“Is that all you got?”

At one point Giacomo received a sweet ball on the left edge of the box and produced a strong deadly curling shot destined to hit the inside of the crossbar. The crowd on the stand stood up as one pre-savouring the feeling of watching the ball inflating the net. But Tony L. had planned differently: he first recoiled only to spring an upward dive to just tip the ball off the crossbar. The Orange fans deflated while the Colours ones elated.
Any modern goalkeeper would have then jumped up and down punching the air in celebration as if he won single handed the World Cup. Tony L instead calmly stood up and watching Giacomo straight in the eyes asked defiantly: ‘is that all you got for me?‘. Turning the extraordinary into ordinary is part of FDs everyday life: no surprise they don’t make a fuss about it.
The match was also graced by the return of two giants of the beautiful game: Tarek and Chris Pilot. The first postponed his flight back to New York and was able to show that his intimate relationship with the ball has not suffered since his departure.
As for Chris he joined the Colours midway through the game: they had ever since a clean sheet and those who know him also know that this was not a coincidence. For the first 20′ there was nothing to divide the two teams as the packed pitch (27 players!) didn’t not allow the customary one touch, free flowing football and it was only thanks to a swift turn in front of goal that Mohammad managed to break the ice and put Orange in front.
But today luck was not on their side as Yassin suffered a bad injury in a clash with Marco. When it was evident that his game was over bookmakers frantically adjusted the odds trying to limit the damage in the full knowledge that there is no substitute for Yassin. Also it is when these things happen that the Club decision not to go public is vindicated: should FDs be listed, the stock on Monday would be limit down for few sessions.
The Colours capitalised on the event and Giacomo equalised with a fine header. Soon after Tony S. made it clear to everyone why is nicknamed ‘Fox in the box’ by being as usual at the right time in the right place to take the Colours in front. Tony today showed extra agility as the warm weather allowed him to play with only three top layers and one legging!
The Orange tested their opponents’ defence who stood firm and vigilant with Stanley rising to the occasion as a goalkeeper. The winners took it all when Andrea scored the golden goal with an angled shot that sealed the day.
Given the high numbers of players, hence champions, there was no shortage of candidates for the ‘Man of the Match’: Andrea on top of the golden goal was very creative in midfield. Giacomo again confirmed his remarkable hit ratio while Marco assisted all the three Colours’ goal.
But the winner was vintage Federico who had a hell of a game. Commentators likened his performance to that of Maldini but it looks to us that a comparison with the early Gareth Bale is more appropriate: in fact he ploughed the left side back and forth effortlessly turning defending into attacking in no time.
When Inter Maicon faced Tottenham Bale in an epic Champions League game he decided to stop in London one more day to be able to see the Welsh as the Brazilian had no such choice during the game…and so the Orange players today with Federico today.
Giancarlo Castelli
COLOUR-ORANGE 3-1
GOALS:
COLOUR: Jack, Tony, Andrea
ORANGE: Mohammad
TEAMS:
ORANGE: Tony L, Arman, Chetan, Julien, Hossam, Ben, Diego, Tarek, Yassin, Mohammed, Khaled, Jeremy T, Aidan, Nizard, Francesco,
COLOURS: Stanley, Massimo, Gabriele, Federico, Chris, Matej, Christian, Y Tom, Johannes, Giancarlo, Giacomo, Tony S,