It wasn’t an easy road to the final for the Blue and Whites’ boys. Ruano’s team defeated UD Cassa by 3-0 as well as Girona FC, but lost to Club Libertad, meaning they qualified to the next stage of the competition in second place in the group. After beating Athletic Club (2-3) and Pacific Rubiales (1-0), the ‘Malaguistas’ got through to the semi-finals, and defeated UFB Jabac i Terrassa on penalties following a 1-1 draw at full time.
Ruano analyses the MIC 2014: “It was a very hard-fought tournament and a great experience for many of the players. In just a few games they lived through every emotion and eventuality; a defeat, an extremely tough rival, focusing on scoring as many goals as possible in order to qualify, having just 10 players on the pitch, penalties…The Mediterranean International Cup is a fantastic, highly prestigious tournament. The level of football has been very high, it was broadcast on television and overall has been a wonderful experience for us.”
The ‘Juvenil’ boys within Málaga CF’s youth academy are now focusing on the ‘Copa de Campeones’ taking place in Vera (Almería) between 5th and 10th May. On 23rd April from 11:30 a.m. the draws will be held for the ‘Copa de Campeones’ as well as the ‘Copa del Rey’ for this category.