Dear Gansters,
For those who were not there last Saturday it will be hard for me to describe what happened against J.Leaguers. I think you had to live it to feel it. A team was re-born.
For those who where present, let’s remember this game, this is the reference game that we needed; something to keep in mind for the rest of the season; a first steps towards future achievements.
Happy Valley #6
Saturday 3pm
Goodfellas 3 -1 J.Leaguers (half time 2-1)
A team warn-up is the first important thing to do before a football game. This is to make sure everyone’s body is ready for the fight right from the kick-off. We had a quick one under the leadership of yours truly.
“As far back as I can remember I always wanted to be a footballer.”
A team talk is the second important thing to do. We had a brief one, ignoring the referee’s call to start the game. The talk was an analogy between the Goodfellas (the movies) and football:
- “We are a the bottom of the ladder, it’s time to climb our way up.”
- “We need to go back to the basics of football: pass and move, make it easy for the ball carrier decision, he should have a simple pass to make.”
- “Give 110%. You have 2 kind of limits: psychological and physical limits. Giving 110% means going beyond your psychological limits and surpass yourself. This can be achieve through encouragement from each other."
- “Steal the ball and share it with your friends, that’s what gangsters do!”
- “And when you have an opportunity shoot, that’s what gangsters do!”
- “And if we are leading we must kill the game, that’s what gangster do!”
The Ganster’s team line up:
AndyThe guy between bars (not behind)
Shiuy Bear Ikes KettzThe cleaners
Garrow D-Cheung Howard HyppoThe bosses
CedThe godfather (it’s just because I’m old)
PeterThe hitman
Gansters kept in custody: Youn, Raz, Spenny, SebS
1st half:
I guess the team warm-up coupled with the team talk had some kind of effect on us and we put a lot of pressure on J.Leaguers from the kick-off. This paid off quickly as we took the lead after few minutes into the game. The move was initiated by Steven Garrow who did not distilled illegal alcohol as of the time of the prohibition but who distilled one of those passes he has the secret. Pete deflected the ball into space for Ced on the left side of the field. Ced took the space and crossed the ball over the defense. Pete was at the reception of the cross and with a clinical finish claimed his first casualty of the day.
Goodfellas 1 – 0 JLeaguers.
J.Leaguers were probably a bit surprised by this fast pace start and they had some difficulty to develop their passing game due to a constant pressure from the fellas. After a challenge on Ced that the referee estimated foul play the Goodfellas were granted a free kick 10 meters outside the box. Pete stepped-up for it. One man in the wall blocked the ball with his arm so the referee gave another free-kick; at the edge of the box this time. The second free quick was beautifully uted, real professional work. It first hit the bar, bounced on the ground, then hit the bar again and was finally cleared by the defense. Yes but the linesman had raised his flag as he had seen what nobody else did: he saw the ball crossing the line. Did we bribe the linesman or what? I know that’s what gangsters would have done but … come one.
Hum! Ok I will not rat on my friends and keep my mouth shut.
Goodfellas 2 – 0 JLeaguers.
J.Leaguers finally got into rhythm and had some opportunities but they lacked some inspiration in front of our goal. Our generous defense missed a couple of clearance that could have put us into trouble but Andy was there to preserve our 2 goals advantage. At one point our goal was deserted though and a J.Leaguers player had all the time in the world to adjust his shot. Luckily for us his shot went above the crossbar. On another attack the Japanese squad finally broke into our safe and a shot from inside the box went in. Andy had a hand on it but the shot was too powerful and the JLeaguers were back in business.
Goodfellas 2 – 1 JLeaguers.
During this half SebS replaced Hyppo. I don’t recall any other substitutions. We created ourselves a lot of chances with very good combinations and we enjoyed a lot of ball possession. J.Leaguers tried to build as well but they may have abused their long diagonal ball which we dealt pretty well with.
Half time:
Mafia 2 – 1 Yakuza
The second half started strong for the Goodfellas and on an another deflected ball Pete completed his hat-trick. He first resisted the defender’s challenge and then placed a sweet low shot passed the keeper. This 3rd goal has given the team all the confidence we needed, at this point J.Leaguers had lost much of theirs.
Goodfellas 3– 1 JLeaguers.
The fellas were in control of the game and were producing some pretty nice moves with one of two touches. Pete and I were pressuring the “guy with the blue shoes” to prevent the long diagonal ball as instructed by D-Cheung. Our midfield was everywhere and they showed who the bosses were. There were no more hesitation in our defense, everything got cleared out of the way and Andy was reading their game pretty well too.
Everybody contributed to this well deserved victory. Hypo had some more time on the field and all the players who came in showed their commitment to get all 3 points. Youn, Raz and Spenny made sure that the score would be preserved. I have to say I was particularly impressed by Spenny, who despite being in an unusual position (left defender), was getting into every challenge with lots of engagement and a winning attitude.
Lesson learned
It’s important to be at the pitch 30 minutes before kick-off
1) to get your body up-to-speed with a team warn-up routine
2) to get your mind into the game as well with a prepared team talk
I also propose to name who has to prepare the talk when giving the team roster.
Let’s keep the momentum for our next Legal League games and climb another step, and another, and another. Together through hard work in defense, smart play in offence and lots of encouragement we can become somebody in this neighborhood of nobodies.
And don't forget to keep it fun
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82S39Xohjws
