So many differences. So many languages, religions, colors,
regions and people all over the world. But it needs only one ball to bring all
of them together. Its four years since the last time the world woke up to see
away all those differences for a period of 1 month once again. And no matter how
much you try to slander it, how you try to include your stories of scams and
scandals and oppression and exploitation into it, the fact remains, that it’s
the worlds’ biggest sporting event, and it is here upon us, now!
The funny thing is, that only 32 countries from a possible
200 odd represent themselves in the championship. But I am sure that all over
the world, people may they be Indians or Egyptians or Mongolians or Chinese
know and associate themselves with a team they want to support. And for that
matter, it doesn’t even matter if the country they support has some emotional
bond that they associate themselves with, it just needs one or two of their
most favorite players and bam, there go the 1000s of bucks in buying jerseys and
flags and cleats of the team they want to support.
The competition or the competition winner doesn’t bring any
glory or monetary gain for the supporter. On the contrary, all it does is it
wastes his/ her time which he/ she would in all probability have had spent with
his loved ones. It makes him spend loads of money on random shit which he/ she
may not even want. But it’s the whole passion which drives the game, and that
is something far more important than all other petty things. And then, for a
cup which comes in for 30 days after a time gap of 1300 odd days, I think it is
totally worth it.
I don’t mean to defame any other sporting event, specially
the World Series and the Super Bowl and the NBA whatever, but this is how a
world cup should be. It should be a cup wherein most of the world represents
itself, and the others draw associations with the sport in some good way. It
should make up a sample of the people from all around the world. And it needs to
be broadcasted all around the world too, and that too by demand, not by force.
To put numbers into perspective, the FIFA 2010 world cup was watched by atleast
3.2 billion people in the world (for atleast one minute), making up a whopping
46% of the population of the world. Compared to this, the super-bowl was
watched by 110 million people all over the world. If you just want to compare
apples with apples, the world cup final was watched by around 1 billion people.
And yes, in a way I do mean to defame the other games!
One good thing about the World Cup is that it comes once in
4 years. It’s a good thing because you get to build up the excitement about it.
Players thrive to represent their nation at the cup finals. And if at all he is
injured, he has to wait another 4 years, which probably shatters most of his
dreams of ever getting to do what he likes to do most.
And this time, with the competition in Brazil, I think it doesn't
need anything more to be said. The football capital of the world, Brazil
represents a people so madly in love with football, that for them, and for so
many others outside Brazil all over the world, it is the Mecca of football.
Thousands will get on planes and fly to Brazil in a hope to catch the madness
of the games, and the others will sulk away at home, whilst trying to catch a
glimpse of the people they know in the stands.
The world cup does so much more than just the 90 minutes.
The amount of money, blood, sweat being put into it is humongous. Nike always
brings out the best in the advertisements, with the best players in the world
representing a part of a dreamy day tournament, all together playing in one
team. Sports bars and sports joints suddenly shoot up their businesses, while companies
show the lowest productivity ever, thanks to people watching the games during
the work hours, while others write blogs and bits about the same. For a person
like me, I just can’t think of anything else at the moment, and I burst with
excitement whenever there is some news about any team in the tournament.
I love Football, I love the world cup, I love the excitement
it brings along with it, and I love and live to be associated with football any
and every moment of my life. Since the start of this year, when the build up
and the count down to the games started, I have on my part done so many things
just for football. We at our work place have ordered a television specially to
show the games on a big screen TV. We have got together to play fantasy games
to bet on winners as part of the fun during the games. We play foosball, we
play futsal, we play football. I learn, I coach and I join random groups of
people, sometimes driving upto 40 miles alternate days just to play the damn
game!
For a person like me, who dreams of football all 365 days,
this is a dream come true. It’s the first world cup I am going to experience
when all the resources, time, money and freedom are within my own clutches, and
I am going to make the most of it. I have been playing for a long time now, and
to me, this is the religion I want to follow. I have often heard of people
saying that for them, football is a religion. And yea, with religion, you
always have a good side and a dirty side. But when a religion is so wide
spread, so lenient, and so very fun loving, and when all you need to follow
that religion is a ball, it takes no Einstein to say why it is followed by about
50% of the world population. Nothing in my life has ever broken barriers of
every kind other than a black and white patched football, and if ever you feel
the need to communicate with someone else, take a ball along, and notice the change
in demeanor instantly. You can talk, hug and drink and chit chat with the
randomest person ever, thanks to football. And for this and so much more, I
salute this game.
