An academic player
FDs one-touch football has never been for the faint-hearted or the slow movers.Yet there was a time when you had the luxury of a split second to stop the ball, raise your head and make an informed pass. Not anymore: with the advent of new super fast players and the growing up of the Kids at the speed of light your chances, as a Dad, of being dispossessed in no time have increased many folds. If players like Yassim and Johannes are within a 5 meters radius the chances of the ball reaching you are minimal while in a 10 meters one you might well get the ball but the chances of keeping it are the same as finding snow in the desert.
Still FDs are like chameleons: they adapt fast to changing circumstances, react accordingly and come out winners. Today’s game with as many as 24 players was there to prove this evolutionary theory : seasoned household Dads’ name like Hossam, Hannes, Giancarlo and Francesco fought at par with the youngsters to come back from behind and emerge winners with a vintage performance that bodes well for future Master Games and the longevity of our unique franchise.
It didn’t start well for them as the Unbibbed upped the tempo right from the start with the ball travelling fast and with purpose. Luckily the Bibbed goal was guarded by Tony L who would fist away any ball within reach. Apparently Tony’s agent has been contacted for Tony to impersonate a sporty version of Superman who is meant to be a box office hit, especially in Asian markets. But even him could do nothing when rookie Matthew. strengthening the Brits contingent, shot an insidious low ball through many legs to end its run in the right bottom corner. The Unbibbed were dominant on the left flank where rookie Kurran and Marco were a constant threat feeding regularly both midfield and attack. Still, you just needed to know each Bibbed player to be sure that they would have not gone down without a fight: on one attack on the right Francesco and Mohammad combined with a fast one-two who put the Moroccan in front of goal for a fine conversion, levelling the score.
At half the teams swapped side as the UnBibbed goal was not in good shape thus reducing the shooting space and penalising opponents. In fact, at one point the goal fell to the ground just when the Unbibbed where in the middle of a fast and furious attack. As they say, luck favours the braves. The break didn’t alter the positive momentum for the Bibbed who went ahead with Khaled Alk: the Bibbed advantage was nevertheless shortlived as Julien equalised with a timely touch in a crowded Bibbed box. The French has proved to be quite prolific in the latest games scoring a few as well providing his usual shield for the defence.
At 2-2 it was game on again. Sara and Andrea for the Bibbed were in fine form and made sure their left flank was their own runaway carrying balls from their defence into fast counterattacks in one of which Yassim brought the Bibbed in front again with a thunderous short. Not satisfied the Bibbed went for the kill and came agonisingly close twice with headers by Francesco, one of which shaved the post in a sublime combination with Yassim. By that time 90’ had gone but it was only fair to give the Unbibbed the chance to restore their pride with the golden goal but it was not to be.
Giancarlo volleyed a ball from 80 meters, perhaps 90, right under the bar: Thomas paired it with a fist but could do nothing to prevent Khaled to head in the rebound sealing a perfect victory for the indomitable Bibbed.
Fans were in split minds when voting for the Man of the Match. Khaled Alk and Yassim were heavily voted as being again match winners. Hossam and Hannes were insormontabile walls and Tony L a superb guardian. On the Unbibbed side Julien and Johannes were as forceful and mobile as ever. Rookie Matthew proved to be worth every penny the Club spent to sign him in.
But the highest number of votes went in fact to the Lady of the Match: Sara. She did not put a foot wrong and was never afraid to take on and get past intimidating players like Julian and Johannes. Her short and long range deliveries were impeccable supported by a tactical awareness not found in players of her age.
Simply put: a fine product of the Kids Academy.
In the photo the two new Rookies, Matthew and Kurran.
BIBBED v UNBIBBED 4-2
GOALS:
Bibbed==> Mohammad, Yassim, Khaled Alk (2)
Unbibbed==> Matthew, Julien
TEAMS:
BIBBED: Tony L, Chetan, Hossam, Hannes, Ben, Sara, Mohammad, Yassim, Giancarlo, Andrea,Francesco, Khaled Alk,
UNBIBBED: Thomas. Filippo,Andre’, Kurran, Federico, Johannes, Julien, Nima, Marco, Matthew, Khaled Alg, Jamal,