Students of SCIE football team travelled to Chiang Mai, Thailand to participate in the 2023/24 FOBISIA Football Championship before the Christmas holidays. After a few days of fierce competition, SCIE girls’ team won the third place and the boys’ team ranked sixth. This article is the feedback from the students who participated in the tournament.
Before the Trip
With two weeks to go until the Thailand trip, we started to prepare for the tournament in earnest. Due to the limitations of the school field (5-a-side football field) and the requirements of the game (11-a-side), Coach David took us to the 11-a-side field in Shenzhen for training in advance.
This trip to Thailand included members of Team A and Team B, and we didn’t know enough about our teammates because we were training separately. This gradually became evident during the game, with mistakes and communication problems in tactical drills and intra-squad matches revealing areas where we needed to work harder.
Life in Thailand
The overall experience in Thailand was truly unique and thoroughly enjoyable. Our entire stay was at the Alpine Resort in Chiangmai, a charming retreat nestled in northern Thailand. The resort not only provided us with exceptional accommodation and delicious food, but also offered a pleasing environment that enhanced our overall experience. Each meal was a delightful culinary adventure, as we eagerly sampled new and unfamiliar dishes not commonly found in China. From fragrant curries to exotic fruits, the diverse and nutritious meals allowed us to recharge after intense days of football matches.
In the brief moments we had to explore the resort independently, we discovered an array of entertainment facilities that catered to our every need. The well-equipped gym allowed us to maintain our fitness routines, while the Pingpong tables and pool provided moments of relaxation. Additionally, the resort’s meticulously landscaped grounds provided some great photos.
Beyond the captivating scenery and amenities, the people we encountered added another layer of richness to our experience. Interacting with people from diverse backgrounds, such as the players at Regents International Schools, allowed our team to form meaningful connections. Engaging in conversations that extended beyond football, we learned about their cultures, traditions, and personal stories. Exchanging social media contacts with newfound friends provided us with a truly eye-opening and enriching experience, creating lasting connections that transcended geographical boundaries.
The Gains and Growth
Our journey provided us with invaluable experiences, teaching us important lessons both on and off the football field. We learned the significance of teamwork and the importance of respecting others as representatives of SCIE.
For many of us, the opportunity to play 11-a-side football games is relatively rare. Our time in Thailand provided us with a wealth of knowledge about the differences between 11-a-side, 7-a-side, and 5-a-side football. The intense matches resulted in many of us experiencing small injuries and cramps. Despite the pain, we viewed this as a valuable experience that has expanded our understanding of how injuries can contribute to football. It also has underscored the importance of emphasizing teamwork over individual dribbling and prioritizing ball passing to secure victory and prevent fatigue and injuries.
We also came to understand the importance of unity within our team. Throughout our journey, we remained organized, and there were no situations where our teammates created chaos. We also recognized the significance of showing respect to our opponents. We understood that off the field, we are not opponents but friends. It was heartening to see some of our students’ forming friendships with players from other teams, showcasing the friendly and inclusive nature of our students.
Grateful for Coaches’ Support
Dear Mr David, Mr Bob, Mr Edward and Miss Tian, we wish to extend our deepest gratitude for your selfless dedication during our journey to the Thailand tournament. Under the guidance of all of you, we didn’t just participate in the events; we had the opportunity to grow and progress.
Recalling our first match in Thailand, we were nervous, glancing anxiously at opponents towering over us on the field. It was Coach David’s continuous support and relentless encouragement from the sidelines that helped us bravely face physically stronger opponents, instilling confidence and belief, erasing our fears. Despite having only played on an 11-player pitch twice, we went toe-to-toe with our adversaries, playing passionately and vigorously.
All of your selfless dedication and steadfast leadership were instrumental in our success. Not only did you impart tactical knowledge, but also taught us the essence of teamwork, communication, and resilience. Under the guidance of all of you, our team evolved from fragmented individuals into a cohesive unit.
Once again, heartfelt thanks to the coaching staff, indispensable pillars of support and role models on our football journey! This experience will continue to drive us towards further progress, aiming to bring more glory to the school.
Results
During the event, we played against 6 other teams from various places in Asia and displayed a high level of competitiveness. After an intense round of football against each of the teams, we ranked 5th on the ranking board, 3 points behind 4th (Regents). Unfortunately, we did not qualify to play in the semifinals. The results were as below:
UCIS (0-1)
7th artillery 2nd team（1-3）
7th artillery 1st team（1-2）
Regents (3-0)
Shrewsbery (1-2)
Tsinglan（0-0）
Although the results were undesirable, everyone played at their best of abilities and created many phenomenal plays. However, due to the long duration and high intensity of the games, many players suffered from cramps and small injuries when playing back to back games that accumulated up to 80 minutes. Apart from this, a little bit of luck would have affected the situation massively since several players hit the posts and crossbars numerous times, deflecting the ball away from the goal.
In the fight for 5th place, we played against Tsinglan again, but lost 0-1 this time, ranking 6th place overall.
Since football involves physical contact some degree of aggression, a fraction of players may be provoked and lose rationality. As one of the least experienced teams, we remained modest and maintained respect towards all of our opponents. For this reason, we were awarded ‘fair play’ for displaying excellent sportsmanship.
Losing never feels satisfying for anyone, however the experience and knowledge that we as a team had gained can. From the first time playing 11-a-side football, to challenging international schools across the continent, the improvements could be measured. Whether it is the techniques and tactics or the joy and excitement, everyone gained valuable experiences from this precious trip to Thailand.
Girl’s Sharing
I was happy to attend the FOBISIA Football Tournament in Thailand with my teammates and coaches. As a graduating student, this is my 6th season for football, and also my last tournament in high school. We left school at 11:30 am on Thursday, played Friday and Saturday, and left at the very early time of 2:30 am on Sunday. It was really intense, especially as the Girls team only had 11 players in total to play 9-a-side games. We played 7 games in 2 days with each match being 55 minutes long and we only had two subs. We also had one set of back-to-back matches that only allowed 15min for rest in between.
We achieved 3rd place in the end, and all our hard work paid off. I would like to thank all my teammates who played full of resilience and strength throughout, even with injuries we still managed to try our best, without any of you, we wouldn’t have accomplished the tournament successfully. And of course, I would like to thank our coaches and all the teachers who were there to encourage and support, to tell us we should never give up no matter how tough it was and how good the other team seemed. Last, but not least, I would like to thank the host for having this event and inviting us there, thank you all for this wonderful journey and memorable experience!
——Cindy
- Article / Blake, Cindy, Hugo, Max, Terrance
- Pictures / Bob deWet
