On Wednesday 29th March the FIS HK Football Teams travelled to Shanghai to compete in the 6th edition of the French Schools of Asia Football Tournament. 30 students and 3 coaches departed for three days of competition in the U19, U15 and U13 Boys Football categories. Given their success last year, winning both the U19 and U13 competitions the expectations were high, yet possibly even more so for the U19 who were hoping to be crowned champions for the third year in a row. The conditions were somewhat different for the players with the temperature hovering just above 10 degrees and the rain clouds looming over head, simply coping with the cold and wet weather was the first challenge for the players! Then there was the grass pitch and consequently the MUD! Not quite the flat astro turf that many of the boys are accustomed to in Hong Kong! Despite the challenges all teams performed very well.
Both the U13 and the U15 had mixed fortunes in the tournament. The U13’s finished 5th overall with Aran YVON from 5eme winning the player of the tournament for his age group. The U15’s started slowly, however they managed to redeem themselves and finished 6th in the end, showing some good spirit to come back from several defeats on the first day. However it was undoubtedly the U19 who held the limelight in this year’s competition. Fielding possibly a stronger team that won the tournament last year, they were clearly the tournament favourites from the beginning. Yet despite winning all but two of the games, which they drew 0-0, and without conceding a goal in open play in the entire tournament, the team lost the final to Shanghai on penalties. Heart breaking for the players yet they held their heads gallantly in defeat! Axel ADLER was also awarded player of the tournament for his age category.
Congratulations to all the boys who participated and thank you to the parents and teachers who supported this event.
Look at the pictures here