Saints vs. top u16 and u18 team in Laos

The first 45" was against the u16s, the second 45" was against the u18s.  Both were quality.  The first half ended 1-0 to them.  Early in the second half they scored again, and then Tim scored twice to bring us to 2-2.  We would like to blame what happened next on...

• all the travel
• the heat
• the intimidation of playing in a national stadium
• the intimidation of playing against national team players
• having to play 1 team the first half another the second...

BUT, the reality is we did not show enough grit.  They went on a rampage of 5 unanswered goals.  It has taught the guys a whole new level of sympathy for recent English team defeats, like Barcelona Arsenal, or Chelsea 7 Aston Villa 1.  What is done is done, now we need to regroup.
The challenge for Thursday's game is to 'man up' a bit and play with more desire.  This is why we are here, to learn about ourselves and to respond by growing.  Let's hope we seize that opportunity.