Hossam makes a triumphant return as Football Dads welcome the 54th Nation
With him on the pitch the MG6 would have been a different story altogether. The 4th of July, previously known as the day of American independence is now remembered as the day Hossam got injured thus depriving Dads of their lethal weapon.
Today Hossam got back with a bang, delivering an outstanding performance and leading his team to an indisputable victory.
The Algorithm placed him with the Bibbed and the bookmakers were quick to pick up the lead. After a balanced, hardly fought half an hour, Hossam unbalanced the game with a sublime volley on a delicious pass from Chetan. It was bound to happen, as the Bibs had been more effective in dominating midfield and creating chances, while their opponents struggle to get in front of goal. Having secured a first lead, the Bibs played with even more confidence and found the net again, first with Nima and then with Julien.
At 3-0 down the Unbibbed had a chance to reduce the gap with a penalty for a platonic hand ball sanctioned by VAR. Paride in goal had finally a chance to put in practice the hard work he did during most of his Covid time by studying the way each Dad takes penalties. Giancarlo took the ball and placed it on the white spot sporting the calmness of someone who has never missed a single penalty. In fact it could well be argued that he did not miss it but rather Paride saved it with a feline dive on his right dealing also with the rebound.
Instead of being demoralised, after the missed penalty the Unbibs seemed to find some extra motivation. The team started to play more elegantly, thanks also to the impromptu recruiting of a new player, Belgian-born Andrè, who silently positioned himself in defence next to Hannes. The Unbibs attack however remained sterile, and when Francesco suffered a hand injury because Chetan hit him with his 20kg metal watch, it was clear it wasn’t their day.
A Golden goal scored by Khaled Alf. sealed the result at 4-1 and allowed the Unbibbed to salute the fans with pride if not joy.
Hossam took home the Man of the Match award. Not only did he score but gave the Bibbed confidence and authority showing firmness in defence, passing skills in midfield and being a thorn in the Unbibbed defence when attacking.
As the Chief Historian of the match was quick to point out, having Andrè on the pitch means that the Football Dads can now count 54 Nations in their ranks. Quite incredibly, the country that invented French fries and gave us Eden Hazard had somehow manage to be absent from our franchise until today.
“I am incredibly proud to be the man bringing the Belgian flag in the realm of the Football Dads for the first time.” said Andrè after the match, promising to bring next week chocolate, waffles and few cases of trappist beers for the team.
Bibbed v Unbibbed 4-1
TEAMS
Bibbed: Paride, Chetan, Massimo, Hossam, Julien, Marco, Yassin, Khaled Alk, Nima
Unbibbed: Tony L, Federico, Andre’, Hannes, Philipp,Johannes, Sara, Giancarlo, Khaled Alf, Francesco
GOALS:
Bibbed: Hossam, Nima, Julien, Khaled Alq.
Unbibbed: Khaled Alf.