Thirteen Kauai soccer players on the Scandia United Soccer Academy returned home Sunday following a European tour which took nearly a month to complete. The mission of SUSA is to provide an educational environment where youths learn about different nations
Thirteen Kauai soccer players on the Scandia United Soccer Academy returned home Sunday following a European tour which took nearly a month to complete.
The mission of SUSA is to provide an educational environment where youths learn about different nations through soccer, said SUSA Director Kevin Devitt. The tour took the youth, including the 13 Kauai players, to Iceland, Germany, Denmark, and Sweden where they learned about different languages, geography, food and culture with their teammates after living, training, and playing with their new friends during the journey.
“We strive to provide a once-in-a-lifetime experience for these youth which will be remembered well into their adult years,” said Devitt, who is also the president of Kauai Soccer Association. “The cultural exchange is an integral part of the program, but just as significant is the fact that these athletes get to compete against the best teams from all over the world. These youth are extremely talents, and like many others, it is hoped they will be offered college scholarships and opportunities to play professionally.”
During the Dana Cup in Denmark, SUSA entered four teams, a Girls 13, Girls 14, Girls 16 and Boys 14, and walked away with the Gold Cup and gold medals in the Girls 13 and 14 while the Boys 14 and Girls 16 teams earned the Silver Cup and corresponding medals.
Deshayne Iseri, a returning player and winner of two gold medals at the Dana Cup, played for both the Girls 13 and 14 teams. She said a lot of credit go to the coaches.
“In addition to teaching us soccer techniques, the coaches teach us the value of connecting with our Scandinavian friends, and the importance of bringing our countries closer together,” Iseri said. “This makes us great soccer players, but better yet, it makes us great Americans.”
Kauai players making up the SUSA team include Iseri, Kiran Costa, Justin “Scrappy” Garma, Bailey Hanna, Sam Johnson, Lyndsie Kashima, Joshua Layaoen, Clifton Oliver, Kalia Shimabukuro, Kiani Souza, Kawehi Taniguchi, Chase Tokita and Kahela Ventura.
Entering Gothenburg, Sweden, SUSA competed in the Gothia Cup, the largest international youth soccer tournament which brings together nearly 1,700 teams representing more than 70 countries from around the world.
SUSA entered four teams, G13, G14, B16 and G17.
During the G13 games, the SUSA G13 came in first in their group and advanced to the playoffs of the top eight teams in the A Finals before being eliminated by Sollentuna FK, Sweden, 0-2.
The SUSA B16 finished third in their group, being placed in the B Finals of the top 32 teams before losing to Concordia, Germany, 1-2.
The SUSA G17 finished third in their group. The team played in the B Finals, winning against Osmo, Sweden, 2-0 and advancing to the top eight team playoffs before falling to Encinitas Express, USA 0-2.
The SUSA G14 entered the field of 94 teams from eight countries in this division, having the toughest group. Two of the teams they lost against made it to the semifinals of the A Bracket.
The SUSA G14 played in the B-Finals, tying Ekeby, Sweden, 0-0 before prevailing following 10 goal kicks to win, 6-5.
They defeated Breidablik, Iceland, 4-0, Karlskrona, Sweden, 1-0, and Jitex, Sweden, 4-1 to earn a spot against Jarla, Sweden in the B Finals Championship. The game ended 1-1, but Jarla won on penalty kicks.
“We are extremely proud of our accomplishments this year with our Kauai players and Scandinavian friends,” said co-directors Brad Jordan and Wayne Smith. “This just goes to show that an island as small as Kauai can shine with others in the world.”
