Triunfo do time laranja diante de torcida apaixonada
In football there are few certainties. One of them is that if before the match you hear your opponents speaking between them in Portuguese, you are up for trouble.
That’s how the Colours team felt when they noticed that the Oranges were strategising using the language of Fernando Pessoa and Josè Saramago. Hossam and Sara were joined by fellow Portuguese newcomer Manuel with his daughter Matilda, with Victor adding the necessary Brazilian flavour. Added to this mix were superstars Yassin and Bijan, unable to speak Portuguese but fluent in the language of football and equipped with telepathic abilities, and veteran Paride in goal.
Despite such impressive roster, the Colours team wasn’t immune by potential problems. Hossam was playing with a groin injury and had to limit his movements, although that’s not a big deal for a player whose greatest skills is an innate sense of positioning that would make Maldini envious.
The other (potential) issue was with the two rookies. Manuel and Matilda had arrived well prepared, having read all past commentaries, watched all videos and heard endless stories from Hossam. Still they were left initially shocked by the high pace and the impressive skills on display. Nevertheless, it took them just a few minutes to adjust and step up to the challenge, finding their position and contributing to the first goal of the match, scored by Bijan with a stylish move.
Playing without a proper goalkeeper, the Colours had developed a defensive strategy based on erecting a dyke 10 meters from goal with Massimo, Federico and Thomas. Midfield was controlled by Mohamed and Johannes, with youngster Al and Arman patrolling the wings and Francesco upfront.
Their efforts were rewarded at the 30 minutes mark with a perfectly executed counterattack. Johannes dribbled a few players, went on the left side and sent a precise pass in the box where Federico was ready to convert with a powerful shot (see cover photo).
Still, the Oranges had the upper hand. Their playing was more fluid and precise than the Colours. Yassin had been all over the pitch, stealing balls like a modern Aladdin in the Aqaba market. When he got one on the left side, he touched it twice to get in front of the goal and score. Minutes later, Victor bagged another one, bringing the score at 3-1.
The arrival of Giuseppe brought some respite for the Colours. Playing with his customary Napoli shirt, the young Italian infused a new flair to the pitch, making the Colours’ play immediately more dangerous. In one of these plays Massimo descended on the right side and crossed the ball in the box. Giuseppe ventured in the air and hit it with an acrobatic kick a-la Ibrahimovic, leaving Paride unable to save it (3-2).
Worried by a likely remuntada, the Oranges quickly went on the market and hired a new player Alberto. His arrival proved to be a decisive move, as Alberto brought added solidity to their defense and rebalanced the team, who scored two more goals (5-2).
As the match continued, the crowd grew larger and larger on both sides of the Pond pitch. It included wags, football lovers, bystanders, pundits and even a professional scout from China, gather intelligence on all players. Two of the spectators were so excited by the game that they begged the players to join. The request was politely refused, they had no proper shoes or kit, but we won’t be surprised if they show up next Saturday at 10am fully suited up.
Unable to play, Hannes had also been watching the match from the side, dressed in smart casual. But towards the end, when he realised that the Colours were wobbling like a wounded bird, he didn’t hesitate to enter the pitch and go in goal. Not just that, when a ball was sent on the right side of his goal, he broke into a furious sprint to avoid it going to the other team. The crowd erupted in joy and started to chant his name “Ole Ole Ole, Hannes Wittig, Ole“.
In the final minutes of the match, latecomer Chetan replaced the injured Federico, but the fate seemed sealed. The match was declared over without the customary golden goal and the Oranges could finally celebrate their glorious victory.
The Man of the Match award had to go to one of them and the jury chosen Paride. While he wasn’t too busy in goal, he was there when it mattered, all while maintaining a commanding presence that had the double effect of terrifying his opponents and inspiring his teammates.
In the after match, still worried about his groin, Hossam got a precious tip from Thomas: the name of a Munich-based surgeon considered the best in the world for this type of injury. Her clinic is filled with pictures of famous athletes that used her services, like Roger Federer. Apparently she charges a very variable fee depending on whether she likes the patient or not. If that’s the case, the charming Hossam can be sure to get the surgery for free, or perhaps she will pay to be able to cure him and put his picture on her wall.
Rookie Matilda celebrated her initiation and her victory with an infectious smile. She is now rumoured to wanting to transfer from Edinburgh University to the Imperial College, situated at walking distance from the Pond. That might not happen, but we hope to see her and her father soon again. Até mais!
ORANGE-COLOURS 5-2
ORANGE: Paride, Hossam, Sara, Manuel (1), Matilda, Victor (1), Yassin (2), Bijan (1),
COLOURS: Johannes, Mohammed, Al, Massimo, Thomas, Francesco, Federico (1), Arman, Giuseppe (1), Chetan, Hannes
