“They did a fantastic job!” – DSND football team plays competitive game away from home

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Dressed in grey and black, the team arrived at the British High Commission sports ground to face their opponents, in a friendly match. Motivated, confident and determined to win, the DSND footballers were ready to take on the challenge.

For many DSND footballers, 19 September was a memorable day as they played their first match away from their usual school sports ground. Throughout the games, the team stayed focused and showed resilience, even when their opponents took the lead.

“We won one match out of three. For most of the boys, it was their first-ever competitive match. Despite that, they gave it everything, fought for every ball and showed great team spirit. I’m very proud of them. They did a fantastic job!” says Ralf Tscherpel, team coach.

According to Tscherpel, the boys played just as well as their opponents. The key difference was that the other team was, on average, two years older. “That’s a big difference at this age,” he says, and something he will take into consideration for future matches.

Proud parents were cheering throughout the games and were impressed by the qualities their footballers displayed on the pitch.

“The football match was a wonderful opportunity for students to experience healthy competition and teamwork. Such exposure helps them build confidence, sportsmanship and friendships while learning to respect different schools and cultures,” says Chandni Chopra, one of the parents who attended the match.

The skills the boys have developed through their weekly Intensive Soccer, one of the afternoon activities at DSND, together with their personal experience and enthusiasm for the game, could be seen on the pitch. Their passionate coach kept them driven and focused throughout the games.