'Everyone is safe' after daring rescue of 13 in Thai cave

MAE SAI, Thailand — "Everyone is safe." With those three words posted on Facebook the daring rescue mission to extricate 12 boys and their soccer coach from the treacherous confines of a flooded cave in Thailand was complete — a grueling 18-day ordeal that claimed the life of an experienced diver and riveted people worldwide.

Thailand's Navy SEALs, who were central to the rescue effort, celebrated the feat with a post Tuesday evening that read: "All the thirteen Wild Boars are now out of the cave," — a reference to the boys' soccer team. "We are not sure if this is a miracle, a science, or what."

Eight of the boys were rescued by a team of Thai and international divers on Sunday and Monday. On Tuesday, the final four boys and their coach were guided out of the cave. Their rescue was followed a few hours later by the safe return of a medic and three SEAL divers who had stayed for days with the boys in their cramped, dry refuge.


Cheers erupted from the dozens of volunteers and journalists awaiting news of whether the intricate and high-risk rescue mission had succeeded. Helicopters transporting the boys roared overhead. People on the street cheered and clapped when ambulances ferrying them on the last leg of their journey from the cave arrived at a hospital in Chiang Rai city in far northern Thailand near the Myanmar border.

Their joy and relief was echoed around the globe by the multitude of people who had followed the long ordeal.

Payap Maiming, who helped provide food and necessities to rescue workers and journalists, noted that fact.

"I'm happy for Thais all over the country," he said. "And actually just everyone in the world because every news channel has presented this story and this is what we have been waiting for."

"It's really a miracle," Payap said. "It's hope and faith that has brought us this success."

Amporn Sriwichai, an aunt of rescued coach Ekkapol Chantawong, was ecstatic. "If I see him, I just want to hug him and tell him that I missed him very much," she said.

The plight of the boys and their coach captivated much of the world — from the heart-sinking news that they were missing, to the first flickering video of the huddle of anxious yet smiling boys when they were found by a pair of British divers 10 days later. The group had entered the sprawling Tham Luang cave to go exploring after soccer practice on June 23, but monsoon rains soon filled the tight passageways, blocking their escape.

Each of the boys, ages 11 to 16 and with no diving experience, was guided out by a pair of divers in the three-day high-stakes operation. The route, in some places just a crawl space, had oxygen canisters positioned at regular intervals to refresh each team's air supply.

Highlighting the dangers, a former Thai Navy SEAL died Friday while replenishing the canisters.

Cave-diving experts had warned diving the youngsters out was potentially too risky. But Thai officials, acutely aware the monsoon rains could trap the boys for months, seized a window of opportunity provided by relatively mild weather. A massive effort to pump out water made the winding passageways more navigable. And the confidence of the diving team, and expertise specific to the cave, grew after its first successful mission Sunday.

"We did something nobody thought possible," Chiang Rai province acting Gov. Narongsak Osatanakorn, leader of the rescue effort, said at a celebratory news conference.

Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, speaking Tuesday before the final rescue was completed, said the boys were given an anti-anxiety medication to help with their perilous removal from the cave.

Asked at a news conference in Bangkok if the boys had been sedated, Prayuth said: "Who would chloroform them? If they're chloroformed, how could they come out? It's called anxiolytic, something to make them not excited, not stressed."

Prayuth said the Tham Luang cave would be closed for some time to make it safe for visitors.

The first eight boys brought out were doing well and were in good spirits at the hospital. They received a treat on Tuesday: bread with chocolate spread that they had requested.

Jedsada Chokdumrongsuk, permanent secretary at the Public Health Ministry, said the boys rescued Sunday were able to eat normal food by Tuesday, though they couldn't yet take the spicy dishes favored by many Thais.

Two of the boys possibly have a lung infection but all eight are generally "healthy and smiling," he said.

"The kids are footballers, so they have high immune systems," Jedsada told a news conference. "Everyone is in high spirits and is happy to get out. But we will have a psychiatrist evaluate them."

It could be at least a week before they can be released from the hospital, he said.

For now the boys were in isolation to try to keep them safe from infections by outsiders. But family members have seen at least some of the boys from behind a glass barrier.

It was clear doctors were taking a cautious approach. Jedsada said they were uncertain what type of infections the boys could face "because we have never experienced this kind of issue from a deep cave."

If medical tests show no dangers after another two days, parents will be able to enter the isolation area dressed in sterilized clothing, staying 2 meters (yards) away from the boys, said another public health official, Tosthep Bunthong.

