Never before has a Stormtrooper team performed so well and so consistently on and off the field throughout a tournament. We fully deserved to win, we were the best team and outplayed Arsenal in an enthralling final, but in the end it didn’t matter. Despite a devastating loss, the kids picked themselves up and gave their Chinese style ‘thank you bows’ to the opposition, the coaches and the referees in a show of incredible character. Project STORM personified. In the years to come, we will all surely look back at this event as a defining moment in the development of our young players.

But first we have the story to tell of how we arrived there, and of a one armed Coach who really shouldn’t have been there at all.... (don’t tell the Doctors !!!)

Game One vs Hanoi Geckos

With the opposition fielding several ex-Beijing friends the Stormtroopers were out of the blocks fast with no sign of the traditional early morning slow starts. The pressure finally told when Luc pounced to turn home Jordan’s corner. Nathan made it 2-0 from the edge of the box from Tommy’s cross before rifling home a spectacular strike from distance to build a comfortable 3-0 lead. With Brendan and Jacob solid at the back there was no way through for the Geckos whilst Tommy was twice unlucky with shots. Great Start.

Stormtroopers 3 Hanoi Geckos 0

Game Two vs Trung Van

The local Vietnam school side in the AC Milan strip were no match for a rampant Stormtrooper team now well and truly into their stride. After Tommy twice saw headers go over Luc sniped from close range to open the scoring. Tommy made it 2-0 from wide and then exchanged a fine 1-2 with Luc who scored for 3-0. Tommy with a sublime flick made it 4-0 before Haydn wrapped things up striking after the home keeper dropped a cross. With another imperious performance from Bryce, Alex, Brendan and Jacob shoring up the backline this was close to perfect.

Stormtroopers 5 Trung Van 0

Game Three vs DTD

A small step up in class from the opposition, but no change in pace from a relentless Stormtrooper outfit. Haydn had the first effort wide, then the ever improving Bryce’s header just evaded the target. Bryce didn’t have to wait long though as his turn and shot found the back of the net. Tommy sealed the game with another neat finish to cap a fine personal display. Three played, three won, every player on the field for every game. It was time for lunch with the Stormtroopers proudly sitting on top of the group. Terrific mornings entertainment....

Stormtroopers 2 DTD 0

Game Four vs ISA Singapore

All change for the afternoon session as the Stormtroopers suddenly found themselves up against top class opposition in the shape of the International Soccer Academy from Singapore – deadly rivals of JSSL Arsenal. It was to be a fast paced, bruising encounter but once again our super stars raised their game to new heights with a series of flowing passing moves and tough, uncompromsing defence lead by Linus, who was getting stronger with every game. Bryce, Nathan, Alex and Luc all went close. We should have won comfortably but somehow the ball stayed out. When called on the deliver, Sam was alert and safe between the sticks. A great test – and we emerged unscathed...

Stormtroopers 0 ISA Singapore 0

Game Five vs SIS Utd

Unbeknown to us at the time but SIS, playing in bright orange, were the top local Vietnamese team and they played as such. For the first time we started slowly and our opponents sniffed a chance of an upset. This was to be a tough physical encounter, a game that Bryce was to relish with a towering display of strength down the left hand side which included one terrific barnstorming run ended by his powerful shot thundering back off the post. As in the previous game, we played hard and fast, with strong performances the order of the day. Everyone stood up with Nathan dominating midfield. Despite Luc and Haydn going close there was no way through and Isaac had to be at his best to keep the scores level. Once again the game ended scoreless – hardly a reflection of the dominance of the visitors...

Stormtroopers 0 SIS Utd 0

Game Six v Alsfay

Final game of the day and a must win game against local French outfit, Aslfay. Tommy settled the nerves with an early goal from Nathan’s cross. From then onwards it was one way traffic as the Stormtroopers laid siege to the Aslfay goal. There were countless chances. The best of them fell to Linus and Nathan. Tommy even had one chalked off for handball but the game will be remembered for the two blinding saves made my Isaac when opposition strikers were one-on-one with him. With qualification from the group so tight, despite not conceding a goal all day, just one goal then would have meant that we would have failed to reach the semi’s. On such fine margins is sport played...

Stormtroopers 1 Aslfay 0

Day Two

Semi-Final v Gold Star Hanoi

Opposition for the semi final came in the shape of Gold Star Hanoi, a big team, well placed in their local league. Even Arsenal had struggled to beat them the previous day. We had to hit hard, early, and that is precisely, in the shape of Haydn, what we did. Two minutes on the clock and Haydn pounced to strike home from close range. Never has he ben so excited to score. 5 minutes later it was 2-0 when Tommy supplied a cool finish and the team could start to relax. Jordan was having his finest game of the tournament playing with flair from central defence and setting up multiple chances, well supported by all around. The game was sealed when a very long rage effort from Bryce lobbed over the keeper and into the back of the net to seal a fine win and a much anticipated date with Arsenal.

Stormtroopers 3 Gold Star Hanoi 0

Final v JSSL Arsenal

This was to be one of the great finals, full of effort and endeavor but with no shortage of skill and dexterity. With the determination written all over the ‘painted faces’ of the Stormtroopers (especially Alexander who looks positively scary at times..) we knew there was going to be a real match here. For the first 10 minutes it was one way traffic. Arsenal did not know what was hitting them as the Stormtroopers sent in wave after wave of attack. Luc, Nathan and Tommy were simply ripping them apart but despite several near misses, notably Luc’s, a goal proved elusive and that was ultimately to prove costly. Even after Arsenal came into the game, Linus and Bryce played like ‘colossi‘ at the back with a true show of ‘Thou Shalt Not Pass’. But as mentioned before, the dividing in sport is thin. One chance we gave up and that was all it took for Arsenal to take the game. No one to blame, just a piece of outstanding skill and expert finishing. As the whistle blew, the team sank to their knees. They had given everything - but this time there was a difference and they held it together, readily shaking hands with their more than worthy opponents.

Stormtroopers 0 JSSL Arsenal 1

Team: Isaac, Brendan, Alex, Jordan, Jacob, Bryce, Linus, Nathan, Haydn, Tommy, Sam & Luc

Verdict:

We played 8 games and conceded but 1 goal. A magnificent record, which on any other day would have been surely been better than silver. But there were winners everywhere throughout the team. Linus and Bryce were outstanding game after game. Tommy, Nathan and Luc showed the skills we are becoming accustomed to seeing on the big stage. Brendan, Sam, Jacob and Haydn never put a foot wrong. Jordan had some of his best games and seems to have found a new role for himself at the back. Alex showed incredible determination whilst Isaac pulled off the spectacular just when it was needed. All of them kept their heads despite testing conditions. This was the day when the team reached new heights – and the coaches smiled as finally, finally after 3 years of hard slog, it all came together, physically and emotionally.....

Great tournament, great result, great kids.