No more wives, no more work, no more girlfriends for a
period of 31 days. Football is here, so save us from lying, and if you find our
phones switched off, unanswered or otherwise, please do not mind. Everything
else is secondary, because it is here and it is now. For the Neymars and the Ronaldos
and the Messis and the Suarezs and the Gerrards, go out there, and get your
minds blown..
Ever wondered how it feels to be really passionate about
something? Ever know how it feels to see the ship you build sinking away, and
to feel helpless all along while you see it go down? Ever felt that you really
need to go out there, lift those heavy logs, give your part of strength, time,
so that you could be the architect of that change? Ever know how it feels after
the storm has passed away? If yes, then which side were you on, the side where
you felt proud of yourself, that you could make your impression in some small
way, to bring about a change, a change which you so desperately needed to see?
Or were you on that other side, where you were again just that mere spectator
of the things going on, and you were helpless and are still now?
I have myself been in both situations a lot of times, more
so on the wrong side than the right one. These things usually strike you when
you are sitting alone, wondering what the heck is going on, and then suddenly
out of nowhere, you see that far away light, a light which makes you believe in
life again. Somehow, you feel energized, you feel you are the one who has been
sent down to bring about that one change, which will totally create a new
system in which there will be nothing wrong ever. But alas, that is only a
dream. You are shaken back to reality the moment you see it all happen, and you
feel like you could have done so much, but you did nothing, once again as always!
Given all this, I still feel that there are times when we do
get that instant feeling that well, wow, look what I did! Maybe it’s not you
who did it completely, and may be its not the way you exactly planned it out to
be too, but still it gives you a sense of pride! And I am happy to feel so
today, cause I feel I lived that feeling just a few days back.
If you follow this regularly, then you know that I have been
coaching a kids team recently. Its nothing much, but it does help me stay
connected to the game, and it gives a new dimension to the game. It helps me
nurture myself as a player and a person too. So it is totally worth it. At
times, it makes you want to bang your head against the wall, at times, it
catches you off-guard, and sometimes, it is just another beautiful feeling
(which come by so rare now a days).
So it went on this way. I have been working with these kids
for 8 weeks now, and now I am in a good
rapport with them. They too are their own usual selves around me, so the
initial fear on both sides is a little low now. I know what I can expect from
them, they know what they want for themselves, so it is working well. The
motion is a lot smoother now, than what it was for the first two weeks!
We haven’t been having the best of seasons, as far as
scoring goes, but we are still doing really well, thanks to some great improvement
on some kid’s parts. They are now more focused while playing, and enjoy a lot
during the whole game. They have started understanding and appreciating the
game, both as a player and as a substitute, which I feel is a very big
achievement. They can correctly point out to the errors they are making. And
accepting the error as we all know, is half the battle won!
Improvements come in the form of dedication, understanding,
respecting and enjoying the game. And I feel really good about the fact that I do
have some role (even if it’s a very small role) to play in all this.
So as always, our match commenced, and we started the game.
The scoring is usually not a big factor. But I like to see that you give your
100 percent to whatever you always are supposed to do. I often get angered or
troubled by the fact that something’s sometimes are taken too lightly, and this
doesn’t go well with me. Inspite of knowing that scoring is not adhered to, we
all know that subconsciously, we always have that going on. And this happens to
everyone, even to the players on the field. So by half time, I found myself
with a team 0-6 down. And I don’t know why, but I was really pissed with the
way my boys were performing. Now I was supposed to keep it down, but I couldn't and my half time talk was a little hot and angered. I tried to control, but I couldn't. And this kind of stuff doesn’t happen a lot to me, I mean, like one
of my player rightly pointed out to me while I was giving my angered talk
(actually it so happened, that I told them all to drop all their half time
snacks and come immediately to me, cause I needed to talk to them. One of the
kids asked me, are you angry? I said well yea, I am. Aren’t you? And he said
no, it’s just a game! And bewildered as I was, I realized too that well yea, it
is just a game!). Why then was I so angry? I was angry not because of the score line, but the way
they reacted to the score. There was a possible lack of interest about their
whole demeanor. And like I said, I just hate this behavior, wherein there is no
passion within you to prove anything at all in the thing you are doing. Atleast
try your best, and go down trying, but atleast give it your best?
