The football World Cup fever had not failed to touch us in this small town where I live. There are a large number of playgrounds in this town and you will always find groups of people playing on these fields, irrespective of age. The games which are played on these fields depend on the current trend of events, but are confined to cricket and football. During the cricket World Cup, everyone plays cricket and during the football World Cup everyone plays football. As per tradition a number of tournaments are held during these times and this year a football tournament was held.
I play as the right back for the Sunday Club and we were participating in the tournament. I have hardly ever scored a goal for my club but am hailed as a very good defender and one who can create goals. Yesterday, we were playing the Diamond Club in a knock-out stage. They were a strong side and were to be reckoned with. So our coach had warned us to be vigilant in the defence and miss no opportunity to strike.
The first half went well for us. We scored a goal and I foiled three attacks from the right flank. Our morals were very high. The second half kicked off. The ball was being played in the midfield, neither side able to get through. I had a touch or two of the ball, but a swift, deft move from the other side ripped through our defence, only to get a corner. It was a corner from the left side and so I stood far on the right. Almost nine players of Diamond Club were now in the box hoping to score. The corner was taken and the ball curved ominously towards the goal. A rush, stretched heads and a punch. Our goalkeeper had punched the ball out and it raced towards the midfield. Everybody screamed and I saw the field almost open in front of me. I ran. Catching up with the ball I glanced back and saw the others giving chase but they were a bit far. I turned and ran towards the goal. There was only one defender. I dodged him easily on the run and rampaged towards the goal. The goalkeeper came forward to reduce the angle. I was seconds away from a goal, a goal that will seal our victory, a goal that will make me a hero. Shall I lob the ball over the goalkeeper’s head or shall I dodge him too?
I could hear the others approaching and the commotion of the crowd. They were excited. I was a hero. Oh, what a reception I will get when I go back. I can brag about it just like the others do. In the next match I shall play as the right winger and get more opportunities to score. The coach won’t say anything after this. Today is my day.
Wham!
The ball flew out from in front of me, and I fell face down on the field. The defender I had dodged had charged and tackled me while I stood dreaming of glory. I raised my hand calling for a foul but the referee said play on. I got up gingerly and trudged back towards my side of the field, careful not to look at anyone. We had won a corner, but it did not matter. Through a barrage of curses and remonstrances I trudged towards my goal. What a failure!
We did win the match but only by one goal. Our coach scowled at me after the match and nobody seemed to sympathise. I found it imperative to make myself scarce and quickly cycled back home. I opened my boots and went straight for a bath. My mother was sitting in the dinning hall and was busy solving that day’s Sudoku. As I passed her I said, “We won. I scored a goal today.”
Mother scribbled something on the paper and with out looking at me remarked, “You didn’t score a goal, now did you?”
