Samui Academy take part in regional football youth competition

The biggest regional football youth competition this year took place at Thayapura sports and leisure club, Phuket, last weekend. 21-22nd Sept 2013

Teams from all over Thailand including Bangkok, Phuket and Pattaya as well as Samui descended to do battle in 4 age groups, U8’s, U10’s, U12’s and U14’s.

Samui United Academy led by coach Tom Siriyan Dixon were well represented with two teams in the under 8″s and under 10″s as well as a single team in the under 12’s.

Day one of the weekend saw several impressive victories for the under 8 “A” team and the under 10s “A” team insuring both teams reached the finals on Sunday undefeated.

The under 8’s “A” team, captained by Towie dominated their league, with great performances from Leo in midfield and Tom up front .while at the back Wave and goalkeeper Nathan stopped nearly everything that came their way.

The “B” team who had many players well below the age requirement showed great determination and desire but narrowly missed out on play off chances finishing fourth in their league. The future for them looks bright with many players aged 5 and 6 standing up well to the older competition in, for what for many was, their first tournament.

On Sunday, the eagerly awaited first two finals were contested between Samui United and Phuket with island rivalry and pride to fight for as well as the gleaming trophies.

The under 8″s played first against Phuket soccer schools the hosts of the tournament in soaring temperatures.

Despite a lot of early pressure from Samui United and great work in midfield by Towie, it was the Phuket Soccer School, goalkeeper who was winning the accolades as he snuffed out all the early chances. However, once again after strong work in midfield, Towie put Tom through and he coolly slotted the chance away. 1.0 Samui. After more sustained pressure Samui United, finally grabbed a second from Olivier and that was the game all wrapped up , sending the hoards of Samui parents on the touch line into rapturous and very noisy celebrations !

U8 Final Score: Phuket Soccer School 0 Samui United academy 2.

No chance for a rest though as within 20 minutes it was the turn of the under 10’s in their final, as again they faced the hosts Phuket Soccer School . This was a far tighter game with few chances for either side . Samui could have taken the lead twice early on but Phuket had their chances as well . With time running out a great move started at the back then played beautifully through the middle cutting the Phuket defense apart was emphatically finished by Film. The travelling Samui fans in the stadium ( yes a fantastic proper stadium with great facilities !) were again sent into wild celebrations ! Moments later the full time whistle went and Samui United Academy had two trophies from two finals.

U10 Final Score: Phuket Soccer School 0 Samui United Academy 1.

The whole tournament was excellently run and credit must go to coach Tom who has done wonders with the young boys from Samui United Academy.

Nearly ever school on the island was represented including children from SCL , ISS , Panyadee, Oonrak, Plai Laem to name just a few as well as a rainbow of nationalities including , Thai, English , Italian , Danish , Italian, Irish and French . The boys were a credit to their schools and to Samui.

Everyone is looking forward to the next tournament and the possibility of bringing more trophies and glory back to Samui. Well done boys .

For more information on Samui United Academy , who run 8 week courses throughout the year next to Bandon Hospital please contact

Samuiunited1@hotmail.com.

Story by Philip Space.

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