And hence, I didn’t stop myself. I made it clear what I
wanted, I made it clear that this is certainly not how I want the team to play.
I said I will make big changes, but it won’t help, cause it is not that you
guys don’t have it in you, its just that you don’t want to. So go out there and
play your hearts out, before complaining that you are losing every game! I had
lost it, and I could feel eyes on me, trying to question what I was doing. I
gave them a hard talk, a little animated, a little agitated. And they got no
rest, cause I went to one on ones after this. No one got a compliment (maybe
this was wrong, but I was really worked up). And soon enough, the whistle went
off for the second half.
And in a space of two minutes, I could feel the difference.
I could feel the life in each of them, trying to prove themselves. I was really
proud that even if not long lasting, they were somehow reacting to something. I
don’t care if it was my speech, or something they felt on their own, but they
were delivering. Throughout the full half, I didn’t make a single comment,
other than substituting the kids once in a while. At the end, the score stood
at 4-6. We lost, but we fought hard, and we fought well. And it was my proudest
moment to see my kids come out with heads held high. I think such defeats are
sweeter than insane victories. I think it makes you happier, and helps you
understand the struggle part of every battle you fight. It helps you understand
your own faults, look into yourself, change/ tweak a few things here and there
(mainly the attitude) and then see the change for yourself.
There are times when you want to know what you are all
about, just for your own confirmation, just for your own proof, and I think
this one surely counts as one of mine!
I have contemplated on this either ways. I always was of the
opinion that one doesn't need a coach to make it far in any field. What you
need is willingness from within yourself. And a desire to win at all costs. I
think more of it is in this desire, and most people lack this. And coaching is
more about bringing out this best in you. But if you can manage it yourself, I
think you don’t need someone tutoring you.
Why then are coaches in demand? Why do we as humans always
need an eye on us to keep us motivated? Why can’t we just realize what is good
for us, and build on that? Why do we need a third person telling us everything?
I was so very against taking help, getting coached in
anything, that I believed that if someone else can do it, I should be able to
do so too. And I did my efforts to reach there. Maybe the efforts were totally focused,
but whatever I gave, I gave more than a hundred percent to everything I was in.
And as it turns, I fared fairly well. I say fairly, for a reason. My
opposition to getting coached stunted some nuances which would make my effort
totally worth the input.
As we grow older, some of our inhibitions change, (while
some new ones crop up, but that isn't the point here). We realize what we
missed out, and how taking up certain things would have helped. But well, it is
never late is it?
When you start helping someone else in something they
consider you are good at, is the time you realize that well, maybe you could
have had your model to learn from too. And you wonder why did you not think
about it earlier? Sitting outside is by all means no easy, and as a teacher,
you often have to put yourself in that seat. You have to sit outside, see
others make mistakes, and fight with yourself to let it go. Mistakes are meant
to happen, and while you are in it, it is hard to not commit them. Be it a
result of lack of time to think, or just something you had no idea of.
But somehow, when you start putting yourself in the same
seat, you start realizing how and where are mistakes committed.
Let us fast forward now, since I am taking the above
conversation to no end. As most of the bright amongst you must have realized, I
am talking about football (soccer for the more westernized among you).
Just a week back, I started my stint at coaching young kids
some football. It has been a long standing dream for me, and as things stand,
this is the best time to make good of that dream. I always wanted to go out
there, form a league of enthusiastic teams, and play some good regulated
football. I wanted to go out there, and revive that fighting spirit we have in
each of us. Many of us go and do something for the sake of it, but there has to
be that beacon lit up within us, that if we are doing a certain thing, we have
to be the best at it. And somehow, as a coach, you can challenge yourself to
achieve that within the players out there. Ultimately it is not always the
quality which stands out, but it’s more of this spirit which we see reflected
in the final result.
At every moment, you want to excel at what you do. If you
can do that, then yes, you are a winner no matter what the outcome is.
Coaching is a lot like watching a game on the television.
Remember how you always sit in front of the box and yell out when someone
commits a mistake. It’s like you want to go out there, and tell them a thing or
two of your own, cause you have seen the mistake happening and you know why it
happened. It’s not like the person who committed it doesn’t know. It’s just
that when you go out there, you make mistakes inspite of knowing everything. And
you as a coach are just expected to reduce these mistakes in your team.
