The Game: 12/11/06

Although the coach was not here (or in the country for that matter), Anime did not disappoint their spectators today. the team did us proud with a 2-1 win, and a great game at that. One of the player's wife stood to watch the game, and watch her husband play goal keeper and coach. Would it be so terrible to say that he did a great job at both?

Today's game was played on grass, and an uneven and wet pitch at that. It was a little hard for the team to get their grip or footing as many of them had unfortunate (must remember to say "unlucky" to players when they slip and miss the ball) slips. However, they kept their balance, and found their footing as they sprinted up and down the pitch.

I managed to learn a new term by really paying attention to when it was used. I'd always heard the term "man-on" being used, just never understood what it meant. I realised it was being used to tell the player with the ball that a player from the opposing team was approaching them. I have only recently regained the confidence to cheer the players on individually, so whether i'll be able to shout "man-on" anytime soo is yet to be seen.

Ashitaka did not play this week, but it did not stop him from coming to watch the game, or the boys from scoring two glorious goals. Both Ryu and Ken did us proud with two beautiful and seemingly effortless goals. Although I can't remember who scored which goal, I do remember that at one point the goal keeper left the goal long and far enough for one of those boys to get it into the net. It was truly a fantastic goal. There is no real comparison to describe just what it's like to watch your player scoring a goal. Watching that person maneuver his way between the players while desperately (?) keeping hold onto the ball, your breath either caught in your throat or being used to cheer that person on. And when that ball crosses the line, under and between the poles, and you see that net shakes as the ball hits it, the explosion of adrenalin that hits you is truly delicious. One of the only times I will allow myself to look less lady-like and composed is when I celebrate one of their goals, my arms raised and screaming "Yes, yes, YES!" at the top of my lungs.

Guile surprised me a little this week. Off the pitch the man gives the impression that he's a very sweet, mild mannered man. On the pitch, he tends to show a more forceful, and now slightly brash side, which in itself is a good thing. However, I also feel that because he's getting more time on the pitch with the other players, he's starting to feel comfortable. He's working a lot better with the team. I find that he's definitely asserting himself more and gaining more confidence with his control over the ball. On the whole, I'm impressed at how comfortable he looks among the team.

The team they played this week is one they've played before. However, there was one player, #8, who constantly got on my nerves. I was told he was about 17 or 18, but his mentality proved to be that of an 8 year old who was told he was a prodigy and told to skip 2 grades at school. I found him to be arrogant and annoying. He allowed the other players (on and off the pitch) to wind him up about his age. He tried to make "witty" comments to his audience. Poor choice really as it was me and the goal keeper's wife. Apparently Deejay had been winding him up in his usual manner, by talking to them, never know about what, but he is very good at it. However, I felt this child lacked the maturity and thick skin it takes to be playing with men. If he was pushed to the ground, he never got back up (or didn't do it quick enough) and would wait for the referee to do something.

Speaking of the referee, I found him to be incredibly weak and generally poor judge of game. He only did anything if a player from either team kicked up a big enough fuss. I truly hope he doesn't referee another one of our games.

Poor Ehoba came to the game a bit hungover from a good night out. However, he played his best on the field. When he chased the ball as it was passed to him he obviously realised that it would go off the pitch before he could get to it, and let it pass the line. However, the opposing player who was following him didn't know what Ehoba was doing. To what I can guess, the player was trying to keep the ball on the pitch and kicked too enthusiastically and unfortunately his foot went too high and connected with Ehoba's face. The man stood there a couple of seconds with what could either be described as a dazed or stoney face, but I knew that it couldn't have felt good as I felt tears stinging MY eyes.

On a more cheeky note, Batou's old habits resurfaced. There were a couple of times when I was sure he'd get done or booked. At one point where his shoulder made contact with a player forcing him down. Because of his size (hence one of my reasons for calling him Batou), he made it look effortless, almost as if the player had run in to him! However, a couple, who were supporting the other team, were filming the game and caught it on camera. I was sure they were going to insist on looking at the video to prove what happened. This whole thing is not really objective, so I can say that a little giggle escaped my lips. In all honesty, the other player went down too easily.

Hmmm, I just hope this winning streak holds. I'm not sure if the coach will be back this weekend, but Kaji is in charge for the time being... this Sunday should be interesting.

