Indian kids stun Manchester City and Barcelona as they dominate Mina Cup

The first Mina Cup youth football tournament in Dubai included sides bearing the names of Barcelona, Manchester City and La Liga.

It attracted champion teams from Mexico, the UK and Austria. Some of the players involved had been hand-picked and coached by the former Real Madrid Champions League winner Michel Salgado.

And yet the most dominant side anywhere in it were a set of kids from India, all of whom were making their first trip outside of their home country, having secured passports especially for it.

On the opening day of the Under 12 event, Minerva Academy, from India’s Punjab region, trounced Barcelona Academy.

In Monday night’s final in Jebel Ali, they thrashed Dubai-based La Liga Academy 4-0. In between times, they did not concede a goal.

“I cannot believe we have won a tournament involving Barca, La Liga, Man City – it doesn’t feel like real life,” said Yoihenba Khwairakpam, Minerva’s goalkeeper.

“This is my first time outside India. When we were leaving, I was feeling nervous and excited that I was going outside our country and playing for our nation.

“We have the India flag on our shirt and we feel like we are representing our country as well as our academy.”

Under 12 – Minerva Academy

Under 14 – Unam Pumas

Under 16 – Fursan Hispania

Under 18 – Madenat

Khwairakpam, who was first introduced to the game and the wonders of Cristiano Ronaldo by his father who was also an ex-footballer, is from Manipur, one of India’s football hotbeds.

The players are scouted from five regions in the country, with 90 per cent of the academy’s current intake originating from India’s north east.

“Football is a unique sport and I love it very much, especially when we play a tournament with the support we get,” said Ishan Saikia, a