Is it necessary that you have to know the game really well
to be a good coach? Well not necessarily. Atleast I don’t think that is a very
important factor (although yes, you do need some basic knowledge). I think the
most important characteristic I would like to see in any mentor is a way to
reach out to you. Often we meet people all around us who are always giving
advice, no matter you ask for it or not. But there are a few whom we hold
close, and whom we revere and listen to no matter what. We don’t tell them so,
but yes, we do try to emulate and take the advice for good. If you can get a
coach to reach out to all his players or pupils, you have a very good mentor at
hand.
That was all about coaches in general. What do I like about
it? Well yes, I love working with kids. I think the reason why I took up this
act is more so cause I want to go out there and make a change. It was my dream
(And is still is) to buy a nice plot for a good 7 on 7 game of football, and
grow a nice turf on it, and have a competitive league played there through the
year. And the best people to work with is small kids. For the one very big
reason, that they bring the best out in you. You laugh over their silly
behavior, and maybe get exasperated over their antics, but you love them no
matter what. They are innocent, they are untarnished, and they never play any
sort of fake game with you. Things like honor, respect, mind games have still
not penetrated into these minds, and you get the response of what it would be
in a world full of honesty. All this apart from the fact that they are the
cutest and the most adorable beings in the world.
Understanding a kid is very important. And you always feel
that you are the one teaching them to grow up. I often think of it the other
way round. I think they are teaching us how to be young. I think that is one of
the best feelings in the world. You have to go young and innocent and carefree
to get their approval. And once in that mode, you start enjoying a lot since it
feels good to be that person. It’s what you always wanted to be, but couldn’t thanks
to the horrible things going around in the world. A kid will never stop himself/
herself from doing a thing, just because it won’t get approved. And he/ she
will never do it just over some earthly material thing. They can’t always give
you the reason, but they are very innocent in their approach and very bold in
their stance.
Another thing is they like you for what you are. They have
no expectations, expect for the fact that they should have fun. If they are not
having fun, they let you know that as well. I think you yourself start
improving as soon as you come in contact with these kids. They teach you how
humans are meant to be, how beautiful a world it is when there is no guile or
treachery and how you can mix up and match up with any other person, barring
all the hurdles of language, religion, color. All you need is fun people around
you, and you shall be good to go.
Often I like to quote the phrase “Football is a religion”. I
talk about football, cause it has helped me know people I would never have
ventured out to know in the first place. It has always given me the best. My
friends, my job, my success and for many, a way to know and link me with. I
want this network to grow a lot, since it is one I can build on very easily. I
like how easy it is to walk up to a stranger and just ask his/her name when you
go out there to play. It becomes so easy. You forget your inhibitions, your
weird ideas and thoughts, for the sole reason that you just want to be a part
of the game they are in. I think this is what I have learnt from playing
football for so many years. And this is what I would like to teach to those
young kids. That no matter where you are, however lonely you are, if you walk
out there on a small stretch of land, with a football in your hand, 10 people
will join in in less than 5 minutes to start a game off. You needn't know their
names, their backgrounds or where they come from. You don’t need to meet them
again. You can just have the best hour of your life and you won’t ever regret
it.
To me, my best achievement will be to go out, and bring
people together over some reason. And if its football, it would be even better!
:)
I have often wondered how team games like Cricket or Football or Hockey work. Or for that matter any team game. Every player has a role to play. You can be a bowler or a wicketkeeper or a batsman if we consider cricket. You have a defined role. A bowler opens the bowling attack, and is supposed to pick up early wickets. A batsman on the other hand is supposed to make use of the conditions and score quickly to set up a good total.
Or for that matter even in Football. A defender, is supposed to clear the ball if it comes in his half, and a striker is supposed to put those half chances to full use. A defender should give up his excitement of going forward, and trying to score. He should not give in to his instincts of trying to do skills. He should have a no nonsense approach to his game. The mid fielders get to flaunt these skills and can be showy in their game.
All in all, I don’t think you get to show case all your talents on the pitch.
