PARADISE ISLAND
The day after game 5, I flew to Koh Samui and caught the ferry across to Koh Tao to surprise my boy Danny, who'd been travelling for a a month or so. It was fantastic to meet up with him in Koh Tao of all places. This island is paradise! Palm trees, warm green seas and soft white sandy beaches; a great contrast to the urban sprawl of Lat Krabang I'd just left behind. Danny had been travelling with around 10 others. Word got around that I was after starting a game and a pitch was found...and an opposition. 6 Burmese lads who worked on the island showed up. Game on! England v Burma on a pitch that looked like Turf Moor in January 1972! The pace was frenetic considering the intense heat and humidity. The breakthrough took a while coming, but after a neat move England took the lead. They added a second before Burma replied as night began to fall. Although England made it 3-1 they were sporting enough to play next goal's the winner as the light was fading to nothing. Burma struck and the lights went out completely! Fantastic game played in a great spirit of sportsmanship and togetherness and for the total love of this amazing game! Brilliant! Cambodia here we come!!
