Second Place

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I feel like a proud parent - at least I think I do; never having been a parent I can't really say for sure what it is to feel like one...but proud I know, and that I am. Yesterday our U-14 team competed in their final game of the season and won, bringing us to second place in the league. To be honest we didn't play that well, we looked sluggish and sloppy during the first half and went into the break trailing 1-0. We made some player changes though, sat down and talked and in the second half we were a different team. Melvin especially (standing 3rd in from the left) , perhaps the shyest and most humble member of the team, came alive and just started firing off shots, 2 of which went in. The defense then, held it together for the rest of the game and we won it 2-1. Even though we didn't play as well as we should have I came away feeling satisfied and brimming with pride. We began the season miserably, we were pathetic, we couldn't work together, we didn't know our positions, we simply did not know how to play futbal at a level any higher than a pick-up game. But we stuck with it, our coach remained dedicated and positive the entire season, the kids not only hung in and continued practicing but they also scoured the community for more players...and we began to improve. We began losing by thinner margins, then we began tying games and finally we began to win, a lot. The kids are already looking forward to next year and talking about taking first place, it won't be easy but I know they have the drive and the talent; it's within reach.

our top goal scorer of the season, chamu, waiting for the whistle

one of our problems has always been that our kids tend to be undersized and malnourished compared to the teams we compete against but what they lack in size they make up for in foot-work and pure drive.

one of our newest acquisitions, william

chamu, almost scored...many times

all akimbo

duke, one of our anchors and the saviour of the previous game, was just off yesterday - he simply had nothing in the tank.

the victory shot
pictured l-r standing: duke, melvin, william, eli, kevin, chihua (non-player), jalmar (asst. coach), chele, tato, anuar & sergio (non-player)
kneeling: oder, bairon, jimy, chamu, eduar (injured), ever, tolo
not pictured: tati & moye

Comments

Galen and Phyllis Groff said…
What a victory! We're so happy for you and the kids. Hope the coach remains with you all next year.
September 21, 2010 at 4:07 PM
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