Can There Be Too Much Football?

I've asked this question before, but never got the answer I wanted or an answer at all. Can there ever be such a thing as 'too much' football for a man? Is there ever a time when a man will throw his hands up and want to give up? When a man sees a football match on the television, the look of pure indulgence that comes over his face, the grin that reaches each ear...

I was never a great fan of football, that is until I understood the full importance of the World Cup and started supporting a couple of the teams, Italy mainly (when Dino Baggio was on the team along with Cannavaro before he became captain and was just a pretty face). I remember arguing with my dentist (a fellow female Italian fan - she's also half Italian) about which player was better. Of course, our debates were mainly based on looks than skill (she was a Paolo Maldini fan). However, once I started following Anime AFC I realised that I could appreciate the games during the 2006 World Cup. I was impressed by the tackles, instead of flinching at the brute force, and I could see how a good defence worked. In other words, I became more aware of the team and their skill, as well as their good looks (alright, so Buffoon and Materrazzi might not be all that good looking, but Luca Toni definitely has my vote).

Saying that, I don't necessarily watch other football matches, like premier leagues and so forth. That is unless I'm with my football team at the pub. After Anime play their matches, it is customary for the team to unwind in a local pub. In these pubs there is usually a television (sometimes more than one) showing a live match. A majority of the team (to my understanding) are Spurs fans, and the world will tend to stop to watch said team play. At the last game Anime played, the local pub the team went to had about 6 televisions. When we first entered the pub the match Arsenal vs. West Ham was playing. Half an hour after the game finish, another started, Spurs vs. Chelsea. During this time 3 screens were showing the Spurs game, while the other 3 showed the rugby game (New Zealand vs England). Although rugby is very different to football it doesnt rule out the fact that this pub was showing 3 games. What's more Anime were exposed to 4 games that day. It begs the question is it too much? And if not, what is? Can a man ever have enough football?

One day, a man shall answer me with more than a boyish grin and quiet shake of the head as in, "women will never get it."

The Game: 5/11/06

I don't think there is anything more worthy watching than seeing your team score a goal. It's just exciting and the only time you can act gracelessly by screaming out loud (or yelling in my case) and cheering those men on for scoring for your team. My team scored twice and managed to win the game with a score of 2-0. A lovely finale I must say.

It was definitely an interesting match. There were 3 substitutions during the game, but only in the second half, and late in the second half. I could understand why a couple of them were taken off (for instance Ota and Shinji - Shinji just made a return due to an injury he had). However, Batou was taken off, and I wasn't completely sure as to why. He played well and kept his position a lot.

The game was held in a park in south London, so it was on grass, and I have to say it really did help the team a lot. Whether they realise this or not I'm not sure. The first half of the game though, it took the team a while to get their act together. However, whenever I've seen their matches, generally the team usually do a lot better in the second half of a game. Is this a ploy on their part? Do they do this as their own kind of observation, to see how the opposing team play? Do they do this to get to know the other players and see if they've changed their tactics or gotten new ones? The first half was good, but in my opinion, if no goals are scored then it's not the best half.

Ryu, I have to say, is one who I enjoy watching. He does some very impressive moves with the ball. Last season I enjoyed watching how he'd dance around the field/pitch when he had control over the ball. For a man of his build, he is very good on his feet and definitely knows how to control a ball. He does something, which I've learnt in my research is called "showboating", but he's VERY good at it. The thing is, he's actually good at this on both grass and astro turf, now to see him score a bit more! Ashitaka is also one I enjoy watching, he is, as I affectionately called him, a male ballerina. His moves are graceful and he was fast. Not only that, but he can score. Unfortunately, I missed an earlier game where he scored a hat trick (3 goals in a row). However, I am determined to see him score and therefore am promising myself to continue to come to the games on time or not to miss too much from the first half. Guile is one that I have yet to make my mind on. While the man seems to be quite a machine, I have yet to see whether I like the way he moves. He doesn't seem to tackle as much as the others, yet he defends the goal well and shows to have a bit more speed and stamina than some. He rivals that of Deejay, who is without a doubt fast like a cheetah with the grace of a leopard. The man can move on a pitch, and he can hold his own when it comes to defending that goal. However, he's also managed to score a goal (or two?) during this season which I'm extremely proud of.

