2019
- When 27 Dec 2019 - 29 Dec 2019
27 - 29 December 2019
The competitions of the 24th edition of the LALIGA Promises Torneo Futbol Sub-12, which was held for the first time in the Middle East, were launched at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain, organized and supervised by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, in cooperation with the Spanish Football League (La Liga).
Three workshops were held over the three days, targeting coaches, players and administrators of Abu Dhabi academies and clubs to learn about the best international experiences in football.
The first workshop was held for referees and conducted by referees Cesar Barrenechea and Arturo Dodin, while the second was held in the presence of Spanish coaching legend Vicente del Bosque, coach of Real Madrid and the former Spanish national team that won the 2010 World Cup and 2012 European Nations Cup. On the third day, a workshop was held in the presence of La Liga ambassador Fernando Morientes, Fernando Sanz, and Esteban Suarez.
The tournament witnessed the participation of 3 local teams, comprised of the host Al Ain, Al Jazira and Baniyas, in addition to 13 international teams: Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Espanyol, Real Madrid, Real Betis, Sevilla, Valencia, Villarreal (Spain), Juventus and Inter Milan (Italy), Borussia Dortmund (Germany), Paris Saint-Germain (France), and Benfica (Portugal).
A simple opening ceremony for the tournament began with the country's national anthem, followed by a welcome speech delivered by Talal Al Hashemi, Executive Director of the Sports Development Sector at the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, followed by a speech from Fernando Sanz, representative of La Liga.
Then the parade queue for the teams participating in the tournament began. After this came the folk music segment with the war band, followed by the referees, coaches and players undertaking the tournament oath. The group stage matches began immediately at five o’clock in the evening between the Spanish teams Barcelona and the Italian Juventus in the first group, which also included Real Betis of Spain and Al Ain of the United Arab Emirates.
The second group included Atletico Madrid, Sevilla, Inter Milan and Bani Yas, while the third group included Espanyol, Valencia, Borussia Dortmund and Benfica. Finally, the fourth group included Real Madrid, Villarreal, Paris Saint-Germain and Al Jazira.
The time for each half was 12 minutes in the first and quarter-final rounds of the tournament, while the timing was increased in the semi-final matches to 15 minutes for each half, and for the final to 20 minutes. On the sidelines of the tournament, an area designated for fans also accommodated all family members.
Winner: Real Madrid / Runner-up: Sevilla
Top Scorer: Jose Antonio Reyes (Real Madrid)
Best Player: Jose Antonio Reyes (Real Madrid)
Best Goalkeeper: Diego Diaz (Atletico Madrid)
Best Coach: Luis Miguel Garcia (Sevilla)