A group of Thai boys who were rescued from the cave a few days ago on July 10, appeared for the first time in public. The football team was a part of Wild Boar team and were kept under observation at Chang Rai hospital. After being pronounced as fit by the doctors from the hospital, the boys were discharges and today teenage football group made a public appearance today.

The boys aged from 11 -16 years exhibited their football skills to the press. The questions were framed beforehand to avoid distress to the boys. The video of their football skills went viral.

After the boys were rescued, Paul Pogba dedicated France’s victory against Belgium to the boys. He took to Twitter and wrote, “This victory goes to the heroes of the day, well-done boys, you are so strong 🙏🏾 #thaicaverescue #chiangrai.” Manchester United too invited the boys to watch the game live in action at the Old Trafford. The club took to social media and wrote, “MUFC is relieved to learn that the 12 footballers and their coach trapped in a cave in Thailand are now safe. 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.”

During the operations, FIFA President Gianni Infantino has sent a letter to the president of the Football Association of Thailand offering prayers and support to the families. "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," Infantino wrote.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 18, 2018 11:53 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).