Unbearable heat in Hua Hin: second place decided on penalties
Four teams, 35 degrees on the pitch, six group games unbeaten - and a final that came down to the last kick.
Hua Hin Academy invited us to an all-girls tournament with four teams: Hua Hin Football Academy, Ascot Football Academy, Hua Hin International School and Lions FC. When we arrived at True Arena at 9am it was already 35 degrees on the pitch, and the parents spent the day running around with ice-cold water spray.
We came through the group unbeaten: a 2-0 win over HHA, 2-1 against Ascot, then draws and a 4-0 win over HHIS to reach the final. Goals came from across the squad, which is exactly how the coaches want it.
The final against Ascot was decided by a moment: a free kick from around 16 metres, fired around the wall into the right corner. Ascot equalised from a well-executed counter-attack, and after normal time it went to penalties. Our goalkeeper saved the first one. Then the woodwork took two of ours, and the last shot was saved.
Ascot took the first Hua Hin girls trophy. Our girls congratulated a worthy winner with a high five for every opponent, and the day finished with a team lunch on the beach. Second place, and nothing to be ashamed of.