Another thing is that in cricket, it hardly so happens that a bowler gets a man of the match. It is always the batsmen who walk away with this prestigious prize. A bowler can take 3 wickets, but it's still not enough in front of the 70 odd made by the batsman. Why is this so? Isn’t the bowler doing his job of taking the wickets? If it's a high scoring game, the batsman who scored the century gets the prize. If it's a low scoring game, the batsman who lasted and scored that winning run in a nail biting finish gets the prize. If the first side scores a huge total. And the second side get out at a low score, it is always said that the team lost because they crumbled to the pressure of the score. Never is it said that some good bowling did the trick. It's unfair on the part of the bowler, he always sees a Sachin walk up to the podium to collect the trophy. Hardly ever is he called up.
In every team game, I think it's a collective effort. I agree that some matches have their own heroes, but most of the times, it is because every man does his job. If a striker scores a hat trick, it's all due to the feeders, else he would have nowhere.
It’s the same everywhere. In a company, the profit all goes to the owner, but it's those small things which every person does behind the screen, that all things happen so smoothly. In all things, it's a collective effort. A stage performance, a concert, a get together of friends. Even a party. A trip. It's all because every person contributes in his her own special way. We may not be able to applaud every person, but never forget to acknowledge the effort. Every person counts. Every small deed helps. Every small effort pays. It may be small, but it makes a difference! Always remember, alone, you can do nothing. You can accomplish nothing. A family, a group. Anywhere. All are necessary so that every person is in his her right state of mind. A husband cannot blame his wife for not contributing to the house income. She has her assigned task, appreciate that. Nor does it work the other way. Look into yourself, and always work selflessly. Cause every small bit you do helps you eventually. Always keep your calm, and do everything without expectations. Your effort pays off, even if not appreciated. But one day, you will feel the need for something small someone always did, and then you will realize how important that person was. It's a team effort always.
You need everyone. Everyone needs you. Life is a game. Play your role. And expect the others to do the same. It's no one’s fault if on a given day, the striker doesn’t score. There is always the next game. But just cause the striker didn’t score, don’t forget to clear that ball off the line, else you not only don’t score, but also concede, and lose the game. Keep your team mates together, it will benefit you a lot in the long run.
As a player you relish every opportunity to play, and maybe showcase your skills and talents. Or even to just put up a show. Either good or bad. And since the opportunities aren’t many, you relish the ones you get very fondly. Since the onset of the 4 year degree course, I have taken part in many events to just get the feel of playing an organized match. And let me tell you, its awesome! The very thought of playing in front of a crowd, while you are playing in the centre, its just too good! Ofcourse, not always can you put up a great show, but then there are these moments that you feel, well, you own them. That they are totally yours, that you made them happen. And in the maybe 30-40 odd matches I have been involved in, I do have some fond memories. I am not retiring or giving up my play but just felt that I had to write about this, maybe just for myself, so that later on I can remember this time and relive it. Sadly, I don’t have photos or videos of the same, but well, I will try to create a picture nonetheless.
The one thing about football I love is that there are so many tournaments, and that its such a quick game, and is so very widely accepted, that you are recognized everywhere you go. And then there are so many forms of the same game, with the full game with 11 players a side, the 7 a side, the 6 a side, the 3 a side, that you have live matches going on always. Ofcourse, its not possible to participate in all, but we did try our best to gather our finest for most events. And football being a team event, you have to be careful in picking your team-mates too, since a lone one man show being put up is rare, and you have to co-ordinate and synchronize to bring the best out from the team.
Well, so ya, it was the final year, and the last three years, we hadn’t managed to bring together a formidable team. We always tried to get the best together, but somehow something always changed right at the end, and we had to reconsider the team.
It was the 6 a side tournament in PVG, one of the best I played in so far. Great atmosphere, great ground, great teams, great organization. All in all the perfect conditions one can ask for. We had finally got our mathematics right, and had put up the best team, with the likes of Amey Jundare, Alhad Sapre, Pushkar Paranjape, Rohan Soman, Sohan Tawde, Kaustubh Surdi, Advait Vaidya, Vidish Paradkar and me. I guess this was the best of the best ever. And we had very high hopes, because this time it all started well in advance, unlike our other times, when we literally called up people at the last moment, and then ran over to play the game.
We had two practice sessions, that too on hard court, and that itself was so much fun. And we had recognized that well, where all can we play our players and how to go about the tournament. Till then, we had never ever passed the 2nd round, and this time we had high hopes from ourselves. And the usually relaxed and disinterested public showed lot of enthusiasm. So it was all looking bright for our team.
