The Samui Youth Tournament holds a special place in our BISP Cruzeiro Football Academy calendar, traditionally taking place in September, the second month of the school year. This competition not only serves as a gauge of our team’s depth and potential for the upcoming season but also offers an opportunity for our players to shine. To kick off the academic year 2023/24, BISP Cruzeiro proudly fielded six teams: Under 11 boys, Under 13 boys, Under 14 girls, Under 15 girls, Under 16 boys, and Under 18 boys and girls, who competed from September 8th to the 24th at the Maraleina Sports Resort on Koh Samui.

Each weekend, our teams embarked on their journey to Samui, facing a variety of opponents. The culmination of these efforts led to the following results for the BISP Cruzeiro teams:

In the U11’s tournament, featuring eleven teams divided into two groups, our boys, despite only having one month of training, demonstrated remarkable determination, winning two matches and losing two in the group stage. Although they couldn’t secure a spot in the semifinals, the team’s fifth-place finish marked an impressive debut for most players who were part of the Cruzeiro Academy U11 team for the first time.

The U13 boys participated in a four-team tournament, performing admirably considering the presence of many new players and limited training sessions. They triumphed in two group stage matches and ultimately secured a silver medal after a closely contested final against Thep Mit Suksa School, with a score of 1-2.

In the U14 girls’ tournament, also with four teams, our young squad exhibited great promise. Winning two group stage matches and advancing to the final, they faced Nakhon Si Thammarat, maintaining a 0-0 score until the second half. Although they eventually took second place with a score of 0-3, their performance was commendable.

Our U15 girls had an enriching experience competing against teams from Malaysia, Nakhon Si Thammarat, and Samui. They won three out of four group stage matches and played a competitive final against a strong Nakhon Si Thammarat team, ultimately securing second place with a score of 2-0.

The U16 boys tournament featured eight teams, and we entered two teams into the competition. Both teams displayed excellent performance, and the blue team emerged as champions after a hard-fought final, while the white team secured fourth place.

In the U18 boys tournament, which saw teams from Phuket, Samui, Surat Thani, and Krabi, BISP Cruzeiro put on a dominant display, winning three out of three group stage matches. In the finals, they faced Surat PAO in a high-level match, ultimately securing the silver medal with a score of 0-2.

The U18 girls tournament featured teams from Samui, Nakhon Si Thammarat, and Phuket. After winning two of three group stage matches, they advanced to the final, where they initially led 1-0 before their opponents scored three goals in the final 15 minutes. Despite this, the team emerged as runners-up, having gained invaluable experience.

The Samui Youth Tournament showcased the exceptional talent and determination of BISP Cruzeiro footballers, providing a glimpse of the season’s potential. Despite the strong competition, our teams delivered outstanding performances, some securing silver medals and others emerging as champions. This tournament served as a valuable learning experience, equipping us for the upcoming season ahead.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the players, parents, coaches, and all who supported our teams throughout this exciting competition. The future of the BISP Cruzeiro Football academy looks promising, and we eagerly anticipate what the season has in store for us.

View Photos Provided by Maraleina Sports Resort