Congratulations go to the team from the Father Ray Children’s Home who lifted the winner’s trophy at the 2012 Shai Davis Soccer Tournament which was played at Planet Football on Soi Siam Country Road.
Now in its fifth year, this annual soccer competition saw regular teams from the Pattaya Orphanage, Father Ray Children’s Home and Sarnelli House – Nong Khai welcome the Banglamung Boys Home who were invited to play in the competition for the first time.
The Father Ray Children’s Home team celebrate their win.
The competition started with ten players from each team taking penalty shots against Shai Davis, earning themselves fifty baht if they kicked the ball into the net.
First game of the day was between the team from Nong Khai and the Pattaya Orphanage, with the local boys winning by several goals.
In the second game the new team from the Banglamung Boys Home lost on penalties to the Father Ray Children’s Home, who secured a place in the final against the Orphanage team.
Play was halted when thunder, lightning and a heavy downpour caused a blackout and everyone ran for cover.
Penalties were used to decide who would be the third and fourth winner, and in the end it was the team who travelled from Nong Khai who came in third place leaving the newcomers from the Banglamung Boys Home in last place.
Any game between the Pattaya Orphanage and the Father Ray Children’s Home is taken very seriously. While the players may be friends off the pitch, when the whistle blows to start a game there is fierce rivalry.
But it was down to the last penalty kick which decided the winner, and there were scenes reminiscent of a World Cup final when the trophy was presented to the captain of the Father Ray Children’s Home.
Pattaya hosts many soccer competitions throughout the year, but the Shai Davis Tournament is one of the most popular. It brings together teams from different charitable organisations, each player receives a specially designed soccer kit and the prestige of taking home a trophy, no matter if they come first or fourth.
Five years of trying the team from Nong Khai are still yet to reach the final but can smile anyway.
Trophies were awarded to the best player in each team.
This year’s runners up, the Pattaya Orphanage.
The Banglamung Boys Home team came in fourth place.
