Shortly after the World Cup finalists returned from Russia and shortly after the young Thai football team was rescued, HNS decided to send Croatia ’s jerseys to the young footballers.
The Croatian Football Federation (HNS) will donate 12 jerseys of the new World Cup finalists to the Thai boys who were trapped in a cave for 15 days and finally rescued, HNS announced on their official website on July 18, 2018.
“Upon the return of the Croatian national football team from Russia, the Croatian Football Federation and President Davor Šuker made the decision to send 12 jerseys of the new World Cup finalists to the young football players from Thailand who were trapped in a cave at the end of June due to the monsoon rains.”
?? Croatian Football Federation sends 12 national team jerseys to young footballers in @FAThailand who were saved in the recent cave rescue operation. ??#BeProud #Croatia #Family pic.twitter.com/Xc6PadgyvF
— HNS | CFF (@HNS_CFF) July 18, 2018
On Wednesday, the young Thai footballers had contact with the public for the first time after being rescued.
“The Croatian Football Federation is delighted that the young footballers are recovering well and is gifting them jerseys in light of the difficult situation they have experienced as a continuation of the support provided as soon as the accident occurred,” concluded HNS.
After spending more than two weeks trapped in the Thai Tham Luang caves, coach Eakkapol Chantawong and his 12 players were saved by a special diving unit, therefore, the boys managed to watch the final of the World Cup between Croatia and France. There were even some Croatia supporters in the group, reports Goal.hr on July 19, 2018.
“We watched the finals on the TV in the hospital – two boys supported Croatia, and the rest supported France. The doctors allowed us to be loud, so we were as loud as we could be,” said the trainer.
“The nurses watched the game with us, and they were divided on who they wanted to win, too,” he concluded.
