Soccer ftw
I play on a team in a recreational men’s masters soccer league. We played in the season end tournament semi-finals against a really tough opponent. We were down 4-2 in the second half and came to tie the game. Extra time. Penalty kicks. Due to a bad back I have not played much and was a sub for this game. The penalty kicks go on and on until almost all the players have taken one and it is my turn.
I am a striker. I have a hard and accurate shot. I know how to kick the ball and can do it with either foot. This is a moment you dream about since a kid practicing penalty kicks. 100 people watching, team chanting my name. If I put this ball in, the game is over and we win. I walk up to the ref and he gives me the ball to put down. He is very particular about where and how it is placed and it takes a moment to get it right. I take a few strides back, wait for the whistle and begin my approach to hammer it home. I am stiff and cold and I get away a semi hard shot more or less right at the goalie. I walk away. Boy I screwed that up. Why didn’t I use my left foot? Why didn’t I do a power shot? Why didn’t I try to place it? Arg. A lot of guys missed. So did the next guy. But not defenceman Al after that. We won. Below is a pic of me taking the shot. Next week is the finals.
