Special festive edition: double commentary!
Commentaries are like busses. You wait a lot for one, and then you get two!
Today our readers can relive the match not once but twice, thanks to a double write-up by debutant Tony and veteran Giancarlo. Enjoy!
Football at its absolute zenith
By Tony Laskar
8-a-side, and the battlefield is alive with the pulse of a footballing epic! The year-end clash just before Christmas explodes into action at 10:12 AM, unleashing a torrent of anticipation. The atmosphere crackles with tension as the clash of footballing titans promises to redefine the very essence of the beautiful game.
In the early minutes, Giancarlo whips in an early corner, delivering a perfect cross to Julien, who narrowly misses with a header skimming the top right corner. Seconds later a counter attack by Francesco’s cross almost gifts the perfect assist, and nano seconds later, Johannes’ frosty shot only inches away from an open goal keeps the crowd on the edge. The speed was exhilarating keeping the fans on their feet chanting for both sides and going wild. Due to the famous names on the pitch, more fans were piling up at the gates, it was so electrifying that fans abandoned their Christmas shopping for a front-row seat in the palace garden, eager for a glimpse of their footballing idols.
But hold on! Without any hesitation, Francesco steps up with an amazing volley, an unstoppable rocket into left centre of the goal assisted by Daoud. Alessandro only feeling the wind of the ball and moving his glasses as the ball rocketed passed him. The score 1 – 0. The bibs continued up the pitch and focussed on the far right wing with Arman & Hannes playing like a dynamic duo, reminiscent of Garrincha (Manuel Francisco dos Santos) and Hans-Josef Hellingrath and then we witness an epic showdown between Adam and Arman keeping the fans screaming “Kids rule!”. Arman takes a shot, but the ball goes wide, fans hands on their heads screaming “give it to Giancarlo!”.
Today, Giancarlo was ferociously fast which we have not seen for months. Maybe Giancarlo has been taking some kind of special pills, his movements were fluid like he was already skiing in the Dolomites. Then we have Hossam, his passing is nothing short of immaculate. The Hossam Trio, were in full effect and their skill and play made Beckham message whilst live streaming the game, stating he wants Adam to join his team. I did not reply.
The game continues with speed, Ragni Junior, Andrea kept the ball moving in the bibs territory, it was like a tennis match with fans heads moving left to right every second. There was a change in tactic, and a late start by Chetan, the bibs said enough is enough, and Hannes’s deep pass places the ball right in front of the goal where Julien was ready to score but suddenly our French man lost balance due to the bibs side of pitch with secret holes on the surface causing Julien to trip and lose the opportunity to equalise. The ball goes back to the Bibs half, the ball moving from player to player thanks to Ragni Junior, with precision and once again with Italian flair, Ragni Senior, delivered a fantastic back flick to Daoud for a near second goal.
The colours were playing rush goalie, a strategic decision to make the bibs believe they actually had an easy game on their hands. They were singing “who needs a goalie? NOT US!” in their changing room. This time Our Gardener, Thomas, was in goal. Thomas kept his area clean. After weeks of liaising with Manuel Neuer, Thomas was sure to be a major thorn for the bibs. On the other side, Alessandro was covering every inch of his goal.
By everyone’s surprise, the Colours took a leaf out of the bibs tactic, with Adam taking a long shot perfectly on target with Alessandro spectacularly diving across his goal blocking the ball from entry to only offer a corner. This drove the Colours to re-organise and allowing Mohammed do what he does best (albeit without his usual team mate Yasin). Mohammed was dribbling past all centre mid-fielders and went for goal. Fortunately for the bibs, Mohammed missed, taking the ball off target and into the crowd.
No time to waste, in a blink the bibs are in counter attack mode, Julien takes a shot, gets blocked and wins a corner for his team. No real set play from the corner and the teams were hungry for an equaliser. The ball goes back to the bibs half, a pass towards Adam with the ball in the air positions Adam to perform his bicycle kick. The pitch and fans go silent, we could hear a pin drop and everything was in slow motion. Adam falls to the ground, looking at the ball, his faces turns low, head in the mud and the bibs fans roar with joy and relief that Adam’s infamous kick missed the goal.
