XOLOITZCUINTLES YOUTH TEAM RUNNER UP IN FUTURE CHAMPIONS

PIMVILLE, South Africa –Club Tijuana Xoloitzcuintles de Caliente came up short in repeating as Future Champions Gauteng Under-17 tournament champions after losing to Club Atletico Mineiro of Brazil 5-4 in penalty kicks after playing to a scoreless draw in the championship final Saturday March 29.

The Xoloitzcuintles coached by Frankie Oviedo finished with a great performance in the international youth tournament in South Africa, being part of the Xoloitzcuintles growth in its youth categories.

Club Tijuana finished in first place in Group C with seven points with two wins (2-1 vs. Sunward Park of South Africa and 3-0 vs. Saki West of Nigeria) and a tie (1-1 vs. Aspire Acaemy of Qatar), winning in the semifinals (2-1 vs. Club CESD La Djiri of Congo). 

Club Tijuana congratulates its youth team for its efforts and great soccer level in this international tournament, reaching the final in the last two editions, winning the title last year.

“This is the step we took to have experience at the international level,” said Oviedo. “This tournament has served our players well and we are happy with our level of play. We always want to win, but on this occasion we came close in penalty kicks. But other than the score, we know that competing at this level is very important for these youngsters who might one day become First Division players with great fundamentals. That is our objective and to put Club Tijuana’s name amid the top names in the word is a great award for us.”