I was very impressed by Shinji's comeback as well. Shinji has always been entertaining to watch as I find him to be gifted with speed and a lightening quick temper (or at least back talk to the ref - which is always entertaining). However, although I haven't seen him play for a while because of his knee (?), he made a great comeback that day. Although he still isn't as fast as he used to be (completely understandable), he's still brilliant when he sprints after that ball.

Our team managed to get 3 yellow cards during the game. At this point in time, I still wonder whether it is really foolish to be proud of those three yellow cards, even now as I type in this entry there is a small beam of pride that shines through me as I remember them getting those yellow cards. Maybe it wasn't the act of them actually getting those yellow cards, but the grace and calmness with which they received them. The fact that they didn't get angry or argue with the referee (who in my opinion needed a kick up the back side or the head, which ever end he thinks with) as he made his judgment. Maybe it was that kind of pride watching them accept their mistake and not kicking up a fuss about it. However when a man on the opposing team received one (and deservedly so) I don't think a toddler could have done worse with the fuss and the tantrum the player held once receiving said card. Just goes to show that being able to accept your mistake and being penalised for it is all part of sportsmanship.

The Game: 29/10/06

I have watched this team play for a year now, this is my second season with the team. They have a couple of new players, but I am quiet famliar with the rest of the team. I don't know if my knowledge of the team can compensate for my lack of knowledge of the game though. I know a couple of the positions the players will have; goal keeper, striker, defenders. However, I have yet to completely understand what the other players do, what boundaries each player has and all the terms the coach and spectators seem to shout, "challenge", "time"...

Although I missed the first five minutes of the game (contrary to what the coach believes), I did not think that it was a particularly bad game. It was played against a team Anime AFC were confident could beat. However, we lost 3-2. the game was played on astroturf which makes it an articifical ground. I find the ball does not play well on that kind of surface as it tends to slip away easily from the players. Those players who usually have impressive footwork (I've named Ryu and Ashitaka) seem to lose the ball much more easily on this surface, than if they were to play on grass. However, the smooth and slippery surface on the ball does not allow the boys the freedom to control the ball as it picks up more speed on this surface.

However, the game got exciting as our team tried to score our third goal. As the 2 strikers tried repeatedly to get the ball past the keeper, I found myself getting into the game and shouted out "Come on!" to the players. It's been a while since I got into a game with similar spirit. When we were playing in Regents Park a couple of weeks ago, Ashitaka tried to score against the other team. I found myself loudly cheering my player on much to the surprise of the supporters of the opposing team. I sometimes wonder if my cheering merely serves as an equivilant to nails on a chalk board to the team as they play. Do they appreciate a lone female voice shouting and cheering while they are on the pitch? Are my exasperated "ref"'s justified? Are they appreciated? Or merely seen as "cute" coming from their fan?

Another question, after knowing the players for roughtly a year, do they really expect me to contribute to the analysis of the game? To give feedback on how well they played? Where they went wrong and so on? Would it be accepted? How seriously do they take me when I say I don't like the ref? How often can I use that comment before sounding like I don't know enough? However, would they actually accept it if I really had something to say about the way they played?

And so it begins...

OK, so this is not exactly a scientific study or recording of the Sunday league football team, but I have to admit, it just makes it easier to do this, to treat it as an observation of something that I've watched for over a year now. So why not turn it into something that's more of a study? Who knows I might just actually learn something.

I started watching this team play last September when a friend of mine asked me if I fancied joining him to a football match. He was playing (and still is) for a Sunday league team. I'd actually known someone before who had played for a similar team before, but he always refused to take me with him as it wasn't a place for a girl. So I thought, "why not?" and went to watch my first football game. I went into the whole thing knowing the bare minimum about the game, and alas, I have to admit, I don't think my knowledge has improved immensely. However, I find that since writing notes towards this blog, I've come up with so many questions. Whether or not they will all be answered, I don't know. Considering the fact that I'm not taking this all so seriously, I doubt I will have all my answers. But I am hoping that I'll learn a little more about the game and learn to be a little more analytical? More assertive with my observations much like I am with my other research?

Much like any good researcher, all the names of the team have been changed, hopefully they'll see the humour in the choice of names I've used. I also hope I don't make an ass of myself with any of the comments or notes I make about the game or the players!