Football is a game of passion. Of devotion. Of commitment. Its a game of two- sides, two halves, and two teams. A tale of differing perspectives, differing plots and stories. But rarely, it is a game of many chances. A chance rarely re-manifests during the 90 mins on the pitch.
However, chance is never equal among players. Among the twenty-two players on the field, only two place their body, reputation, and glory on the firing line to chance more than any other. They could be the hardest hit, yet be their key to glory. For the men filling between the sticks, chance is next to everything.
As some would say 'luck goes to those whom deserve'. 'Luck is engineered by design'. Goalkeepers, i would like to point out, deserve the engineered luck by design of the whole team. by design of the defence.
----------------------------------The Match-------------------------------------
The match itself started late (again) and kicked off approximately at 0920hrs. With one man down initially (no prizes for guessing the latecomers) we played a 4-4-1 formation.
GK) Wilson
RB) Rahman
LB) Es
CB) Mustaqium
CB) Mustakim
RM) Shafiq
LM) Farhan
CM) Azhari
CM) Rafeeq
CF) Kelvin
Sub) Azman
Azmi
Though things do not look well considering that the opposition looked fitter, bigger than most of us, the game did not swing too heavily giving momentum to either side. However, both teams looked equally eager and hungry for the win.
Both teams locked horns and the midfield lines of both sides looked to be intertwined causing relatively little space for any breathing on the ball. It was hasty, scrappy play from both sides as either side struggled to break free. However, it took no more than a dazzling display of determination and grit from our striker to force in the opener, humiliating three in the process with a grossly condescending 'ole' to each one of them.
However, we lacked the tenacity in concentration as the defence failed to track a hopeful punt forward for the opposing winger to squeeze and dart his way past the defence. Making no mistake, he lofted the ball towards the far end of the post. It was a good finish.
The game threatened to boil as tackles were flying everywhere, from all sorts of angles, and sometimes at the most obscene of times. Late tackles were not appreciated by some. i certainly don't. The half ended with a yellow on each team, Rafeeq being on the receiving end for our team, penalised for a threatening gesture while the opposing had one for a challenge on me outside the box.
The second half started with the opposition being more determined to go for the winner. Good goalkeeping though thwarted them, like we were when the goalkeeper managed to push the ball away from Syafiq to prevent him from going past. Though he was clean in this challenge this time around, he wasn't in the subsequent time when he lunged a late, clumsy challenge on Syafiq. Things werent pretty on our side either as Azhari made bruising challenge for a 50-50. That time, the whole game stopped for a moment and gasped in horror. (though it wasnt as bad as Kelvin's challenge some weeks back, which borders on homicide). Each team tried to stamp on their physical presence during the game.
In the end, no one could break the dead-lock in the second half. chances come begging at times to be taken swiftly, but somehow it just seems that everyone in the team was being goal-shy. No one wants to take the responsibility to shoot. No one wants to design, nor engineer any chance. Even if they wanted to, it was going to be difficult.
However, the team worked well to help cover for any gaps exploited by the opposition. Even more comforting are the rallying cries of a selectable few, "DON'T LOSE GUYS!". Perhaps then. But for now, we must modify our rallying cry to "Lets Snatch This guys".
Though we are on an undefeated streak, it must be noted that it does not cry any louder than our WINLESS streak.
Rahman.