Stranded boys get final invite from Infantino

Messages of support pour in for trapped team

>> Fifa president Gianni Infantino has expressed hope that members of the Thai boys’ football team trapped in a Chiang Rai cave will soon be reunited with their kin and also invited them to the World Cup final.

Infantino extended the invitation in a letter to Football Association of Thailand president Pol Gen Somyot Poompunmuang as messages of support poured in.

The Fifa chief said he hoped the Moo Pa (Wild Boar) team, who have been stranded by rising floodwaters inside Tham Luang cave for two weeks, would be rescued in time to watch the final in Moscow on July 15.

“If, as we all hope, they are reunited with their families in the coming days and their health allows them to travel, Fifa would be delighted to invite them to attend the 2018 World Cup final as our guests,” he wrote in a letter to Somyot.

“I sincerely hope that they will be able to join us at the final, which will undoubtedly be a wonderful moment of communion and celebration.”

The Thai footballers, aged 11-16, and their 25-year-old coach remained trapped in the cave despite being reached this week by cave-diving rescuers.

Their ordeal has come at a time when the World Cup is on in Russia and it has not escaped the attention of players.

“I’ve been speaking about it with a few of the boys,” said England defender John Stones, according to British media.

“It’s so sad to see where they are and we hope they get out safe and sound.”

Japan’s World Cup squad tweeted a video urging the team to “Hang in there!”, while Brazil legend Ronaldo called their plight “terrible”.

“The world of football hopes that someone can find a way to take these kids out of there,” he said, according to CNN.

Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp urged them to “stay strong and know we are with you”, in a video message sent to CNN.

Meanwhile, the Croatian Football Federation said on its website it was “awed by the bravery and strength that these young boys and their coach have shown amidst such frightening circumstances.”

Fifa president Gianni Infantino demonstrates his football skills as Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, looks on during their visit to the World Cup Football Park on Red Square in Moscow.