We reached the ground as decided and were happy to see that the usual set up was in store, and it was going to be one awesome match. We went to the desk, registered our team and then enquired about our opponents. And it was the biggest shock, cause we were pitted against the best team in Pune, with 3 players who are known to wreck havoc everywhere they go against their opponents. And suddenly the air got warm, and the happy faces wore a forlorn look, as the team members came to know about this. But well, as it stood, there was no getting out of this, and we had to face this. So well then, here we were. It was like kind of accepted that we will lose the match, so that way we had nothing to lose. We all huddled up for our pre match talk, and we were laughing at our plight in a way. But then, since we had nothing to lose, we said, well, lets show them, what we are. It was sort of a lame sentence in such a situation, maybe like trying to challenge a lion with bare hands. But there was no other way to escape. So well, we cheered ourselves up, and went ahead into the field.
Ironically, we had the maximum support, and a lot of people whom I know will never ever come to witness a match, had gathered together to see us play. Well, I guess it was like people had come to see us off for the last time. It was very funny in a way, and I was kind of laughing at times. But well, being as senior player as everyone, we had to do what we had to do.
We lined up, with Rohan in between the sticks, Ameya and Advait at the back, me in the centre, and Sohan and Kaustubh at the forward. We started with the whole crowd cheering for us, and it was a great feeling. It was like 2-3 mintutes in the game, and we got the first taste of what we had to endure in the match. Their players, more specifically their forward was bursting down the middle, and taking such monstrous shots that it was quite certain that we could hold on for long. But we were playing our hearts out, and I don’t know if I have ever concentrated so much, shouted so much, run so much, defended so well, without any other thought entering my mind. And I could see the same commitment in everyone’s eyes. It was a great feeling. Rohan was pulling off saves after saves, and maybe for the first time, we were in awe of his goal keeping skills. Advait with his strength was keeping their striker (a big huge person himself) under control. We were hardly going forward, but whatever we did, we tried our best. They were controlling the whole game, the whole pace of it, and it was hard to not falter. But like iron men, we stood, not letting one mistake pass by us. Then as 10 minutes passed, a mistake, and bam, a goal. The whole crowd went oohhhhhhhh…!!! And thought, that well, now the flood gates are going to open. We to had a ill feeling, but didn’t let it show. 2 minutes later, 2 more shots, one hitting the post, one turned over for a corner. Our defenses were falling apart. But we held on, nonetheless. We remained strong, not letting anything else in the world affect us. And then it happened. A shot, it got blocked by me somehow, I cleared it, Alhad flicked it on, it fell at our strikers feet (Tawde), and he volleyed it past their keeper. No one in their wildest imagination hadn’t imagined this. Not even us, and the goal sort of brought us all back to life. We suddenly saw hope again. The whole crowd was cheering us again, and it felt that well, we can do it…!!! The 25 minutes of the half passed, in tense and exciting atmosphere. And we all came outside for a breather. People were coming over, patting us on our backs for keeping so strong at the back. We cheered ourselves up, we were already so pumped up. Our subs were rolling in and out through the half, namely, Alhad, Vidish and Pushkar. The second half started, and we were again on our backfeet. Defending like crazy, and attacking when we could hold on to the ball. We had two three chances through the match, other than that, it was nothing. Like it was decided, I went a little ahead, to catch them in the centre itself, and was quite successful in holding them till the centre itself. But not for long, as the shots kept coming, and Rohan kept parrying them away. We were just clearing the ball away whenever we saw as much as even an inch of the ball, in any damn direction. It was already 15 minutes up in the second half, and we could see the desperation on the opponents faces. Then a corner, and three back to back shots rained on our goal, with the first two getting blocked by our defenders, and the last a reflex strong hand save from Rohan. It was awesome to see the turn of events. I was already getting tired, as I was tailing their playmaker everywhere and asked for a quick sub. 2 minutes left, and it was all looking like we were heading for a penalty shootout. And then suddenly the world came crashing, as a shot from their striker found a way to the back of the net. It was as if someone had shown us the best dream, and snatched it away as soon as we had started to think that maybe, this will turn out to be true. The goal went in, and the whole crowd was like oooohhhhhhhhhhhh again..!!! The match resumed, and the final whistle blew almost immediately. Final score 1-2. But the faces of the opposition said it all. It was a relief more than a victory feeling on their faces. Never had I seen any of our players play with so much heart and so much commitment than in this match. But it was worth it, just to see that look on the oppositions faces. It made our day, and we were like we had won the trophy!
