The FC Bayern U-13s returned to Munich on Monday after five exciting days in Japan. The youth team had set off for the Land of the Rising Sun at the end of August. The youth team competed in the U12 Soccer World Challenge tournament in Osaka. The German championship shield was on display during the tournament. Besides a number of Japanese teams, sides from China (including top team Guangzhou R&F Football Club), from Thailand and an FC Barcelona youth team took part in the tournament.
Bayern drew 1-1 with Ventforet Kofu before beating Nara Club Junior 3-1 and a Daiwa House XI 2-0, winning the group and advancing to the last sixteen. They beat Japanese top team Yokohama F Marinos 2-0 before facing a Nigerian selection in the quarter-finals. Bayern narrowly lost the hard-fought match 1-0.
Highlight rounds off the trip
The other European top team, the FC Barcelona youth side, had been eliminated in the last sixteen, so the Catalans and the Bavarians agreed on a friendly. The match was staged at the Panasonic stadium, home to Gamba Osaka. More than 2,000 spectators saw Bayern narrowly lose 1-0, but the FCB players signed off with a lap of honour and handshakes with the fans after an unforgettable highlight for the youngsters.
In addition to the challenges on the pitch, the players enjoyed sightseeing tours of Osaka and Kyoto. The team visited Osaka Castle, Tsūtenkaku Tower and Osaka's famous district of Dotonbori. They also visited the Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto. The young talents also enjoyed teppanyaki cuisine and sushi.
The team will now prepare for the upcoming league campaign. The players will be back in action on 14 September, when they travel to face FC Ingolstadt. We wish our lads great success!
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