Evergrande Group, the owners of Chinese Super League (CSL) outfit Guangzhou Evergrande, announced at a press conference on April 12 that they will launch an U-17 International Football Championship in order to support youth football training in China. 

At the press conference, the Group revealed that the 2018 U-17 International Football Championship will begin on April 22 in both Guangzhou and Shenzhen, Guangdong Province. In its debut year, eight U-17 teams including six overseas football clubs and two domestic clubs will take part in this tournament. 

To ensure a high-quality event, the head coach of China’s Men’s National Team, Marcello Lippi will be recruited as the Director of the 2018 U-17 International Football Championship. All tournament games will be staged at professional football stadiums including stadiums in Guangzhou and Shenzhen, as well as those stadiums used in the 2010 Asian Games, the 2011 Universiade and 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualification in Asia.  

The 8 teams participating in this event are as follows: 

Group A:

Guangzhou Evergrande FC (China), Valencia (Spain), Boca Juniors (Argentina), Kashima Antlers FC (Japan) 

Group B:

Hebei China Fortune FC (China), Inter Milan (Italy), Grêmio (Brazil), Espérance Sportive de Tunis (Tunisia)

Source: xinhuanet.com

Proofread by Raymond Fitzpatrick