Scoring in the rain
“So, where are all the kids?” asked Adrian with his perfect Hugh Grant-voice as he arrived on the pitch by the Pond. As one of the Founding Fathers, and having been absent from the game for several years, he was perplexed not to see a legion of young kids next to their fathers.
“They have all grown up!” was Hossam’s answer, pointing to Johannes and Sara “and we are now waiting for them to procreate the next generation of players“. Thomas nodded, aware of the fact that he is now officially the first Football Gran Dad.
As an incessant rain poured over the players there was no time for further small talk. Two teams of seven (Blues vs Bibs) were quickly assembled, and it was game on.
Playing up-front for the Bibs, Francesco started in a devastating mode. He scored twice with two long-distance shots as powerful as precise, one with the left and one with the right foot, leaving the fans stunned. Too late to be considered for Goal of the Season?
Having started the match with one man down, at first the Blues had been outnumbered on the pitch. But when Tony L arrived late to join them, they could sigh with relief. With him in goal and the same number of players, they started to deploy impressive geometries and super fast one-touch football. A typical play would see Yassin recover the ball in midfield, dribble one or two opponents, perform a speedy one-two with Julien, then pretend to shoot in goal to confuse Hannes, and instead hand the ball to Shaqir for a final touch. You get the picture.
Playing with intensity and gusto, the Blues scored 5 goals in a row, before Johannes was able to net one for the Bibs thanks to a precise assist from Charlie.
On the 5-3 the Bibs still hoped to regain control of the match, but they didn’t have much luck. Francesco’s quest for an hat-trick was frustrated by effective Blues defence on counterattacks and corner kicks. Hossam went close to score after he passed Yassin with a rare nutmeg, but his ball hit the post. Powerful shots by Johannes and Hannes lacked the extra-inch of precision needed to end in goal or work as assist.
As a matador keen to entertain the arena before killing the bull, the Blues missed a few more chance waiting for the right moment but eventually brought the match to its natural end, scoring first for the 6-3 and later, with the Golden Goal for the 7-3, erupting in joy afterwards .
It’s a testament to the collective strength of their team that four players of the Blues scored (Yassin 2, Julien 2, Victor 2 and Shaqir). A reminder that despite the importance of individual talents, football is and remains a team sport.
Only after the final whistle the players realised that it had rained constantly throughout the match and they were completely wet. Something you don’t really notice when you are in full agonistic trance, only focused on the ball.
“I am so glad to be back after being hit by Covid” said TonyL before running home to get a much needed hot shower.”Self-isolation is not nice but is tolerable. The absence of football is unbearable”.
Well said. See you next week.
BLUES-BIBS 7-3
TEAMS
BLUES: Yassin, Victor, Julien, TonyL, Shaqir, Thomas, Lorenzo
BIBS: Francesco, Hossam, Hannes, Johannes, Adrian, Charlie, Sara
GOALS
BLUES: Julien (2), Yassin (2), Victor (2), Shaqir
BIBS: Francesco (2), Johannes