The opposite team went on to win the cup, and on their way, thrashed around teams with 3-4 goal margins. But never did they come so close than what they faced in the first round. Something which maybe they never expected.
It is always said that victory is sweet, but for us all, that match, despite the loss, was one of the best things ever happening on the field. I have played many matches, but yes, this remains among the top most. And surely the best in which we have lost! You had to be there to feel the heat, the desire and the tension in the eyes of everyone to know how it felt!
The one thing about football I love is that there are so many tournaments, and that its such a quick game, and is so very widely accepted, that you are recognized everywhere you go. And then there are so many forms of the same game, with the full game with 11 players a side, the 7 a side, the 6 a side, the 3 a side, that you have live matches going on always. Ofcourse, its not possible to participate in all, but we did try our best to gather our finest for most events. And football being a team event, you have to be careful in picking your team-mates too, since a lone one man show being put up is rare, and you have to co-ordinate and synchronize to bring the best out from the team.
Well, so ya, it was the final year, and the last three years, we hadn’t managed to bring together a formidable team. We always tried to get the best together, but somehow something always changed right at the end, and we had to reconsider the team.
It was the 6 a side tournament in PVG, one of the best I played in so far. Great atmosphere, great ground, great teams, great organization. All in all the perfect conditions one can ask for. We had finally got our mathematics right, and had put up the best team, with the likes of Amey Jundare, Alhad Sapre, Pushkar Paranjape, Rohan Soman, Sohan Tawde, Kaustubh Surdi, Advait Vaidya, Vidish Paradkar and me. I guess this was the best of the best ever. And we had very high hopes, because this time it all started well in advance, unlike our other times, when we literally called up people at the last moment, and then ran over to play the game.
We had two practice sessions, that too on hard court, and that itself was so much fun. And we had recognized that well, where all can we play our players and how to go about the tournament. Till then, we had never ever passed the 2nd round, and this time we had high hopes from ourselves. And the usually relaxed and disinterested public showed lot of enthusiasm. So it was all looking bright for our team.
We reached the ground as decided and were happy to see that the usual set up was in store, and it was going to be one awesome match. We went to the desk, registered our team and then enquired about our opponents. And it was the biggest shock, cause we were pitted against the best team in Pune, with 3 players who are known to wreck havoc everywhere they go against their opponents. And suddenly the air got warm, and the happy faces wore a forlorn look, as the team members came to know about this. But well, as it stood, there was no getting out of this, and we had to face this. So well then, here we were. It was like kind of accepted that we will lose the match, so that way we had nothing to lose. We all huddled up for our pre match talk, and we were laughing at our plight in a way. But then, since we had nothing to lose, we said, well, lets show them, what we are. It was sort of a lame sentence in such a situation, maybe like trying to challenge a lion with bare hands. But there was no other way to escape. So well, we cheered ourselves up, and went ahead into the field.
Ironically, we had the maximum support, and a lot of people whom I know will never ever come to witness a match, had gathered together to see us play. Well, I guess it was like people had come to see us off for the last time. It was very funny in a way, and I was kind of laughing at times. But well, being as senior player as everyone, we had to do what we had to do.
