The Game: 10/12/06

I really must organise myself better. My entries are taking longer and longer to write down as I'm constantly being distracted by other things, and I really wish it was my other research! Today's game though, I must jot down as it's one that I intend to keep remind myself that football is not just about jolly fun and sightings of leggy men in shorts - but involves a lot of hot tempers and easily wound up men (or boys, take your pick).

So today we were playing a team that was a spiteful set. We'd played them before, and honestly, I never liked them. The last time we played them, they had a little minion on the sidelines harrassing our team. They were not a nice team to play against, and on top of that their players were a tough lot - younger, faster, and I have to admit their shrill voices added to their advantage (you just didn't want to go near them once they opened their mouths). Today was no different.

The coach became the referee for the day, which I'm sure was quite tough for him. I'm sure it's hard to see your team's faults and have to penalise them, or worse not shout out corrections to them as you watch the mistakes they make (leaving gaps, not 'pushing out' quick enough, leaving players unguarded). I was told it served a good purpose as it helped to allow the team to try on their own. I guess the team would know that they'd have to watch themselves if their biggest judge of play is their ref, not only would you have to watch out for any mistakes you make, but try to remember the plan/game that was discussed and agreed upon at the start in the pre-match talk. My sympathy went out to both sides in any case.

Last week it was generally agreed that Ashitaka and Kaji play well together, and they're getting better. Today however, Ashitaka had a lot of misses. Although he still has good passes, there were still quite a few misses. For me, somehow I felt that Ashitaka wasn't really playing as well as he could. On saying that, even though he was missing a couple of passes, he still showed a great amount of dexterity which never fails to impress. He may not have the towering stature of some of the players (e.g. Batou, Guile, Zangief), but I guess that's what works to his greater advantage. Kaji, on the other hand, was admittedly having a better game. He was pushing harder for the ball, however at times I felt that he was still holding back. I sometimes get the feeling that he's almost afraid to challenge for (?) the ball. He seems a little less inclined to attack a player to gain control of the ball, and I don't know why. He can stand his ground as much as anyone else can... so what's holding him back?

Hmmm, a lot of the players on the other team were a lot smaller and lighter on their feet. They showed quite a bit of skill (admittedly), which is probably why a few of our players probably felt less inclined to show off as much with the football. Today was a much more serious game that was played. I have to admit the players seemed to make sure they kept their composure at all times. In all honesty, I think the other time were allowing themselves to be wound up so easily and were itching for a fight. However, Anime kept their priorities right, and I have to say it definitely paid off. Although neither team scored, it also meant that they didn't let the other team score. That's not to say we didn't have the chance to score. There were a couple of times when I thought we'd be close, but for some reason it just wasn't enough.

I have to say though, Ryu showed a lot more seriousness in his control over the ball. What I like about Ryu, which is something that also showed last week, is that he knows how tough he is and he's not afraid to use that. He's got guts and he tackles when he should do. I used to enjoy watching him because of his skills at kicking or keeping up a football. Now I enjoy watching him simply because of the dedication and effort he puts into winning that ball for his team. Not only that but when there is a voice among the team spurring them on, it's sometimes his (otherwise it's Deejay or Sagat). For a quiet spoken man, he makes his presence on the pitch known, I like that. He'll take a tumble, he'll get scratched up and messed up, but he'll also pick himself up and ran after that ball.

In all honesty, there were times when the team played ever so well. Their passes were brilliant. At times they played magnificently, and even though they did not score a goal, they managed to give the other team a run for their money. I was proud of their performance, they worked well with each other, and I could understand why the coach did not change any of the players until the end of the game. There were just those times when those passes kept our boys in the game and the other team on their toes.

Whether or not it's fair to do this, I don't know. Batou took an unfair bullying today from his man. Apparently Batou and Deejay were busy winding the other team up, as they usually do, however Batou had a player (who was apparently 5'4 - Batou is 6'+ and imposing). When the ball went off the pitch, Batou and #16 (as my goldfish memory recalls) ran up to the line and stopped. In a friendly gesture, Batou's arm went around #16's chest, but locked around his neck. #16 took this as a headlock and went mad. As a short person myself, I can understand why he got upset. I was worried that Batou would be sent off, but thankfully the situation was defused and the game continued. However, Batou was then substituted, and watched the game with the rest of us. However, the ball was kicked off the pitch yet again. I was in close proximity of what happened next, and I completely stand by Batou on this one as he really was the innocent party. #16 went to pick up the ball to throw back onto the pitch when Batou said, "what?" For some reason it was enough to send #16 into a mad frenzy and he threw the ball in Batou's face. The game ended after that, with only 2 minutes left to the end of the game. They were, in general, a vicious team.

(looks as though I'll be posting the other games as I write them up)