The power of the long throw
Six days after the Hayes’ triumph, the winning Dads entered the Pond pitch with the pride of Rocky Balboa after beating Apollo Creed in the rematch.
While last Sunday’s victory will live long in the memory (or at least unti the 21st of September), the Dads are too wise to know that in football you need to prove your worth every single time you play.
But there is a reason why the inter-generational rivalry Dads vs Kids is confined to Master Games. All other weekly matches are rigorously based on a non-selective, all-inclusive policy with the teams created with the unique goal to balance the odds. With this spirit, two teams of 12 players were quickly assembled, mixing senators, raising stars and young talents in equal measure.
The resulting match was in fact very balanced, with both teams playing great football at phenomenal speed. Colours were the first to break the deadlock with Daoud, doubling up minutes later with Adam, able to score from a very tight angle.
A two-goals advantage so early in the game could create some complacency, but not in a team well structured as the Colours, who continued to attack furiously looking for a third goal. When Francesco received a beautiful long ball from Marco, he found himself alone in front of Tony but shot it wide, much to his teammates disbelief. Minutes later, however, it was Marco to find the net with one of the most extraordinary goals of the season.
Starting with the ball from the left side, outside the box, the young Italian moved sideways to find an opening, touching the ball once, twice, thrice, when finally he saw a possible trajectory towards the upper corner of the net. His shot was so powerful and precise that everyone, including Tony, could simply watch it end in goal.
The 3-0 lead, however, turned out to be as ephemeral as a British clear sky. Led by Yassin in his usual stellar form and by a monumental Paride in midfield, the Oranges upped up their game and got their reward, scoring three times in succession to get even and missing a fourth one when Alessandro saved miraculously a close acrobatic volley from Paride.
The Colours had never stopped to attack but missed luck, hitting the bar twice in the space of few minutes, first with Andrea and then with Adam. This was the signal that the Oranges were expecting. The Gods of footballs had made up their mind as to who deserved to win.
When the Orange won a throw just few meters from the goal line, Julian took the ball and told Paride to go on the farther post to receive it. Initially skeptical, Paride nevertheless positioned himself on the far post. Remembering that “Believe” is Ted Lasso’s mantra, he decided to believe that his teammate knew what he was doing. Julian’s throw was in fact so long and precise that Paride found himself alone, all the defenders busy to mark others, and sent it in goal touching it with his thigh. An incredible remuntada that was further cemented by the Golden Goal scored by Yassin.
The Man of the Match award had to go to a player on the winning team and the jury’s choice was to recognise Paride’s contribution, not just for his goal, as ugly as effective, but for his commanding presence on the pitch. And for believing in his teammate.
ORANGES-COLOURS 5-3
TEAMS
Oranges: Tony, Paride, Hossam, Thomas, Julien, Julian, Bijan, Matteo, Jonathan, Yassin, Andre, Federico
Colours: Alessandro, Francesco, Hannes, Al, Dan, Johannes, Andrea, Marco, Adam, Daoud, Arman, Ziad, Matei
GOALS
Oranges: Paride, Yassin (2), Bijan (2)
Colours: Daoud, Adam, Marco