We lined up, with Rohan in between the sticks, Ameya and Advait at the back, me in the centre, and Sohan and Kaustubh at the forward. We started with the whole crowd cheering for us, and it was a great feeling. It was like 2-3 mintutes in the game, and we got the first taste of what we had to endure in the match. Their players, more specifically their forward was bursting down the middle, and taking such monstrous shots that it was quite certain that we could hold on for long. But we were playing our hearts out, and I don’t know if I have ever concentrated so much, shouted so much, run so much, defended so well, without any other thought entering my mind. And I could see the same commitment in everyone’s eyes. It was a great feeling. Rohan was pulling off saves after saves, and maybe for the first time, we were in awe of his goal keeping skills. Advait with his strength was keeping their striker (a big huge person himself) under control. We were hardly going forward, but whatever we did, we tried our best. They were controlling the whole game, the whole pace of it, and it was hard to not falter. But like iron men, we stood, not letting one mistake pass by us. Then as 10 minutes passed, a mistake, and bam, a goal. The whole crowd went oohhhhhhhh…!!! And thought, that well, now the flood gates are going to open. We to had a ill feeling, but didn’t let it show. 2 minutes later, 2 more shots, one hitting the post, one turned over for a corner. Our defenses were falling apart. But we held on, nonetheless. We remained strong, not letting anything else in the world affect us. And then it happened. A shot, it got blocked by me somehow, I cleared it, Alhad flicked it on, it fell at our strikers feet (Tawde), and he volleyed it past their keeper. No one in their wildest imagination hadn’t imagined this. Not even us, and the goal sort of brought us all back to life. We suddenly saw hope again. The whole crowd was cheering us again, and it felt that well, we can do it…!!! The 25 minutes of the half passed, in tense and exciting atmosphere. And we all came outside for a breather. People were coming over, patting us on our backs for keeping so strong at the back. We cheered ourselves up, we were already so pumped up. Our subs were rolling in and out through the half, namely, Alhad, Vidish and Pushkar. The second half started, and we were again on our backfeet. Defending like crazy, and attacking when we could hold on to the ball. We had two three chances through the match, other than that, it was nothing. Like it was decided, I went a little ahead, to catch them in the centre itself, and was quite successful in holding them till the centre itself. But not for long, as the shots kept coming, and Rohan kept parrying them away. We were just clearing the ball away whenever we saw as much as even an inch of the ball, in any damn direction. It was already 15 minutes up in the second half, and we could see the desperation on the opponents faces. Then a corner, and three back to back shots rained on our goal, with the first two getting blocked by our defenders, and the last a reflex strong hand save from Rohan. It was awesome to see the turn of events. I was already getting tired, as I was tailing their playmaker everywhere and asked for a quick sub. 2 minutes left, and it was all looking like we were heading for a penalty shootout. And then suddenly the world came crashing, as a shot from their striker found a way to the back of the net. It was as if someone had shown us the best dream, and snatched it away as soon as we had started to think that maybe, this will turn out to be true. The goal went in, and the whole crowd was like oooohhhhhhhhhhhh again..!!! The match resumed, and the final whistle blew almost immediately. Final score 1-2. But the faces of the opposition said it all. It was a relief more than a victory feeling on their faces. Never had I seen any of our players play with so much heart and so much commitment than in this match. But it was worth it, just to see that look on the oppositions faces. It made our day, and we were like we had won the trophy!
The opposite team went on to win the cup, and on their way, thrashed around teams with 3-4 goal margins. But never did they come so close than what they faced in the first round. Something which maybe they never expected.
It is always said that victory is sweet, but for us all, that match, despite the loss, was one of the best things ever happening on the field. I have played many matches, but yes, this remains among the top most. And surely the best in which we have lost! You had to be there to feel the heat, the desire and the tension in the eyes of everyone to know how it felt!
Well on a totally different thread. Euro 2008 Austria Switzerland is going to be one hell of a competition. Well, its bad enough though, that England hasn't qualified. In any case though, my support for the English team will be undying.
But taking into account the circumstances, I have to have a team to support for, in the upcoming games. Which undoubtedly will be Spain.
Spain have been underachievers in all competitions. And its time that they show the mettle they possess. And they have one heck of a team to bring about the results.
The Spanish individuals have been performing at their best levels wherever they are playing. With the likes of Fabregas, Torres, Reyes, Cassilas, Villa - who else do you want!!!
I think the Spanish will pose a formidable strength at this Euro. Ofcourse, time will tell...
Cassilas
Puyol
Ramos
Iniesta
Xavi
Alonso
Fabregas
Torres
Villa
Garcia
Reyes
Morientes
Raul
Krkic
are names you just cannot overlook....!!!
Hoping for the best results and a great game from these young talents...
But taking into account the circumstances, I have to have a team to support for, in the upcoming games. Which undoubtedly will be Spain.
Spain have been underachievers in all competitions. And its time that they show the mettle they possess. And they have one heck of a team to bring about the results.
The Spanish individuals have been performing at their best levels wherever they are playing. With the likes of Fabregas, Torres, Reyes, Cassilas, Villa - who else do you want!!!
I think the Spanish will pose a formidable strength at this Euro. Ofcourse, time will tell...
Cassilas
Puyol
Ramos
Iniesta
Xavi
Alonso
Fabregas
Torres
Villa
Garcia
Reyes
Morientes
Raul
Krkic
are names you just cannot overlook....!!!
Hoping for the best results and a great game from these young talents...
