U15s Football Team Claims Championship in Hanoi

Last weekend, the U15 and U13 boys football teams from BPR and TKO travelled to Hanoi, Vietnam, to participate in the prestigious Asian Pacific AEFE-UNSS Football competition. The tournament, hosted by the Lycée Français Alexandre Yersin, brought together over 200 talented players from the region, all competing for the championship cup.

In their opening match, the U13 team faced their fierce rivals from Bangkok, but were narrowly defeated 2-1. Undeterred, they demonstrated great resilience and improvement in their next game, showcasing better passing plays and creating more scoring opportunities.

The U15 team, on the other hand, had a scintillating start, securing resounding victories of 5-0 and 3-0 against the Hanoi home team.

After a day of intense matches, the players took time to rest and prepare for the next day’s qualifiers. With an early wake-up call, a buffet breakfast, and a short bus ride, they were ready to compete again. The U13 team had a slow start in their match against Manila, conceding two early goals. However, they mounted an impressive comeback in the second half, equalising the scoreline and securing a place in the semi-finals against Bangkok.

The U15 team sailed through the group stage and faced Shanghai in the semi-finals. Shanghai’s defensive strategy made it challenging for Hong Kong to score, resulting in a penalty shootout. With a crowd of over 100 spectators, the pressure was on. In a display of exceptional goalkeeping, Caesar emerged as the hero, making crucial saves to lead Hong Kong to victory and secure a place in the cup final against Hanoi.

The U13 were also in an epic penalty shootout. This time the goalkeeper Basile was to make a save that sent the team through to the semi final. However, U13 team narrowly missed out on progressing further; they achieved an impressive fourth-place finish in their first-ever competition.

Next, the stage was set for an exhilarating cup final between U15s Hong Kong and Hanoi. The match was a thrilling spectacle, with end-to-end football that resembled a game of tennis. Hong Kong took the lead, only for Hanoi to respond with a stunning free-kick, levelling the score. Determined to avoid a penalty shootout, Hong Kong pressed forward and eventually scored the winning goal through Jacky’s expert header.

The victory marked Hong Kong’s first cup triumph since 2018 and triggered jubilant celebrations.

The U15 and U13 teams from Hong Kong showcased their talent, resilience, and sportsmanship in the Asian Pacific AEFE-UNSS Football competition in Hanoi. The U15 team’s dominant performances, culminating in a hard-fought victory in the cup final, sent a powerful statement about the quality of Hong Kong football. The U13 team’s commendable fourth-place finish showcased their potential and set a promising foundation for future competitions. Well done to all players, Mrs Boost and Coach Dani for a brilliant tour.