The Rookie who didn’t give up his dreams

The cold wind by the pond did nothing to cool down the hot confrontation between the two team. The new selection policy ‘if you have a bib put it on’ produced another remarkably balanced game where the smallest of detail could have made the biggest of difference. What really warmed up the players was the presence of the fans in their thousands who could not believe the beautiful game by their favourite artists was yet again being displayed before their eyes: FDs v Lockdown 3-2.

The match was graced by the presence of two high quality rookies (see pic), Alessandro and Jorge. The former is strengthening the Italian contingent and rejuvenating the tradition of outstanding goalkeepers like Cudicinj, Zoff and Buffon. The second is bringing Peru as a new Nation, the 56th!

Jorge’s story is quite moving and is a tale of never ever give up your dreams. His life was consumed by both the desire and fear of playing for Football Dads. Jorge would watch incognito every FDs game, with both admiration and worry not to be able to make the cut given the unreal level of every player, both technical, tactical, athletic and temperamental. But he would just not accept defeat: he videoed every minute of every game and watch 24/7 until it was replaced by a new one.

Today Jorge decided he had seen and learned enough: it took the courage in his own hand, threw his heart beyond the hurdle (literally translated from Italian) and took possession of the left Unbibbed flank which he mastered throughout the game with fine technique and distribution, reaching an immediate understanding with his ex-heroes, now team mates. A worthy new addition.

The Bibbed started the game with superior confidence and found an highway on the left side where the Moroccan trident, Yassin-Mohammed-Jamal, established a fast tempo the Unbibbed found hard to cope with . Jamal finalised the hard work with a fine opener only for Marco to retaliate in no time. The Bibbed soon found out it would have not been the walk in the park they anticipated.

Yassin, Mohamed and Thomas on one side and Marco, Francesco (2) and Adam on the other were able to leave a mark on the game by scoring precious goal but none of them turn out to be decisive. At one point Hannes floored Jamal and the Ref pointed straight to the penalty spot without bothering with the VAR. Giancarlo bravely took up the ball and placed it on the spot desperate to add his name on the scoring list. It is difficult to trace his last goal as at that time the Ptolemaic calendar had not yet been adopted. The search goes on as Alessandro with a fast dive denied both him and the rebound. As this is Giancarlo’s second consecutive mistake, will the Club ask him to just try and win penalties rather than taking them, leveraging on Italians’ diving skills?

The game was going from drama to drama and it took two golden goals for the Unbibbed to concede defeat, the latter scored by the ever present, ever uncatchable Yassin. The finale was fitting and paid a tribute to both teams as both set of fans clapped and cheered every player regardless. It was so poignant that the players, despite the cold, took off their shirts and threw them to the fans in the stands and did a run around the pitch. Only the garden police prevented them to finish the celebrations in the Serpentine.

There were many deserving the Man of the Match accolade: Riccardo, under Hanness’ watchful eye, produced an impeccable defence performance. Francesco finalised 100% of the chances. Julian and Philipp were a formidable central axis. The final close choice was though between the two top scorers, Marco and Yassin. Marco added two assists to his score list but Yasin with his hat trick including the golden goal took home both the ball and the MOTM award.

Interestingly, the Club data team is now updating also the top scorers list. Marco and Yassin with 4 each lead the race ahead of Francesco with 3. Catch them if you can!

BIBBED v UNBIBBED 6-5

GOALS

BIBBED: Yassin (3), Jamal, Mohammed, Thomas
UNBIBBED: Francesco (2), Marco(2), Adam.

TEAMS

BIBBED: Tony L, Andre’, Ben, Thomas, Diego, Yassin, Giancarlo, Mohammed, Jamal
UNBIBBED: Alessandro, Hannes, Riccardo, Jorge, Julian, Philipp, Adam, Marco, Francesco.