Bicycle Thieves and farewell to a true icon
A classic 10-a side battle not short of 'wow' moments that sees the Oranges prevail 8-5
It could have gone down as the day of the bicycle kicks, with both Adam and Ross trying the most spectacular of the football moves.
However, while technically impeccable, both their attempts were stolen by heroic defending, as in a classic black and white Neorealism Italian movie.
Just one meter from the goal line, Adam’s bicycle kick was executed with careless considerations on the defenders surrounding him. After all, who cares if your boot hits an opponent’s head? Ibrahimovic would have been proud of him. Still, his kick crashed on a wall created by Hossam, Andrea and Paride determine to stop it.
On the other side, the bicycle kick was tried by Ross, who found himself unmarked receiving a perfect cross from Bijan. Ross’s coordination was superb but Alessandro did what a great goalkeeper does, he courageously launched himself upfront looking like Superman and got on the ball just a millisecond before, preventing Ross to score.
Despite the lack of bicycle kick goals, there was no shortage of “wow” moments in the match, played on the classic Palace pitch.
All players and fans stood in admiration when Francesco stopped a ball and, without having it touch the ground, sent it in goal with a perfect lob going over Alessandro. A move that many were quickly to compare with Thierry Henry’s stunning goal against ManUtd, although arguably it was easier for the French striker, as he didn’t have to battle against defenders such as Johannes and Riccardo.
Playing one of the best match of his season so far, Francesco had also provided an early assist to Al and later scored another one, after deadly combinations with Oliviero and Ross. But that was not going to be enough.
Despite having gone ahead twice (1-0 and 2-1), his Colours team was drawn on the 2-2, and after that was never able to regain the lead.
Led by a Johannes in fine form, the Oranges played an all-attacking match, besieging the Colours in their box. While this strategy exposed them to the occasional counter-attack, it bore the expected fruit with Adam and Oscar netting a brace, and Johannes, Aurian and Diego scoring one each.
At half time, after having snapped Bijan on a free transfer, the Colours found themselves in a better position, able to push back more. Several of their counter-attacks were wasted with inaccurate passes or by excessive dribbling, but in two of these occasions Oliviero was able to get to the finish line and put the ball behind Alessandro with his left foot.
Having reduced the gap to only one goal (6-5), with minutes to go, the Colours saw the opportunity to draw and had few occasions to do so, but they lacked accuracy at the decisive moment.
The same was not true for the Oranges, ready to punish them, securing a more comfortable 7-5, just before entering Golden Goal territory.
AUF WIEDERSEHEN THOMAS
Since the start the match had been playing in a highly emotional context. After several false alarms, today has been confirmed to be Thomas’s last performance, before he relocates to the Bavarian Alps for his well-earned retirement.
Right before the match, the German icon was honoured by the players and given a beautiful black-and-white picture of one of the first Master Game he played, back in the days.
A wonderful memento, but nostalgia is of little use on a football pitch. It’s much better to live the moment and create new memories.
Playing for the Oranges, Thomas was placed in a more upfront position compared to his usual matches. His teammates wanted him to exit with a bang and encouraged him to shoot every time he had a chance.
The German didn’t seem too convinced, after all this is a player that has always put the team’s result above his individual ones. A man normally of great passes rather goals. But as much as he seemed reluctant to shoot, he couldn’t resist sending the ball in goal with a tap-in for the Golden Goal, sealing the Orange’s victory. A fitting and moving conclusion.
Did Paride let him score, suggested someone, thinking they had noticed an hesitation in the Italian goalkeeper. Certainly not, is the answer. Friendship and camaraderie can be found in spades among Football Dads, but never to the point to lead to sentimentalism, or compromise the unrelenting search for a victory.
As for the MOTM award, the jury couldn’t decide whether to award it to Francesco, Bijan, Adam, Johannes or Thomas. A determination more difficult that the one the US Supreme Court was asked to take this week. Follow BBC Breaking News to hear about the final decision.
ORANGES - COLOURS 8-5
GOALS
Oranges: Oscar (2), Adam (2), Johannes, Aurian, Diego, Thomas
Colours: Francesco (2), Oliviero (2), Al