The Dusit Thani Hua Hin Football Academy (DTHHFA) compete in the Western Thailand Football Academy League (WTFAL) at Under 8, Under 9, Under 11, Under 13 and Under 15 levels against academies from the likes of Ratchaburi, Bangkok, Mahachai, Nonthaburi and Nakhon Pathom.
They recently enjoyed their first taste of International competition. The Gunners’ Cup, played over 2 days on the 8 grass and artificial pitches of the Arsenal Soccer School Stadium in Bangkok also brought together teams from Korea and Japan to pit their skills against Thai teams from as far south as Yala, as well as a number of expatriate teams. Altogether, 10 matches, seven in the league and three in the cups were played at each of the Under 8, Under 10, Under 12 and Under 15 ages levels. The DTHHFA teams departed Hua Hin more in hope than expectation on Friday evening, staying for two nights at the luxurious Dusit Princess Srinakarin Bangkok.
They eventually returned tired but triumphant proudly boasting of success in two cup competitions, at Under 10 and Under 12 levels, whilst the Under 15s performed admirably in the blue-riband cup, finishing runners-up after defeating the mighty Arsenal on penalties at the quarter-final stage. Though it wouldn’t be entirely fair to say that DTHHFA were ‘concentrating on the cups’, the teams’ performances surpassed the league results. The Under 15s only suffered one defeat in five matches on the first day while the Under 12s went unbeaten in five matches on the second day, giving both the players and coaches confidence that they can compete on the international stages regularly in the future.
Special thanks should be given to Dusit hotels, together with the dedicated and generous team of coaches and parents whose hard work and support meant each of the players were only required to pay Baht500 for the entire trip, including return transport, breakfast, dinner and accommodation for two nights at one of Dusit International’s renowned properties. If your family members would like to pit your footballing skills at a competitive level, Dusit Thani Hua Hin Football Academy train on the hotel’s football pitches from 5.00P.M. every Friday and on Saturdays and Sundays (except match days) from 3.00P.M. Come along before the start, sign up and start training immediately.
