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.

Tim Harbison bags a brace

Happy Birthday Meredith!

Meredith turned 18 today! She woke up to a room with hundreds of balloons, got some nice chocolates, got to visit one of her favorite places in Vientiane, the Scandinavian bakery, and got a nice cake to share with the team. Her brother was nice enough to also score 2 goals in her honor! The only thing missing was her mom, dad and Maegan.

Downtown Vientiane

Team meetings

Morning and evening we have a team meeting.  A player leads in a time of reflection based on a word from scripture.  Then we talk through things and get focused for what is next.

Wednesday morning

At this level we must employ every tool we have at hand to succeed.  The coach has invested in the latest technology (well, almost) in the form of "Winning 11" PSP "Pro Evolution Soccer Tournament" as a means of focusing the players.  Here the tournament is still in the group stages.  Ireland looks to have as bad of luck in cyber-play as they do in real life.  If it isn't Henry handling the ball, its the computer shooting for Jared while he is trying to ask how to take penalties on the thing.  Oh the injustice!

Scouting the opposition:

Scouting report: 

We might be able to take these guys. I asked a couple local people to make sure it was the right team, and they smiled really big, which I'm pretty sure means "Yes, this is the team you were asking about". 

They're really quick, and a bit disarming with their smiles and all, but all in all I think we have a shot!