two Residential Camps were staged in the USA in August. One in Santa Barbara and one near to Chicago. World Cup winner Klaus Augenthaler was one of the coaches at both camps. With the support of another three FCB coaches, each camp looked after over 100 teenagers. The best players from all the Residential Camps have the opportunity to attend trial sessions in Munich.
The GPS Tour called into Munich a few days after the camps in the USA. 20 children from the ages of 11 to 16 had the chance to get to know Munich and, above all, FC Bayern. The programme of events included great training sessions with Bayern coaches as well as an exclusive tour through the new FC Bayern Campus.
Ten coaches from the record champions were also on the road in different cities in China during July and August to lead the regional and national camps of the Chinese education ministry. From several thousand participants, the most talented players were selected for the national school football teams. Next year, the best players from these camps will be invited to the FC Bayern Youth Cup China 2020. The ten best players from the national final will then travel to the big Youth Cup Finals in Munich in May 2020.