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Inspired by teenage sensation Sergio Escudero, Japanese league club Urawa Red Diamonds won the Philips Lighting International Soccer 7s Cup on Sunday.

The Argentine striker, 16, scored Urawa's third goal in their 3-0 defeat of Holland's PSV Eindhoven in the final at Hong Kong Football Club. It was Urawa's first appearance in the annual event.

Urawa moved into top gear in the knock-out stage after two draws, including a 1-1 tie with English Premier League giants Manchester United, and a win in the pool games. They  beat Glasgow Celtic 2-1 in the quarter-finals, and then thrashed Hong Kong's Happy Valley 4-0 in the semi-finals.

Escudero scored a total of five goals in the competition, earning praise from his manager, Tsutomu Nishino, as well as fans. He has made just one senior appearance for Urawa, against Niigata in April.

'I am sure he will make more appearances for the senior team next season because he is just too good to miss out on the action. He definitely has a very bright future,' said  Nishino.

Urawa's successful sevens strategy saw Escudero play as a lone striker in front of two attacking midfielders, Shunsuke Ohyama and Takahumi Akahoshi.

The trio terrorised defences.

'It's been a brilliant tournament for me. I scored five goals and we have now won the cup. You can't ask for much more than that,' said Escudero.

United, the pre-tournament favourites, and Aston Villa were both knocked out in the quarter-finals.

United lost to Japanese side Central Coast Mariners, while 2002 and 2004 winners Villa were beaten by Happy Valley.

Lorenz All Stars won the Philips Lighting Masters Cup, beating Philips All-Stars 3-0.



Teen shines for Japan club