Following a 280-day break, the 2023 NSSML season kicked off with a delectable medly of footballing splendor. The Wanderers' opening game against Huevos had everything a neutral football fan could ever ask for; goals, drama, controversy, heartbreak, and even downright bloodshed.
After a positive start from both teams, Wanderers' were forced to momentarily go without their Right Back, Shervin, as he had to block an incoming shot with his reproductive organs. Only minutes later, Huevos picked up their first goal with a close range shot in the box following a solid team build up.
Despite going down early in the game, Wanderers showed good spirit to get back into the game before the 20th minute. This time after a positive build up from the Wanderers, Reza found Lucca in an ideal shooting position. Lucca in turn placed the ball confidently in the bottom corner of the net, and the game was now back to even...
Later in the first half, Matheus took a long free kick from his own half, and managed to find Farhang, the Wanderers striker, with a beautiful long ball. The only thing more impressive than Matheus' attempt was the manner in which Fahang controlled the ball, took it down to the ground, beat the defender, and picked out the bottom corner with his shot. The panache with which the Wanderers striker executed the move, was nothing short of a true striker's instinctual finish. Wanderers were now in the lead, and looked to be in cruise control of the match.
However, more twists were to follow, as in the closing minutes of the first half, the ball fell to a Huevos attacker in the box after a scramble from a corner kick. The Huevos forward put full power on the shot, and managed to beat two Wanderers defenders and the keeper to find the bottom right of the goal with his emphatic shot.
Wanderers were heartbroken to be going into half time without their hard-earned lead, but were hopeful of achieving more in the 2nd half. Those hopes were soon shattered however, as Sina Oloomi was penalized for allegedly handling the ball in the box. The referee was quick to point to the penalty spot, despite protests from Sina, who even stated aloud to the penalty taker "... shake hands with the ref before you take your pen!"
Even the Huevos players seemed to agree that the decision was absolutely ridiculous. During their post match team talk amongst themselves, Huevos players made statements such as "... I can't believe he actually gave that, that was crazy!", and "... yeah I'd shake hands with him after he gave that!"
Despite the controversial nature of the decision, Huevos were now granted ample opportunity to go in the lead once again. The Huevos striker took full advantage of the opportunity and buried the penalty by sending the goalie the wrong way and then simply rolling the ball into the net. Wanderers now found themselves behind the 8 ball, as they had to come back from behind once again.
Despite continued efforts, and in particular two great runs from David and Lucca into a one on one situation, Wanderers could not find a breakthrough. In the last minute of the game, David crossed the ball into the box, where Lucca was preparing to bury the shot with an overhead bicycle kick. Unfortunately, in a moronic attempt to deny Lucca the opportunity, a Huevos defender stuck his head out to where Lucca's foot would end up at the end of the overhead kick. This resulted in a collision between the two, which was then followed by the defender stomping Lucca's head on the ground with his studs. A lengthy cut in Lucca's head sent the blood spewing out, which covered nearly half the face of the Wanderers' forward. Lucca had to then be rushed to the hospital, and the lackluster referee merely ended the game instead of dealing with the verbal abuse that some Huevos players were directing at Lucca for attempting an overhead kick.
And so the game ended with a heartbreaking scoreline, which was only exasterbated by a controversial penalty and a violent end. It seems that Wanderes' have found their new nemesis, in place of LG Guardians which were relegated from the league after a horrendous showing in 2022.
Tough start to the season, but up the Wanderers nonetheless...
