Tough opponents
On the pitch, the U17s took on three big-name sides in Palmeiras, Sao Paulo FC and Corinthians. Palmeiras fielded a team featuring players from the U17 to U20 age brackets, but VfB’s youngsters delivered an impressive performance despite losing the game 1-0.
The meeting with Sao Paulo FC’s U17s – which was played in three 30-minute periods – proved to be much more successful. After falling behind early on, VfB turned the game on its head in emphatic fashion, cruising to a 7-1 victory. Their final match against Corinthians ended in an evenly matched 1-1 draw.
U17 head coach Chris Brauer said: “We had an outstanding few days in Brazil, with excellent conditions and good friendly matches. Brazilian football is physical and characterised by players’ individual ability. We were able to work on a few things on the pitch, and off it the boys gained valuable personal insights and bonded as a team.”
Special experience
The VfB youngsters’ eventful itinerary offered them an exciting glimpse into Brazilian culture and everyday life. Their visit to the Instituto Sementinha – a social project founded by VfB legend Cacau to help underprivileged children and young people in Mogi das Cruzes – and a tour of the Paraisopolis favela both left lasting impressions and highlighted the important role that sport and education play in helping youngsters in Brazil, and how sport can serve as a bridge between cultures.
Memories to last a lifetime
The U17s’ journey to Brazil was a memorable one on and off the pitch. The trip not only gave them the opportunity to rub shoulders with Brazilian youth players but strengthened the team as a group and provided them with plenty of inspiration for the future.