Perfect match

Young players see soccer stars

By Suwitcha Chaiyong
Photos courtesy of Chevrolet Thailand

Seeing a football match between popular English teams in the UK would be a dream come true for any young Thai football player. Five young players were able to fulfill that dream recently when Chevrolet Thailand arranged the Play for Dreams Chevrolet project, which rewarded top young Thai players with a trip to the UK to see Manchester United play Liverpool.

Two of the five footballers selected — 10-year-old Nattakit Srisombat (Trakor) and 13-year-old Pobtham Wandee (Phupan) — said that although they weren’t big fans of Manchester United or Liverpool, they were very excited to see the match.

“I cheered for Manchester United during the game, even though I’m not really one of their fans,” Phupan said. “The team was great and very professional. We saw them practise before the match and they were really well prepared.”

FABULOUS FOOTBALLER

Trakor said that he felt as if he’d hit the jackpot when he was given the chance to walk out on the field with his favourite player, Manchester United’s attacking midfielder and winger Wayne Rooney.

“Rooney is the football player I’ve liked most since I was younger,” Trakor said. “He can pass the ball to other players accurately and score goals. He’s an inspiring player.”

Trakor was thrilled just to meet his favourite footballer.

“I felt numb for a moment,” he said. “Rooney pointed to my shoes and said they were cool.”

GREAT GAME

During their five-day trip in the UK, the young Thai players visited Manchester United’s Old Trafford football stadium both to see a game and when the stadium was empty. They got to see the players’ locker room, also had a chance to visit Liverpool’s Anfield stadium.

For Phupan and Trakor, the most exciting part of the trip was seeing the match between Manchester United and Liverpool.

“I liked the atmosphere of the Old Trafford stadium,” Phupan said. “It was nice and quiet when there was no match on, but during the game, I could feel that it was a big match because the crowd was huge and their cheering was incredibly loud.”

Trakor also found the game to be great fun.

“Manchester United won 3-0, and their attacking was excellent,” Trakor said. “They never stop attacking, even after they scored.”

Trakor added that he came to like Manchester United more after seeing them play.

SEEING THE SIGHTS

Aside from the exciting football match, Phupan and Trakor were happy to see the players’ locker room at Old Trafford stadium, as well as have a look around London.

“I enjoyed taking pictures with the players’ football shirts,” Phupan said. “In London, I enjoyed the London Eye Ferris wheel the most because I could see a great view of the city from there. The people in London were also very nice and polite.”

WORLD-CLASS PLAYERS

During their trip, Phupan and Trakor learned how professional football players behave.

“The trip taught us that world-class football players have to have great discipline,” Phupan said. “They were very professional and took their training seriously. I was really impressed!”

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