ACS Hillingdon hosted this year's ISST Division 2 Boy’s Soccer championships. Eight teams took part and the event took place at our sports ground at Billet lane, Iver heath, Buckinghamshire.

Our community who responded well to the needs of the tournament found over 90 beds for visiting athletes.  All of the visiting teams were delighted not only with the pitches and organisation but especially the housing, which is integral to any ISST tournament. 

As tournament organiser, and the Girl's Soccer coach, I handed the running of the tournament to Dylan Evans and Eddie Schlechter.  Dylan and Eddie did a fine job ably assisted by Peter Suddaby and Bill Street.

The weather was very kind to us and the marquee provided a fantastic area where the students could meet and hang out. The Booster Club with Steve Dapogny provided the food in what was a very smoothly run operation.

A neutral observer evaluates the tournament and the report reflected the well-run championships. One of the coaches recorded that it was best tournament he had been to in 20 years.

 

On the field of dreams

On the field the Hawks played very well despite the excellent opposition of the teams involved.

Their first game was against the highly rated Geneva International School, which ended up 1-1 with a great goal from Ret Touchstone.

Next up was The American School in Tel Aviv where despite dominating the game the hawks won 1-0 thanks to a goal by Yuhei  Masuda.

On Friday morning the third game was against The Hague and we again won 1-0 thanks to a goal from Daiki Aoki.   We were now through to the semi final against the much-fancied Munich International School.  This game we lost 1-4 with Antonio Recio scoring.

We were therefore playing against ASL in the 3rd and 4th playoff. In a very close game we narrowly lost 0-1.

Overall the team played excellent soccer and the tournament was of a good standard.

Ret Touchstone and Ignacio Zunzenegui were awarded the coveted All tournament award.

Geneva went on to win the tournament beating Munich in the final.

Congratulations go to all of the team, coaches Bill Street and Eddie Schlachter and all who helped make this a great success for ACS Hillingdon.