Urawa Reds and Valencia CF Triumph at JSSL Singapore Professional Academy 7s as STB Renews Long-Term Support

The JSSL Singapore Professional Academy 7s wrapped up on a high note on April 20, with electrifying finals that crowned Urawa Reds and Valencia CF as the 2025 Pro Girls and Pro Boys champions respectively. Marking an exciting debut, Japan’s Urawa Reds toppled two-time defending champions Valencia CF 3-1 in the Pro Girls final, while Valencia’s boys’ team secured their third consecutive title in a dramatic sudden-death showdown against Tottenham Hotspur.

Held across seven venues in Singapore from April 17 to 20, the tournament saw a record-breaking 7,700 players from 550 teams competing in one of Asia’s premier youth football events. For the first time, all matches were streamed live, giving fans around the region a front-row seat to the action.

Star Power and Sudden Death Drama

The event welcomed Liverpool legend John Arne Riise as Guest-of-Honour. Riise inspired young players at the JSSL Coaching Convention on April 16 and later presented trophies to the winning teams during the grand finale at The Arena in Woodleigh.

Despite a 40-minute rain delay on Sunday, spirits remained high as spectators filled the stands for an action-packed day. In the Pro Boys final, Tottenham struck first with a goal by Armend Muslika, but Valencia equalized late through Hector Falco. With the match tied at 1-1, the winner was decided in an intense sudden-death 3v3 format, where Valencia’s bold move to place centreback Isaac Cebrian in goal paid off. Cebrian scored the decisive goal, sealing another championship for the Spanish side.

Urawa Reds Shine on Their Debut

Earlier, the Urawa Reds stunned the crowd with a dominant display in the Pro Girls final. Nanoha Kataoka opened the scoring and later added a second, while teammate Kanon Tokoshu also found the net in a 3-1 victory over Valencia. The Reds had already beaten Valencia 1-0 in the group stage, and their tactical precision and resilience in Singapore’s heat proved decisive.

Looking Ahead: A Bright Future for Youth Football in Singapore

Adding to the excitement, the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) reaffirmed its commitment to the tournament with a new three-year partnership starting in 2026. STB has supported the JSSL 7s since 2017, and the tournament is set to return to Our Tampines Hub, Singapore’s largest community hub, in its next edition.

All age-group Cup winners this year will also receive free entry to defend their titles in 2026 — ensuring more fierce competition and unforgettable moments in the years to come.