‘Wild Boars’ Play Friendly Match in Argentina

Kapol Jantawong, coach and captain of Thai team Wild Boars, left, fights for the ball Sunday during a friendly soccer match against River Plate Youth Team at Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Photo: Eitan Abramovich / Associated Press
Kapol Jantawong, coach and captain of Thai team Wild Boars, left, fights for the ball Sunday during a friendly soccer match against River Plate Youth Team at Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Photo: Eitan Abramovich / Associated Press

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — The 12 boys and football coach who were found in a partially flooded cave in Chiang Rai once again found themselves capturing the media’s attention on Sunday.

The team played a friendly match against the prestigious River Plate youth football team of Argentina – which was somewhat of a dream come true for the young Thais who want to become professional football players.

A day prior, the Wild Boars football team participated in the opening ceremony of the Youth Olympic Games, which are taking place from Oct. 6 to 18 in the South American country.

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Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee, called the boys “brave” and said they “showed us all the importance of sports values.” They were loudly applauded by thousands of people attending the event.

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The boys and their coach became well-known after they got trapped in a cave on June 23. They were found by two British divers and brought out in a daring rescue mission that ended on July 10.

Nearly 4,000 athletes between the ages of 15 and 18 will participate in the youth games.