The sky was bright and the day sunny as both teams marched into the field alongside the referees. It was Rising stars FC (My team) vs River belt FC who were about to decide their qualification fate in the Central Street Soccer Tournament(CSST). This is a street tournament where various neighbouring streets pick a soccer team of 20 players from their street. The group table is boiling hot as every team fights to stand the chance of qualifying. Teams in group C were powerhouse machineries. you can imagine Barcelona, Bayern, Real Madrid and Juventus all in one group. That's how hot the teams group is.
Current Table:
Pos Team MP W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 River belt FC 5 3 1 1 8 6 +2 10
2* Rising stars 5 2 1 2 5 5 0 7
3 Mozilla UTD 5 1 2 2 4 5 −1 5
4 Back street FC 5 1 2 2 4 5 −1 5
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Friday 12 October, 3:15pm GMT+01:00, the game kicked off. Both teams were playing massively conquering their opponent's half if given little space. I was on the substitute bench watching the game with intense pressure calculating our benchmark in the tournament if we loose the game. A draw would be fair for us at this moment.
There goes the whistle for half time as both teams retired to their rest arena for a brief talk with their respective coaches. I followed up with the team knowing I'll be substituted few minutes into the second half. So my presence would be necessary for change of tactics and formation, if any. Our default formation has always been 4-2-1-3.
SECOND HALF BEGINS.
Around the 57th minute I was substituted in for our already exhausted left wing forward but I was given the directive to play as the attacking midfielder since we deployed to 3-5-1-1 for a massive attack and defensive game. We were repeatedly pressurized by our opponent till our defensive line was brought down like the wall of Jericho and our opponent celebrated their first goal from a square played pass that was jabbed into our goalpost. In the 79th minute came the equalizer for my team after I headed home a glorious cross from our right back(RB).
We are back in the game I said softly, trying to catch my breath after the goal celebration. It wasn't long, my joy was cut short after as the referee gave a penalty against us for a rough tackle from the defender. The penalty was taken but was saved by the keeper but then there was an own goal. yea, I scored an own goal. As the goal keeper punched out the ball for further clearance, it headed towards me. As I advanced to make the clearance, there was a little body contact from an opponent who was also trying to have a rebound. With the contact, I lost balance and positioning yet I was able to clear the ball but instead of heading towards the corner line or throw in, it went straight into the goal post. Alarmed, I started blaming the dude who caused the penalty but deep down within me I felt like a loser. I was in pain, anguish as I have just "shattered my pride". I felt my eyes were bulging out, my hands trembling as my feet became as heavy as an elephant while the whole universe was turning upside down. How will I face my street fans if I get home just to tell them I built their hope and destroyed it. it was an awkward moment for me.
Our fate hasn't yet been sealed as we'll be playing our last game against Mozilla UTD. If they win, its a goodbye thingy for us and if Back street FC wins River belt FC, its a further goodbye. All we need is a win to skyrocket to the qualifying stage.
I wonder what word of encouragement would lift me off this uncomfortable impropriety. well This has been on my mind since that very minute;
"I still have the power to rewrite the fate of Rising Star FC. The hard work and determination is what is needed."
Thanks For Reading...
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