Only 30 mins in, the score remains 1 -0. The atmosphere is buzzing, everyone wants to play to win, focussed and not giving any side a chance. Both sides knew it would take more than foot skills to break either opponent but greater mental strength to outplay and score. This was a game of pure intelligence, strategic manoeuvres giving Magnus Carlsen some tips when he joined our Live Stream.
Hossam got the team together, pumping up the motivation to new heights and encouraged his team mates that his side needed to “gel more”. He was right. Hossam knew his team could not afford to give the Colours any space to play, with the defence so strong, Colours needed to find a break. Adam knew what Hossam senior’s game play was. He had to find the tiniest gap to break free, he and Daoud communicated on a level we have never seen before, Daoud took a beautiful goal assisted by Adam, bringing the score to 2 -0 only 5 minutes later.
The Bibs calmed down and took the ball to the Colours side, pressure mounted high on their defence, shots being taken left right and centre, blocked by a solid defence. It was only when Johannes’s hawk eye and quick thinking went straight into the goal area with Giancarlo side by side in attack, takes Johannes assist and like a sushi knife slices the ball into the back of the Colours net. Fans go crazy, bibs team mates run backwards, not giving the colours any quick counter attack opportunities. The game is back on! 2 -1 after 40 minutes.
The Colours played the ball to Daoud, Daoud took no time to go for a shot, the ball perfectly hit and flying to the back of the net, but no way was Alessandro letting another goal in. Alessandro dived to the bottom left corner holding on to the ball with his life. The shear strength of Alessandro today was mesmerising. Could he be man of the match for the bibs? As I write the Board are still evaluating the final decision.
Watching the Hossam Trio play today, had us all on our toes. It was Sara who managed to tackle and out smart Adam on the pitch today disturbing Adam’s centre play which pushed him to keep away from Sara and played deep left wing moments later. Sara’s passing was elegant with pin-point targeting creating havoc for the Colours centre backs. Al was showing his true colours today covering his area with ease, it was only when Giancarlo out paced the young AL and achieved a corner for the Bibs. Al was surprised scratching his head, saying to his defence team “watch out, something is different about Giancarlo today”.
You think the game is over – think again! Francesco playing like Totti, with his back heel pass to Andrea was pure brilliance. Andrea taking the ball with such excitement took an immediate shot at goal with the ball flying over the crossbar deep into the crowd. An opportunity missed but the Bibs knew Alessandro was not letting anymore goals in. Andrea fell to the ground in disbelief, apologising to our Totti and the fans.
Shots were being fired on both sides, but more heavy blows were provided to the Colours by the Bibs – Hossam runs up with the ball and sees the goal, takes a shot, curling the ball towards the inside top left corner and skims pass the goal, millimetres aways. A corner given, Johannes all set, places the ball on the tip of the corner spot, floats the ball with unbelievable accuracy, Julien side steps the defence, gets into a new open position and heads the ball with sheer determination and focus. The fans jump in the air and screams “Tu es un gagnant! Tu es un gagnant!” Julien stays cool, brings the game to a level score 2- 2 after 60 minutes. Game on!
There was no time wasting. The following 15 minutes consisted of intense attacks by the Colours, but the bibs defence and Alessandro denied all possibilities. Pushing the Colours back into their own half at all times. There was nothing they could do to break through. The bibs were in control. The colours knew it, but battled on to come together. Maybe they needed to “gel more”. There was a Bib break, with Johannes running with the ball to goal, Thomas in goal, fearless and running at high speed not having his counter German player win over him this time, Thomas showed speed, courage and was not going to let a goal in either. Thomas won the ball decisively. Seconds later, Giancarlo wins the ball from an amazing tackle, Giancarlo shoots, not once but twice on the rebound, but Thomas, the Gardener wanted a clean back garden this Christmas and beat Giancarlo at all times.
Back in the bibs territory, Colours shouted “Foul!!!” when Hannes takes a tackle. The referee takes a look at VAR, but Hannes taking a leaf out of CR7’s book, said, “take the Free Kick!”. Hannes winked at Alessandro and knew the Colours would not pass. Daoud took the Free kick and Hannes and the defence had no reason to panic. Alessandro made another great save from a master piece set play with such precision by the Colours, yet failed to trick Alessandro into their trap. The Colours increased the pressure, but Alessandro kept the Colours at bay.
Enter the golden goal after 95 minutes, Giancarlo seizes the moment, weaving intricate 1-2s with Arman and Johannes, delivering the golden goal and a triumphant 3-2 victory to the bibs!
