ManU academy gives novices a kick-start
Doting parents join in the fun of first day of training
A group of budding football stars, so young that many needed help tying their bootlaces, played their hearts out yesterday as the Manchester United Soccer School in Hong Kong swung open its gates.
After warming up, the group of 60 seven to nine-year-olds were put through their paces at Hong Kong Football Club in Happy Valley by instructors including former England international Mick Duxbury.
The youngsters provided a thrill for their parents as they played against each other in eight teams, enabling the instructors to assess their skill levels.
One of the stars was eight-year-old Swiss goalkeeper Cedric Groebsch, whose family moved to Hong Kong only last month. Looking a little like United's Uruguayan forward Diego Forlan, with blonde locks and a temporary tattoo on his neck, Cedric impressed many of the parents watching from the sidelines with his composed performances between the sticks.
'[It was] fun, difficult,' a shy Cedric said afterwards in probably the first interview he has given in his footballing career.
His mother, Karin, said Cedric had been playing football since he was three.
Also showing off his skills on the ball was Justin Chan Siu-kwan, seven. Despite being a fan of Arsenal striker Thierry Henry, Justin bowed to his father's bias and wore the shirt of the Red Devils' teenage sensation Cristiano Ronaldo.
'Fame played a part, as I'm a Manchester United fan,' Edwin Chan said of his decision to fork out $4,500 for his son to attend the course. 'I hope Justin can have some fun, but still learn something.'
