Young Talents Light Up the Portuguese Sands in the U14 and U16 categories
The Madjer Beach Soccer Cup Matosinhos 2025, held on August 23-24 at Estádio de Praia de Matosinhos, Portugal, showcased the rising stars of beach soccer across the U14 and U16 categories, delivering two days of exhilarating action and memorable victories.
U14 Category
The action began on Saturday with Leixões SC edging Caxinas 6-4, while AD Buarcos 2017 showcased their strength with a 6-4 win over ACD O Sótão. The day featured dramatic turnarounds, including Caxinas’ 9-4 victory over ACD O Sótão and AD Buarcos 2017’s commanding 8-1 rout of Leixões SC. As the group stage progressed, AD Buarcos 2017 and Caxinas secured their spots in the knockout rounds with consistent performances.
Sunday’s semi-finals saw Caxinas narrowly defeat ACD O Sótão 5-4, while AD Buarcos 2017 dominated Leixões SC 5-1. The third/fourth-place match saw Leixões SC edge out ACD O Sótão 5-4, setting the stage for a thrilling final. AD Buarcos 2017’s relentless attack proved too much for Caxinas, with Hugo Filipe leading the charge as the tournament’s top scorer with 13 goals. Filipe’s exceptional play earned him the MVP award, while Gabriel Silva was named Best Goalkeeper.
AD Buarcos 2017 emerging as champions in a gripping finale. The young squad sealed their victory with a 6-1 triumph over Caxinas in the final, capping an exhilarating tournament filled with competitive matches and standout individual brilliance.
AD Buarcos 2017 topped the standings with 9 points, followed by Caxinas with 3, and both ACD O Sótão and Leixões SC with 3 points each.
U16 Category
In the U16 category, England’s Young Lions emerging as the undisputed champions clinching the title with an emphatic 8-1 victory over ACD O Sótão in the final. The tournament saw GD Sesimbra set the tone with a commanding 13-1 rout of Aves, while England wasted no time asserting their dominance, overpowering Leixões SC 13-1. The day saw more intense battles, including a closely contested 5-7 thriller between GD Sesimbra and England, and ACD O Sótão’s impressive 8-3 win over Leixões SC. As the group stage unfolded, England and ACD O Sótão emerged as the teams to watch, each securing crucial points to advance.
Sunday brought more drama, with Leixões SC staging a comeback to defeat Aves 7-2, and England continuing their relentless form with a 6-4 win over ACD O Sótão, and the English side went on to crush Aves 12-1. In the third/fourth-place playoff, GD Sesimbra overpowered Leixões SC 10-1, while the final match showcased England’s attacking flair, led by top scorer Ashton Cox, who netted 12 goals throughout the tournament. Cox’s brilliance earned him the MVP award, while Diogo Marques Neto Pórem was named Best Goalkeeper.
England, completing a perfect run, finished top of the standings, followed by ACD O Sótão in second place, while GD Sesimbra finished third. The youth tournament highlighted the growing talent in beach soccer, with all teams leaving a lasting impression on the Matosinhos sands.
The event also featured legends of the game in a charity match between Associação Acreditar and UNAOC Sports, with several personalities joining forces to support pediatric cancer awareness, adding a heartfelt dimension to an already spectacular occasion.
Photo Credits: Madjer Cup
