When irrational exuberance meets cynical experience
Dads had a big problem before the game: both right backs Thomas and Andre’ were missing in action. The way they cover the territory and make it their own ‘Avenida’ is not something that can be easily deputised. Not to mention the absence of Hossam who can make the difference in any part of the pitch anytime.
Yet the CLUB had the solution at hand: Branko was flown in last minute with a private yet given that BA had even bigger problems. And he did repay the trust with a superb performance both defensively and in the build up. The problem though was that he brought with him also his Kids Dario and Diego along with their friend, Tomas from Chile. The trio added class and energy to a Kids team that looked already intimidating. Dario and Diego with their physical exuberance and fine technique were a constant threat in attack while Tomas with its ‘ Busquets’ type of play was constantly feeding them without wasting a single ball.
The match was also graced by the presence of yet another rookie Rohan from India who strengthened Kids’ midfield.
Everything was in place for a memorable fight. Players also managed to regain the pitch by the Palace with its freshly cut grass and two eleven strong teams who did not want to leave the game as losers, at any cost. Fans followed in spades with no trouble as their seasonal tickets are fully fungible and do open the gates of the Maracana’ as well as Woodworm Scrubs, the Pond and the Palace.
Pundits were ready to point out that Dads’ defence could have been shaken by the reiterated assaults of the young guns but those who knew better sensed that the wall put up by Alessandro in goal, Hannes and Christian in central defence had stood much worse.
Kick off turned talks into action: Kids took control of midfield under Johaness direction while Giancarlo, Khaled and Julien found it easier to retrench and relaunch with long range passes. Dads were blessed upfront by the presence of Daoud as ruthless striker flanked by Francesco and Nizard. Combined they had a hell of a game swapping assists and goals at will much to the disbelieve of the Kids defence which badly missed Paride in goal.
It was Daoud, who else, who broke the ice and went one to score an early hat trick. His performance did nothing but add to the rumour that Man City will ditch Haaland the very moment they can put their hands on Daoud.
On the other front Kids has numerous occasions to score, either negated by Alessandro and defence or going narrowly wide. A sensational double save by the Dads’ keeper had fans raising the volume as for a goal. At the umpteenth time of asking, Dario finally scored one for the Kids followed by Al but the goals gap was immediately restored by Francesco who put the finishing touch to a glorious team move and Julien heading in a pinpointed cross by Nizard. The latter today looked possessed and was constantly on the move dribbling, shooting and providing assists giving no chance to the opposition to catch him.
At 5-2 after 100’ play it was clear that only the golden goal would have given the Kids’ fans a chance to enjoy the sunny day instead of going home and beating their wags (which incidentally is the reason why they care so much about their partners’ game). Diego turned out to be their saviour as he scored the final goal of a glorious game in a glorious day.
There were few players worth of a Man of the Match trophy: Branko, the Dads’ defence and Nizard. But the award yet again went to Daoud: with his goals he is tilting the balance of the game in favour of the old guard and has raised fresh hopes for a proper vendetta in the MG9. The goods news though for the other players is that he has hit already the quarterly ceiling for the award and from the next game on the coveted trophy it will be up for grab.
DADS-KIDS 5-3
GOALS:
DADS: Daoud (3), Julien, Francesco
KIDS: Dario, Al, Diego
TEAMS
DADS: Alessandro, Hannes, Christian, Branko, Julien, Bijan, Giancarlo, Khaled, Nizard, Daoud, Francesco
KIDS: Luca, Giacomo, Al, Arsalan, Ali, Rohan, Tomas, Johaness, Andrea R, Andrea G, Diego, Dario
