July 25, 2008. Third game: Vithalaya school

After school on Friday a match was planned against the football team of Vithalaya school on Petchakasem road in Hua Hin. It was clear that this game would be a difficult one, because we already met the Vithalaya team in an "indoor" competition (small field, but due to the good weather in Thailand played outside) at Market Village somewhere in December of last year. At that moment we lost 0-10 against them in 40 minutes. Today we really did not have any chance against Vithalaya school. They were absolutely better than the Somtawin team; they outsmarted us with their personal technical skills as well as game tactics. In the end we lost 5-1... Some of the highlights were Charly and Billy, who really were one of the few able to keep up with the higher level of the Vithalaya level of playing, and the photos, that were taken with a professional camera this time. Enjoy the photos!

Matt's balancing skills

Great Vithalaya building

What are you doing there, Mr. Dan?

Charly in action

Half-time

Drive-by Somtawin fanclub

Free-kick

Again loads of supporters

4-0...

Great background - next time with a clean ball...:-)...

July 20, 2008. Second game: Thai-Nepalese adults

5 AM!!! This was the crazy hour (most Europeans still were awake on their Saturday night!) we had to wake up... leaving at 6 to be able to be at the wholy Somtawin grounds at 6.30 AM. All members of the senior team were already present (as well as some of the junior team) and coach Frances was doing his utmost best to get his Thai-Nepalese team there in time. They arrived just in time, 15 people in 1 pick-up taxi... love how they can be very practical. After Frances was able to fill up some of the worst wholes in the grass, the game started at approximately 7 AM. About 20 supportes (no kidding!!) were cheering on the team. As it was still early and we had quite some rain during the night it did cool of somewhat, but the heat of the game and the will to win (plus off course some extra drops of rain) got everybody somewhat overheated and completely wet after not more than 10 minutes in the field. Luckily one of the Thai-Nepalese players was able to lose the ball for a full 10 minutes by kicking it in the man-high grass (at least for some of the Thai-Nepalese guys) at the left side of the football field. The Thai-Nepalese were very eager to get the ball, but only few of them were really able to kick it to one of their fellow players. On the other side STW had some very good chances, but it looked like nobody dared to score Somtawin's first goal... Although not really reflecting the game untill that moment, the Thai-Nepalese team succeeded in scoring the first, and 5 minuites later also their second, goal. At half-time the score was Somtawin 0 - Thai-Nepalese 2... During the break, though, Frances was able to motivate his Somtawin team by stating that the Thai-Nepalese would play with some highly pregnant guys in the second half, and they thus should be able to catch up with the competitors. And indeed, not more than 5 minutes after the start of the second half Somtawin scored 1-2!! Super!!! And although your reporter was not able to see much of the second half, Somtawin even succeeded in scoring it's second goal AND even it's THIRD one! SO WE WON 3-2!!!! Goals were scored by Top (2x, 1 assist by Thomas, 1 assist by Martijn) and Billy (assist bij Mark P). Within living memory this was Somtawin senior's first victory! What is the secret? The coach? Absolutely! Was it the time of day? Hopefully not... Or just our very inspired group of youngsters? Undoughtedly!! Please go on like this, Somtawin senior team, if all of you keep being enthusiastic as this, you will soon become a complete, more professional and WINNING TEAM!!!!!

Letter: STW Football Coach & Training Programme (download and complete!)

Dear parents/guardians of the Somtawin Football Team players,

End of June you should have received a letter including permission slip via your son/daughter, because he/she is selected to be part of our Somtawin Football Team. In this letter it is told that we have a new trainer, additional training sessions and we will have regular matches. Because part of this activity will be done outside school hours, there will be additional cost. These will be paid on a 50/50 basis by the Somtawin school and the parents/guardians. This means that each player should contribute 500 THB per month.

Since a lot of slips were not yet returned it may be that you did not get the letter. If you click on the picture or THIS LINK you can download and print the letter. Please fill in the details and make sure your son/daughter takes it to school on shortest possible notice.

Many thanks, kind regards,

Mr. Steve, Miss Nongnoo, Mr. Henyo, Mr. Vrijken

Beach training on July 5th

Playing a game is great, but training really is a must. At some time in the future maybe to maintain the qualities the guys will then have, but as long as the qualities did not yet come out to their fullest, training is key! Today they trained at the beach, just a couple of 100 meters away from their old Somtawin schoolbuilding. As with every first time it was difficult to have everybody there in time, but at 3.15 PM they all were ready for Mr. Francis´ fitness training. Although there is no real picture evidence of the actual training, our guys were very enthousiastic and warming up as well as cooling down were taken very seriously by all. We heard Francis already talk about a new game next week against one or two of the other teams he trains, so they really have something to go for. Great work, guys!
Please find below some pictures that were taken today.

The ones getting there first started bit of a training by themselves.

The trainer just arrived, everybody eager to get into action!

Warming up, very important.

... very, very important!

Cooling down: also very important.

... also very, very, very, very...

... very very very important!!