John Tangkitcharoenthawon, a local village chairman, was bursting with happiness over the successful rescue.

"If this place had a roof, the morale has gone straight through it," he said.

President Donald Trump joined those paying tribute to the rescuers.

"On behalf of the United States, congratulations to the Thai Navy SEALs and all on the successful rescue of the 12 boys and their coach from the treacherous cave in Thailand," he tweeted. "Such a beautiful moment — all freed, great job!"

One of soccer's most popular teams, Manchester United, expressed its relief over the rescue and invited the boys and their coach, as well as those who saved them, to come see the team play on their home ground this season.

A message posted on the English Premier League club's Twitter account said: "Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected. We would love to welcome the team from Wild Boars Football Club and their rescuers to Old Trafford this coming season."

The international soccer federation, FIFA, had already invited the boys to attend the World Cup final in Russia this Sunday. However, doctors treating the boys said it was too soon for them to make the trip.

source: philstar.com

Daniel Radcliffe Parties With Dublin Minor Football Team

Now this is the way to celebrate a big win.

Shortly after winning the All-Ireland football championship Sunday, the Dublin Minors found themselves in the company of one pretty big star while they were partying the night away post-event.

So, how exactly did Daniel Radcliffe end up hanging out with the athletes until the wee hours of the morning at a house party?




The Harry Potter star, who is in Ireland filming The F Word, struck up a conversation with three of the teammates on Grafton Street at 3 a.m. on Monday, one player told the Belfast Telegraph.

"We thought he was a fan from England who had come over for the game," Dublin defender Conor Mulally said. "He was small enough and wearing a cap for a disguise, so we just didn't recognize him at first. Then it suddenly hit us who it was—Daniel Radcliffe was standing beside us. We kept talking for ages and he asked for the Irish experience."

"He was stone cold sober, being an absolute gent about it," Mulally said in a radio interview with FM104.



After their convo, Radcliffe and the players took off on foot to a house in Dundrum for some late night/early morning festivities. After a few passersby noticed Radcliffe—the athletes brushed it off by joking that their new mate just looked like the A-lister—the group decided to cab it the rest of the way.

"He realized he didn't have any money on him…and we had to pay for his taxi," Mulally continued. "We ran up to the door to tell [the other teammates] he was there and you should've seen the look on their faces."

Radcliffe, who said he had to be back on set at 8 a.m., stayed at the house for about "an hour and a half." And when it was time to call it a night? The players had pony up cab fare again, but it sounds like the actor will have a chance to pay his new friends back.



"He said he was really enjoying Dublin and would like to go out with us again. Then he asked for all of our numbers."

The footballer described Radcliffe as "a really nice lad" and jokingly agreed when the radio hosts called the actor the team's "celebrity lucky mascot."

Talk about a magical night!

source: eonline.com

Phil Younghusband hungry to do more for football

MANILA, Philippines - In spite of scoring a handful of goals at the recently concluded AFC Challenge Cup, Azkals striker Phil Younghusband would rather share the credit with his team mates than take it all for himself.

The six goals he collectively scored from the Azkals' matches against five other countries have merited Phil the Golden Boot award. He also ranked third in the International Football Federation of History and Statistics' World Top Scorer list for March, and joined the roster of Goal.com's Asian Best XI for March.

"Nagpapasalamat ako sa lahat ng team mates ko kasi kung wala sila then imposible to win the award," he told Bulletin Entertainment and other members of the press at the launch of Snickers' newest campaign on April 13.

The Azkals clinched third place at the Challenge Cup, held last month in Nepal, following the team's victories against Palestine, Tajikistan, and India. It is not surprising then that the Azkals climbed from 156 to 148 in the FIFA World Ranking.

"I think it's great because if Azkals have success then football in the Philippines has success. Hopefully it continues and hopefully we can sustain because we want it to be long-term," said Phil.

He is apparently extra inspired to play football because of his ladylove, actress Angel Locsin, has continued to express her happiness for him and that she is proud of him and his accomplishments.

"I think we've been very lucky and very blessed. She won an award (Best Actress at this year's PMPC Star Awards for Movies for 'In The Name Of Love'), I won an award, so I think we're good for each other. She offered her congratulations… She's been there all the way," the star player added.

Phil took a well-deserved break during the Holy Week, bonding with his brother-team mate James and their younger sister in La Union.

"Nag-surf ako… It was fun. It was my first time… And I was with my family, because I haven't spent much time with my family because we were in Nepal for three weeks. We went to La Union before for a trainers program, and we decided to go back because it was nice, we stayed at a nice resort," he enthused.

