The U18 BISP Cruzeiro Football Academy High Performance College (HPC) side from British International School, Phuket (BISP) took part in the six-team Phuket Rajabhat University Cup for the first time on Tuesday 6 December, winning their first game against Phuket Technical College 4-1 after 80 minutes of tough football.
U18 Captain Daniel Pedroni said: “I thought that this game would be a good opportunity to challenge our team in a situation that we have never seen before. Both a physical challenge, in playing on a different pitch, and a mental challenge, in keeping our concentration against a Thai team that play with intensity.
“In my opinion we rose to the challenge very well. We adapted our game for the surface, playing a more direct and vertical game without dribbling too much, and for the most part kept out of contact with the opposition.”
“Offensively, we finished our earlier chances pretty well, although some later chances we missed could’ve taken the pressure off us. Defensively, we kept the ball away from the goal for the most part, with only one or two mistakes.
“I was especially impressed with the performances of our younger players, specifically Daigoro and Nicolai, who showed heart and desire to play in a game under such tough conditions.
“In order to improve for the next game, I believe we can retain possession of the ball a little bit better in order to form a greater structure to our attack. With a bit more courage and communication, I think we can do it,” summed up Pedroni.
The U18 boys play their second game today at 4.45pm at Phuket Rajabhat University.
For more information about football at BISP visit: www.bisphuket.ac.th/football