The Game: 04/03/07

Today's game was as abysmal as the weather. I was asked today why I come to the games and told how dedicated I was to make it to every game. Truth is, I'm hooked and if I don't come, my Sundays are that much quieter. The interest of watching how the dynamics between a group of men work is fascinating. I may just stand and watch, with the minimal vocal support, but in all honesty, you get sucked into it one way or another, whether you're shouting your support or just hissing under your breath.

Most of this season has seen the team work well at times. There have been some great passes and some brilliant team work. There have been pairings where the two players seem to connect well and work together (Batou and Deejay, Ryu and Ken - naturally, Jubei and Kaji) and there are times when pairings don't work (surprisingly, for some reason I just feel that Kaji and Ashitaka have lost that connection - could it be because Ashitaka doesn't play as often? Have they lost that spark or chemistry?). Somehow though, there is always a team effort, things work, the players work for each other (albeit they're sometimes a little silent about it), but there are those times when you see a spark, a great pass is made and the witty play is made. It's like watching a sketch, a great live comedy sketch, it's all about giving a line with the right timing and that's what it is with this team. Or at least that's what most of the season was...

Today for some reason the boys seemed to have lost that connection in the first half (I could have sworn I saw Ryu counting on his fingers as he held the ball between two opposing players). The boys seemed keen on giving each other back passes that made Aramaki lose his temper about it towards the end. Maybe it was the turf that the boys were playing on, maybe it was the bad weather, or possibly a combination of both, it just seemed that (especially in the first half) the boys were afraid to connect with the ball (kind of like the way the Saudi team played against Germany in the 2002 world cup). A lot of slipping was involved, a lot of misses were involved and a lot of missed connections between their feet and the ball was involved.

The other team managed to get all five goals in the first half, and although I wanted to yell "don't lose heart" after the third goal, you could see how some of them had already given up. Togasan really just lost all hope after the fourth goal and it was heart breaking. When Deejay came off the pitch at the end of the game, maybe it was that rain, but I could have sworn he was welling up. The fact that the game had an audience probably didn't help, but the ref was even worse and was enough to want me to own a small hand gun. It was hard not to feel that was siding for the opposing team and the fact that he only stopped blowing his whistle every six seconds towards the end of the second half because his throat was a little dry.

Shinji was also back, and although he's lost a little of his speed, he hasn't lost his ability to state the obvious when it comes to the team. His skills of motivation were revised today as he was asked to be a little more positive, unlike his usual bouts of "what the f!ck was that?!".

The problem is, today I don't think it would be fair of me to pick on one person or many of them. It would be unfair of me to criticise each of them as they all suffered from the result of the first half and managed to redeem themselves in the second half by not allowing the other team anymore chances. From the sidelines it looked painful, I can only imagine how heartbreaking it must have been to see it on from the pitch.

The Game: 17/12/2007

I sit here wondering if I'm actually any good at this. If my research truly depended on ethnography or observations of this type, I'm sure that I'd fail. Thank goodness I deal with experimental work! Much less effort is put into it!

Well, this week Anime AFC managed to bring themselves (or at least a lot of themselves) together for a friendly match between themselves. I brought my sister along to watch the game with me, and to basically introduce her to the team that I've been observing/watching for the past year or so. Although she said she enjoyed it, I think there were two things that stopped her from fully enjoying the experience. 1) She had a cold. 2) The boys were playing against each other, instead of another team. It's true, if they were playing against another team, you'd feel that competetive spirit. However when they play themselves, it just feels that there's something lacking, not only that, but that somehow you really see how the boys work (or don't work) together. It was interesting to see how everyone played as the score turned out to be 6-2 (Ken's team to Ryu's team) at the end...

As it turned out Ryu, Batou, Jubei, Togasan, Deejay, Ishikawa and Kaji (along with another player I'm not familiar with) were on one team, while Ken, Yamazaki, Shinji, Aramaki, Vega, Ota and another player I'm not familiar with were on the other. Ryu and Aramaki turned up looking quite ill, although Aramaki looked as though he was ready to just lie down for the rest of the game at one point. However, first thing I told my sister was do not judge Ota by his appearance, and to watch when Shinji ran. Ota is one of the oldest players in the team, with a short and stocky build. However, he never lets that get in the way and once that ball starts moving you can guarantee he's sprinting right after it. There were a couple of times when my sister would show her shock and disbelief at how fast he could run. But that wasn't the best part, I found that he and Vega worked well as a team. Somehow they both had a way about the field that allowed them to work well with each other. Vega is tall and very slim, which allows him a certain amount of speed but impressive agility. I only really started becoming interested in his skills when I realised the man could score goals. I'm not saying he was never a good player, but last season I never really saw him play that much since he was out of a lot of games because of injury. However, this season, although he doesn't play quite as often as he should, he is still very good at passing the ball and with his timing. I think that he and Ota work well together when they pass to each other or work on the same side of the field. There's just something about them that clicks - quite an unlikely pairing.