What a spectacle, a rollercoaster of emotions, and football at its absolute zenith!
Time for the Man and Woman of the Match
by Giancarlo Castelli
So that you know, the ‘Sun’ is running a story about Royals and Football Dads, not for the first time. Apparently the ex tenants of Kensington Palace have figured out that FDs play by the Palace during half terms and so they make it a priority to be there. This is conveniently providing an opportunity for William and Harry to meet up with their families for the joy of the five kids who keep dreaming of finding a Football Kids kit under the Christmas tree.
Today they would have been pleased by what was on display: a match going to the wire with only the golden goal separating two sides willing to gift their fans a festive victory.
The animosity did not take anything away from fluency and speed on both sides: Adam and Johannes crossed the pitch multiple times well above the 20mph limit with the ball glued to their feet inflicting pain at will.
Even the oldest serving Dad, that is Giancarlo, was seen saving a goal on his line and then scoring at the opposite end. It is accepted but not explained that age adds experience to FDs with no side effects.
The Orange started the game in an exuberant mood but showed profligacy in front of goal while the Colours with a well rehearsed and balanced 2-2-2 invented the opening goal with Francesco who volleyed the ball under the roof of the net. It was a goal reminiscent of the one scored by Van Basten in the Holland v Russia European Cup. Perhaps the angle this time was just a little bit less challenging but the execution as exquisite.
At this point it was clear that Colours had the upper hand in midfield and were able to put their strikers in front of goal almost at will. Talking of which today Daoud was back after a long absence. Those who like stats say that it’s easier to remembered the games where Haaland didn’t score that those that Daoud didn’t. In fact to prove the point he scored a beauty with his left inside back heed on an assist by Adam.
Orange were at sea even after Chetan joined them giving them the man up. Giancarlo was heard screaming in frustration: ‘We need a striker!!’ Gently his teammates made him realise that he was the Orange striker on the day… That hit a cord and at the first available opportunity Giancarlo scored with a touch as ugly as effective. It was game on!
Orange seized the momentum and on one of countless corners Johannes put a ball on a plate in the middle of the box for Julien to smash it onto the net. The tactical change to switch Julien to a more attacking position in midfield has paid handsome dividends
as the French is now an abituee’ of the scoreline. We hope this fantastic player keeps his feet on the ground and his head on his shoulders continuing also to perform his defensive duties.
The Colour’s reaction was furious but when you have lined up in front of you the likes of Hossam, Hannes and Chetan you probably feel like one of those strikers, however talented, that had to face (not their choice) Maldini, Nesta and Stam. You can keep playing for a week but there is not guarantee you will score. Alessandro then was able to deny whatever was coming through with few impressive saves.
With both sides firing blank it was time for the golden goal, perhaps the last of the year. When Giancarlo received a ball inside the box he had time to think what Roberto Baggio would have done: he aimed at the far post sending the defender and the keeper crashing against that post while curling the ball into the near corner completing an unlikely 3-2 remuntada.
It was a proper reward for the Orange fans who, not for a second, despaired about the outcome of the game and brought back home another Christmas tale for those unlucky enough not see it live.
The Man of the Match accolade had many claimants: Johannes and Adam by default, Daoud and Francesco for their fine goals, Giancarlo for the brace and the goal saved. Perhaps the man who influenced the score the most was Alessandro with his crucial saves. At one point he had to endure a severe tackle (see picture) by no less than his teammate Hannes.
In the post match interview, Der Kaiser said nonchalantly that he has now adopted in line with prevailing trends a ‘non discriminatory’ policy so that he will tackle everyone around him regardless. Sustainably so.
BUT with so much to pick from, the voters were instead in a festive mood and thought that the best treat of the game which warmed them up were the Mullwein und die Stollen provided by Thomas and Gabi who were crowned Man and Woman of the Match: first time ever a couple achieved such a feat! Gratulieren!
ORANGE-COLOURS 3-2
GOALS
ORANGE: Giancarlo (2), Julien
COLOURS: Francesco, Daoud
TEAMS
ORANGE: Alessandro, Hossam, Hannes, Johannes, Chetan, Arman, Sara, Giancarlo
COLOURS: Thomas, Mohammad, Andrea M, Al, Adam, Andrea R, Francesco, Daoud
