On Saturday the 22nd of September, the Dayton community wanted to bring people from a different background together in a friendly environment to play soccer. Dayton World Soccer Games promotes a stronger Dayton by bringing together people from the region’s many immigrant communities in the spirit of competition and cooperation. Let’s learn about one another and have fun!
The Dutch Lions we’re part of the organization by supporting the volunteers and to provide the organization with balls, pennies and setting up a merchandise booth.With helping out in the organization we we’re able to bring in 3 teams with Dutch Lions players playing under the Dutch flag representing the Netherlands.
Most of the players had to bring their game face to play 4 or 5 games. With the support of the parents, friends and their coaches Koen, Wichert and David all the players got the well-deserved congratulations from other teams and their coaches and parents for playing good soccer. The U12 boys from coach Koen played a double tournament, not only playing in the U12 group but they also played as U14 boys with Alex, Noah and Spencer from the U14 Dutch Lions team. They we’re beaten only by physical looks, but they we’re the better team showing their technical skills, passing and team combining. Giving all the spectators an excellent view of the way the Dutch Lions are trained and coached by the coaches in their youth academy.
The Dutch Lions we’re proud of all the players, it was a good way to show the vision of the club and what they stand for. Not only the U12/U14 boys showed their excellent skills , the U18 boys and girls who practice with coach Wichert showed their skills and sportsmanship providing the spectators with beautiful goals and excellent passing.
At the end of the day the U12 boys won the World Cup in their own bracket, by winning all 3 games scoring 22 goals and allowing only 2. As a U14 team they ended up in second place, with is also a compliment. The U18 boys/girls team became second as well.
Thanks for all the support, and thanks Dayton community to allow us to help you with this tournament. This will continue next year, only to become a bigger event. A special thanks goes out to Debbie Cosenza and Kelly George to help us with the merchandise booth.
Dave Smits