As always Shinji put on a great performance when he had the ball, however, there are times when I feel that he doesn't push himself more and loses control of the ball too easily. I was pleasantly surprised when I saw Yamazaki on the pitch. He seemed very much at home when he was on the pitch, and although I still have to make up my mind as to how I feel about his skills, he seems to know how to throw his weight around and make sure he's light on his feet. As mentioned earlier, Ryu was feeling a little ill (from a fun night out) but it didn't stop him from giving it his best. I sometimes wonder where such a quiet and soft spoken man gets such a contrasting persona from. Off the pitch he comes off as quiet, genial, mild mannered... on the pitch he's loudly supportive, commanding, but most of all he's a smart player. I have to admit, I was a little disappointed when he didn't display much fancy footwork so that my sister could see what he was like (but I was also disappointed she didn't get to see Ashitaka*). What I like about Ryu is that although he isn't captain, it doesn't stop him from encouraging his team, shouting orders or taking control. He knows what he's doing and he lets others know...

Since I haven't written the previous games in yet, I guess I have to say it here otherwise it will be pointless to keep it for later. Togasan is a hard working player, he's also passionate and smart. However, there are times when I watch him play and I wonder what it is he's supposed to do. It feels like he has one idea and yet he's being told to do something else. At one game we played there were times when the coach would shout out reminders of what he had told Togasan to remember during the game, and yet I felt as though he had other things in mind. The issue was cleared up afterwards (I basically asked the players what was going on), and this week proved that I was right. Togasan managed to play his own game and work by his own rules. I found that he played better as he knew just what exactly it was that he wanted to do.

Although it is always interesting to watch Ryu and Ken play together (because they really do work so well) it was interesting to see them playing against each other. Somehow, even though I thought the opposite would be true, both of them seem to play similarly. There were times when I saw one of them doing one move and later on the other would do that same move. They don't look alike, they have different looks, builds, and yet their skills do reflect the other. However, although Ken is very skilled and driven, I find he lacks a similar finesse as Ryu. That may seem harsh, but I do think that he will get there... he just needs to be in the games more.

Ishikawa - he comes to most of the games, either as a sub or to spectate and in all honesty I would love to see him play more. He deserves the time because from what I've seen he's very good at what he does.

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)

The Game: 19/11/2006

So, I've managed to leave posting this game for way too long. However, this game was not one I really wanted to remember for a number of reasons. First the pitch was double booked and so we all had to move to another one. Second, one of the players brought one of their kids who kind of distracted me from the game. Third, we lost the game (2-3) and hearing some of the comments that a couple of the subs were making, it wasn't a good game. In general, it was the kind of game I could forget easily.

We played somewhere near Archway, I'm still getting to know London myself, but when I told it was off Market Road, I didn't realise how 'off' it was. However, the pitch wasn't too bad, although the surrounding area was COVERED in dog doo (which goes to show why I'm not really a dog person). That may seem insignificant until a football is kicked into it and someone has to retrieve it, and stupidly enough the 'fan' goes out to get it... I can only say, thank goodness I wore gloves, at least I could throw them away afterwards. The turf this week was fake grass, and seemed to allow movement for the ball to be quite fluid and a little more natural. I heard at least one player commenting on how good the pitch was to play on.

The referee that we had originally booked could not cover our game as it was starting two hours later, however we managed to get one of the members of our team to be the referee. In all honesty, he tried his best to give our team a chance, and yet somehow we missed it.

This week Ryu was given two penalty shots, he managed to get one, but missed the other one, which was disappointing.

Although it's sad and terrible to say this, I didn't take notes for this game because of a number of things that had been going on during the weekend and the week to follow. Therefore this entry will have to remain incomplete with sparse details. In all honesty, my goldfish memory isn't helping me, but neither is the fact that halfway through the game I slowly became both disheartened and terribly distracted.

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.