City have been drawn in Group B of the competition, which means they will take on Brazilian giants Vasco Da Gama as well as Singapore under-15s.
In the tournament’s other group Porto, Ajax and Singapore under-16s complete the line-up of teams contesting this, one of the world’s most prestigious youth tournaments.
Newcastle United and Everton both sent teams to the competition last season but it was Brazilian powerhouses CR Flamengo that walked away the trophy after defeating Singapore in the final.
“The Lion City Cup is the oldest youth tournament in the world,” said R Sasikumar, the group managing director of The Red Card, the tournament organiser.
“But when I speak to the clubs I also tell them that it is the best youth tournament in the world.”
This will be the 24th edition of the annual Lion City Cup, a tournament with a reputation as a proving ground for some of the world’s future stars.
City’s Youth Ambassador Patrick Vieira has spoken in support of the tournament which will be held at Singapore’s Jalan Besar Stadium from 23 June to 1 July.
There will be a range of events around the football itself, including a coaches’ clinic where staff from all the competing teams will be discussing their philosophies and training techniques, exchanging ideas on how best to cultivate a successful youth team.
Head of Coaching Scott Sellars will represent City at the clinic, a man with a wealth of experience in the game, having won promotion to the Premier League with Newcastle United in 1992/93. He has been based over at Platt Lane since October 2009.
We’ll be joining the team out in Singapore for the tournament, so expect tour diaries, videos and match highlights from the 24th Canon Lion City Cup on the site later this month.
