On Wednesday, November 11th the International School of The Hague travelled to Bonn International School to compete in the U18 ISST Division II Boys Football tournament. Many of the schools involved in this Championship had already played each other in pre-tournament friendlies. The ISH team had had a successful season going into the tournament having won 7, drawn 2 and lost 2. Naturally, expectations were high.

The British School of Paris, Bonn International School, ACS Hillingdon, AIS Vienna, Cairo American College, Vienna International School, AIS Israel, Sir James Henderson School- Milan, St. John’s International School and ISH all fielded teams. Under the regulations set out by the ISST committee, the ten participating schools were drawn into two leagues. The top two league teams would eventually play for 1st and 2nd positions, respectively, and would be promoted to Division I for the following season. Inevitably, the stakes were high.

In League One, ISH were drawn against ACS Hillingdon, AIS Vienna, VIS and Sir James Henderson- Milan. Game One saw ISH come up against ACS Hillingdon. From the outset it was clearly evident that ISH were the more dominant of the two teams. Skilful passing plays and neat interchanges saw ISH continually pressure the oppositions defence. Hillingdon seemed content to sit back and absorb the bombardment but the ISH boys were fervently resilient in their efforts. A long ball played from the back by Ritz Weijers to Meredith Sambu finally broke the deadlock. Meredith’s pace outclassed the defenders and he slotted the ball accurately past the keeper. Following this, shot after shot from ISH failed to find the net and the game finished at a humble 1-0. The final scoreline failed to reflect ISH’s dominance on this occasion.

Game Two saw ISH pitted against a very physically fit AIS Vienna team. The first half was extremely close with the ball being evenly exchanged between both teams. Yet again, the deadlock was broken by Meredith Sambu as his silky skills cunningly outwitted their defence. However, ISH’s advantage did not last for long as an attempted cross by AIS found its way into the back of the ISH goal. The second half proved to be very frustrating and ISH progressively lost their composure and lacked discipline. A succession of free kicks was slotted home by AIS and they won the game 3-1. The set piece was proving to be ISH’s nemesis; as was their indiscipline.

Game Three was a ‘must win’ crunch match against Milan. Once again, ISH took the lead through another Meredith Sambu composed finish. However, Milan managed to claw their way back through two more set piece plays and lead at the half 2-1. After a rallying half time discussion by the coaches, ISH entered the second phase ever more determined. In what can only be described as one of the most impressive passing displays by a team of young boys ever witnessed, ISH, overwhelmingly, dominated every aspect of the game. However, the goal appeared to magically repel every shot ISH fired at it and the ball would just not go into the back of the net. Frustratingly, the game finished 2-1 to Milan and the ISH boys were not only mystified but thoroughly despondent at what had occurred. Football can often be a ‘funny old game.’

With promotion to Division I a fading memory, ISH entered their last group stage game against VIS determined to score more goals. Thankfully, this was the case. ISH dominated a stolid VIS team from the outset and scored a plethora. The lucky goal scorers in this game were Bastiaan van der Zeeuw, Ritz Weijers, Alistair Tarry and Sebastian Jedicke. Sebastian’s goal deserves special mention as it was a result of some great attacking play concluded by a clinical cross from Tonko van Leeuwen. The final score was 4-1 to ISH.

This result left ISH with a 5th – 6th playoff spot against BSP. A decidedly young BSP team were no match for ISH and yet again the boys dominated every facet of play. Shot after shot parried the goal as ISH overwhelmed BSP. BSP finally capitulated after a solidly hit low driven shot from Alistair Tarry found its way into the back of the net. Final result was 1-0 but it definitely could have been many, many more.

ISH finished the tournament in 5th place overall with two boys selected for the All Star Tournament team; Jaime Poeteray and Ritz Weijers. A commendable performance over the few days of play, however, initial expectations had been so confidently high pre-tournament. The ISH team certainly learned a few valuable lessons over the course of the event and it is hoped that they will work even more resolutely next season in order to overcome these difficulties. The coaches also know where improvements need to be made and will endeavour to rectify this through hard work and diligence.

It’s onwards and upwards.....! The team is experiencing the pain of loss at the moment, but, as I keep telling them; Pain is simply weakness leaving the body...........................

Simon Herbert – Head Coach & Athletic Director