AN enthusiastic group from Arsenal Soccer School Bahrain has travelled to the UK to participate in the 22nd London International Soccer Festival, scheduled to take place until Sunday next week.

The festival sees the participation of teams from a number of countries including the UK, Bahrain, South Africa, the US, Kuwait and Canada.

The festival is being hosted at the Royal Holloway College in Surrey, southeast of England.

Arsenal Bahrain is participating in the under-11, under-13, under-16 and girls’ categories.

Matches will be played in a league system where the first and second of each age-category will qualify to the Cup final, while the third and fourth-placers will play the final of the Plate.

The under-11 boys’ team played a preparation match against Sandgate, a top London Club that ended in a 0-0 draw while the under-13 team played a preparation match against Burnham Juniors, which resulted in a 6-4 score.

The under-16 squad also played Club Sandgate and held them until the last few minutes before going down 0-4.

Meanwhile, the ladies’ team played Crystal Palace and won 4-2 followed by a second match against Oakwood Foxes’ under-16s, which they lost 2-4.

Following these first games the boys went to Craven Cottage, Home of Fulham Football Club, to watch their pre-season friendly with Parma FC from Italy.

All teams then headed to an Emirates Stadium Tour, after which the boys spent their afternoon in London whilst the girls attended the Arsenal against Everton ladies’ match.