The Yellows’ youth setup has signed a year full of success and moments to remember
The Yellows Academy says goodbye to a year full of happiness. Several promotions, league titles and above all goals and more goals. The numerous Yellow teams have delivered unforgettable moments during the course of a year to remember. Also, multiple players from the Yellow youth setup have led the Spanish National Team to the top of their respective categories. The historic double of the U19s, the triple promotion of the women’s teams, the great season of Villarreal B, the U14s (Infantil A), 12s (Alevín A) and 10s (Benjamín A) league titles, and the creation of Villarreal Academy.
U19s historic double
The U19s (Juvenil A) signed an outstanding year for the Yellows Academy. The team managed by Miguel Ángel Tena achieved a historic double, by being crowned champions of Group 7 of the Division of Honor and the Copa del Rey.
Winning the Copa del Rey for the first time was the icing of the almost perfect campaign. The Yellows exceeded with solvency in the final to Atlético Madrid 3-0. The goals were scored by Jorge Galdón (2) and Fernando Niño.
If that wasn’t enough, the side just missed out on the triple, falling in the final of the Copa de Campeones against Real Zaragoza after a ‘lottery’ of penalties.
U12s triumph in Miami
The U12s (Alevín A) carried out a magnificent campaign in which they won the U12 Super League Championship. Consistency was the key to success, 27 wins in 30 games and a single defeat, totalling 83 points which helped them to win the title. The top goalscorer of the championship was a Yellow. David Beltrán scored 27 goals to get the top scorer prize in the category.
The U12 team also won the Villarreal Yellow Cup Miami, which took place in Florida for the first time. Given the expectation of more than 3000 attendees, the Yellow Submarine defeated New York Red Bull in the final 2-1. The Yellow team won a tournament that, driven by the club with the support of LaLiga, turned Miami into the epicentre of North American grassroots football for a weekend. In addition, the talented Yellow team signed a creditable performance in the various editions of LaLiga Promises.
The U10s exceed expectations
The U10s (Benjamín A) won the title of the U10 SuperLiga in a tight championship that competed until the last moment against Levante UD. To top off their great season, the Yellow side also won the Costa Girona Cup, beating Deportivo Miami 3-1 in the final. Another of the Yellow teams, U8s (Prebenjamín A) also lifted this precious trophy by beating FC Racing Blanenc in the final 6-1.
U14s records
The U14s (Infantil A) made it a year to remember. Their season was impeccable, achieving first place comfortably. The numbers speak for themselves: 11 points ahead of second place, 100 points, 33 wins and only one defeat.
In the scoring side, Juan Enrique Herrero managed to be the top goalscorer of the championship by scoring an impressive 49 goals in 34 games played. In addition, another Yellow player, Unax Del Cura, who scored 26 goals, took third position on the podium.
A new ‘play-off’ for the reserves
The Mini Submarine qualified for the ‘play-offs’ for promotion to Segunda División for the second consecutive time. The team managed by Miguel Álvarez played an outstanding regular season ending in third place of Segunda División Group 3 with 62 points. Due to this magnificent performance, several important players such as Samu Chukwueze, Manu Morlanes and Xavi Quintilla joined the first team squad, playing minutes and being provided with the confidence of Javi Calleja.
The Yellow reserves were leaders of the bronze category of Spanish football for 11 matchdays, however they could no longer maintain this level in the promotion phase. The Villarreal CF second team fell in the first round against UD Melilla. Despite the elimination, the young Yellow players competed until the last minute of the season, offering an excellent image.
The Yellow COTIF
Four home-grown Villarreal CF players were crowned COTIF champions held in L’Alcúdia. Iván Morante, Álex Baena and Diego Collado did it with Spain U20s, while Aixa Salvador raised the trophy with Spain U19s. Álex Baena scored in the grand final and was later awarded the prize for best player of the tournament.
If that wasn’t enough, Baena and Morante, months before the COTIF tournament, were awarded the Slovakia Cup and Copa Atlántico with the Spanish National Team.
Gelardo, World Cup with Spain U17s
The young Aitor Gelardo was called up by Spain U17s to compete in the World Cup held in Brazil. The Yellow set a very good championship and reached the quarterfinals of the tournament.
Women’s triple promotion
The women’s section of Villarreal CF lived a year to remember. The women’s A, B and C teams won a triple promotion that will remain in the memory of the Yellow fans. The first team earned a place in the newly founded Primera B, the reserves achieved promotion to Segunda División and the third team were promoted to Primera Regional. The excellent results achieved during the past year showed the strong commitment of the club for women’s football.
Nerea Vicente lifts the Trofeo del Atlántico
The former Villarreal CF player, Nerea Vicente, was called up for Spain U17s to compete in the Trofeo del Atlántico, one of the biggest national championships of the lower categories. The homegrown yellow started and played 76 minutes of the grand final against the Canary Islands (4-1).
The creation of Villarreal Academy
Villarreal CF started one of its biggest international projects during 2019, the establishment of football schools in different countries around the world. Under the name of Villarreal Academy, this new project aims to train footballers worldwide under the recognised philosophy and working methodology of the Yellow entity. In recent months, the Submarine has promoted the creation of dozens of grassroots football academies spread across the globe.