Although he didn't get to spend Holy Week with Angel as she was in Hong Kong, Phil assured that "we're in touch. We're always in touch."

His darling Angel

The Filipino-British footballer appreciates how Angel stood up for him amid the criticisms that the team got at the height of the sexual harassment issue involving two other members of the Azkals and match commissioner Cristy Ramos.

"Angel's amazing. She'll fight for everyone she loves and that's the sort of person she is. I feel very happy and very blessed and privileged that I have someone like Angel to defend not just me, she defended the team, she defended everyone involved. She's so supportive of me and the team. It's great to have her around," Phil said at length.

On a lighter note, Phil will work with Angel on the boob tube in his first mainstream acting assignment, a guest appearance on the latter's sitcom, "Toda Max."

"Mas kumportable ako sa loob ng field. It's more difficult to act. I admire the talent of actors. I admired Angel's before, but to see the things she goes through… I'm really proud of her," he related.

No amount of prodding will apparently make Phil define the true status of his relationship with Angel, as he maintained, "Right now, why change something when it's not broken? We're happy, everything's going well… Everyday I fall more and more in love with her."

Phil, along with James and Azkals captain Aly Borromeo, graced the launch of Snickers' latest campaign, "You're not you when you're hungry." The three are self-confessed fans of the brand.

"Sports is an excellent way to show that when you're hungry, you can't really perform at your best. As we know, football is a universal sport, it has become very popular especially in the Philippines with these guys," said Lizette de Guzman, national sales manager of Mars Philippines, Inc., the makers of Snickers.

source: mb.com.ph

Younghusbands positive about team's future; two Azkals players ready to face charges

MANILA, Philippines – Azkals players Phil and James Younghusband feel that, through sheer hard work, the country’s premiere football team faces a better future in the international sports scene.

According to Dyan Castillejo’s report on“TV Patrol,” March 21, “Pagod pero masaya ang Philippine team Azkals pagdating ng Maynila kagabi matapos ang 18 oras na biyahe mula Nepal.”

“Proud nilang ipinakita ang third place medal mula sa AFC Challenge Cup. May kaunting kainan ang team sa lounge habang hinihintay ang [mga] bagahe.”

She related that, “Masaya si Phil Younghusband sa nakuha niyang Golden Boot Award bilang player na may pinakamaraming goals sa tournament. Aminado si Phil na super inspired siya ngayon dahil sa suporta ni Angel Locsin.”

“Pumunta siya [Angel] sa first game namin laban sa North Korea. Sobrang supportive siya. ‘Good luck, galingan mo,’ things like [that, ang sabi niya],” Phil said in the interview.

“Proud si James sa kanyang kapatid. Naniniwala sila na kasabay ng patuloy na hard training, malayo pa ang mararating ng Philippine team sa football.”

“Some people say it’s a fluke, it’s a one-off set. The team’s really happy that we’ve done this and show that we can progress even more so we’re really happy,” James explained.

According to Dyan, “Dumiretso sa Europa sina Neil Etheridge, Rob Gier, Paul Mulders at Jason Dejong.”

As for the Manila-based players, they will continue their practice “sa kani-kanilang club teams sa UFL League.”

“Magsasama muli ang Azkals sa Mayo para paghandaan ang apat na friendly matches sa Hunyo at [ang] Suzuki Cup sa Nobyembre,” the report noted.

For Azkals’ Michael Weiss, the people’s view about football players has drastically changed.

“They have biggest respect for us now, and [before] that was not the case. And apart from the results, this is also something we can be proud of,” Michael shared.

Meanwhile, the two Azkals players that have been accused of sexual harassment by Match Commisioner Cristy Ramos are preparing for their testimonies.

“Ipapadala nila ito sa disciplinary committee ng Philippine Football Federation na humahawak ng reklamo,” Dyan reported.

Dan Palami, Azkals’ team manager, pled to the public not to pass judgment on the two involved players.

“Sana po huwag muna natin husgahan ‘yung mga team members po na medyo nasasangkot sa gulo,” he said.

The report said, “Ayon kay Lexton Moy, isa sa mga inireklamo, gusto niya talagang ihayag ang kanyang panig o kuwento sa kontrobersyal na pangyayari.”

“I can’t wait for the truth to come out, and when it does, I think the public will see a true, genuine side of what the team stands for,” Moy said.

source: mb.com.ph