Hyde Park turns Serengeti, as FDs welcome more rookies and Hannes scores a stunner
The lawn at Kensington Palace looked like the Serengeti in the dry season. And then some hungry beasts showed up from everywhere.
Seven on each side, all armed with the appetite of a lion, the speed of a gazelle, and the cunning ability of a pack of hyenas.
The match was frantic, defying the heat. Fortunes kept shifting. Seven was the magic number, with 7:6 for the bibs the final scoreline.
The bibbed team benefited from a slightly lower average age, while Colours had experience on their side.
The Colours had initially taken the lead, courtesy of rookie David who could not have a better introduction. However, the Colours then went 1:3 down, mainly owed to a more efficient conversion by the Bibs.
Two goals each from Johannes and Hannes shifted the scoreline briefly back in the Colours’ favour, but the Bibs launched wave after wave of attacks to make it back to 6:6, with Dario scoring the Golden Goal with the final header.
Legions of fans and bystanders afterwards expressed their gratitude for this world class football event, reminiscent of the recent England’s memorable win over France in the World Cup Bronze final.
David walked home with the highly coveted Rookie of the Match Award, for his highly positive spirit and contribution. Kudos went also to the other rookie James, author of a valid performance, and almost celebrated for bringing a new nation (Thailand, unfortunately already on the list).
The MOTM award went to Hannes, not just for his great defensive work but for amazing offensive contribution- including one particularly stellar torpedo off a corner into top bin and second header.
The German icon was full of joy when collecting the award “In truth, it was a great goal. In a way it was the fulfilment of that volleyed almost goal that Alessandro sadly heroically prevented from going in two weeks ago… Sharp pass from the corner, taken directly and smashed right under the crossbar… will dream of it in years to come”.
Colours: Hossam, Chetan, David W., Hannes, Johannes, Adam, Kaan
Bibs: Dario, Jonathan, Jonathan, Marco, Al, Jamie, Mortaza