With week five of an 18-week season fast approaching, it’s safe to say the Dubai Sports Council Academies Championship (DSCAC) is in full swing.
Over 2000 players are representing 100 teams across 11 divisions in a youth league that brings together academies and national clubs from across the UAE to compete and develop.
And since kicking-off on October 20th it has certainly been competitive; now in its third season, the quality of teams has never been higher in the DSCAC, and – for the first time ever – there is an 11-a-side girls league.
Even at this early stage of the season, it appears the girls league – competed for at U18 level – will see three sides battling for top spot. As things stand, three of the six teams in the league are stranded on zero points, whilst the other three – UAE National Teams A & B and du LaLiga HPC Girls are flying high on maximum points after two (the UAE teams) and three matches (HPC Girls), respectively.
In the boys U18 league, things are equally as tight; in the 13-team league, three – City FC, Al Nujoom Team and du LaLiga HPC – are tied at the top with nine points from four games.
In U16 Group A it’s a similar story; du LaLiga HPC and City FC Reds sit on the summit with ten points from four games – their only dropped points came in a 1-1 draw with each other back on the opening weekend of the season.
In U16 Group B, it’s City FC White that lead the way with three wins from three, whilst in U14 Group A, City FC Reds have won all four of their games and sit three points clear of Spanish S.S. Iniesta.
Spanish S.S. Ramos have set the early pace in U14 Group B; they’ve won all four of their matches and sit three points clear of Al Wasl SC and AS Roma Academy.
At U12 level, Group A leaders Barca Academy Xavi are the only team to make a 100% start to the season – they sit two points ahead of Spanish S.S. Iniesta after four games.
In Group B, AS Roma Academy Red and Spanish S.S. Ramos both have ten points; City FC Black are just a point off them in third place.
At U10 level things are looking good for Spanish S.S. Iniesta in Group A – they’ve won all four of their games and sit three points clear of Foxes and Barca Academy Cruyff.
It’s even tighter in Group B; Barca Academy Iniesta are top with nine points after four matches, and just two points off the pace are LaLiga Academy Sevilla and Spanish S.S. Carvajal – ready to claim top spot if Barca Academy slip-up.
And that brings you up to date with how things look so far, but with a long way to go before the season comes to a close in April, things are sure to change a whole lot before all is said and done.