Chapter 3: The Match

“Folks this is the much awaited match...yeah you can call this the match of the season….” Alan Green was starting the commentary.
“It’s the clash of the irresistible force and the immovable object…” added Stuart Hall.

“That was well said… good job guys” Sam was brimming with excitement.
“Yeah dude…we are the irresistible force” now Max joined Sam.

“Maxie…do me proud…my boy” Max’s mother Mrs. Jones shouted from the stands
“Oh mommy why can’t you stop embarrassing me like that” Max was going red.

“Hey Maxie!!” a girl shouted this time.
“Jamie! You came to watch my match…” Max was astonished.
“Let the match end Maxie…”
“Oh Yeah there’s no turning back now”
“Save up your excitement sweetie”
Now Max was blushing.

“(Sound of the referee’s whistle)”

The match got underway.

“This is my last year in this school and I will give the trophy to my school as a parting gift” I thought to myself.

“Let’s do it Miroku” my fellow striker Paul said.

I touched the ball with my feet and Paul sent it back to the midfielders. Alex got the ball and we started our usual passing game.

“Here we go… Orange High boys have started their passing game again…” Alan Green commented
“It’s Sam. Now Max. Max to Alex…Highlands boys are really having a tough time out there” Stuart Hall added to his partner’s comment.
“It looks like Highlands School is going to take a real battering today”

The ball was with Sam.
“Sam” I waved my hand.

Sam was in the centre of midfield then and I straight in front of the penalty box with none other than Taylor as my marker.
Sam launched the ball and it crossed the midfield and landed in front of me. A perfect pass. I looked around and saw Taylor he was aiming for my feet.

“I won’t let you do that” I told myself.
I got the ball in my control and stood my ground. Taylor’s “much dreaded” legs were nearing me. I pushed the ball in front and jumped. Taylor missed my leg and the ball too.

“You can’t catch me buddy…you simply can’t…” I told Taylor as I went ahead.

The goalkeeper seemed to be nervous. It was one on one, me against him. I aimed for the top left corner. Goalkeeper noticed it. But I still took my shot.

“1-0 to Orange High…” an excited Alan Green shouted to the equally excited audience.
“30 minutes on the clock… 15 minutes to go for Half-time can Highlands School Bounce back or will Miroku add to their misery…” Stuart Hall made the picture clear.

“Damn you… scum… you ain’t escaping next time…” Taylor grumbled.
“Fuck off!” Sam was quick to react.

The match went on for the 15 minutes without any team coming close to score a goal. We got a corner but Paul’s miscued corner was easily dealt with.

“Miroku, you surely taught that Taylor a lesson” coach sounded very happy.
“I just did my job coach”
“If you go on doing this my boy, Arsene will surely give you a contract.”
“Arsene?!”
“My boy… Wenger himself has come to see your match… he has spoken to me.”

Half-time break was over and I was going to the turf with only one thing in my mind….

“It’s time for the 2nd half folks… both teams are on the field and Highlands School is now attacking from right to left.” Alan Green made everyone aware of that fact.
“So the final day of the season has reached its final half…who will take the trophy this year??”
“Orange High….”came the unanimous reply from the audience.

“Arsene Wenger came to see my match…” I thought about the coach’s words.

Referee got the match underway by blowing the whistle.

The Highlands boys had surely got some tough words from their coach. They seemed to have found their rhythm in play and craft in passing.

“It’s a different Highlands team that we see folks…” All Green summed up the situation.
“But the clock is ticking away…can they still find the equalizer?” Stuart Hall responded to his partner.

“No they can’t, I won’t let them…” I said as I looked for someone in the crowd.

Sam won back the ball from Mathews the Highlands Striker and passed it to Alex. Paul had already started his run on the wings. Alex passed it to Paul and we eyed each other.

“This time you are not escaping…” it was Taylor.
“Yes I am” I responded.

I made my run and met with Paul’s aerial pass…
“Now you go in” I said to myself as I headed the ball.

The ball went in but I felt a terrible pain in my right leg…I couldn’t get up…tears were automatically streaming down my cheeks…

“Was I caught by Taylor’s sliding tackle as I got down after heading the ball?” I thought to myself.
“Who has the last laugh now Miroku?” Taylor was grinning.
“Back off Taylor” Sam ran up to the penalty box.
“Taylor clearly fouled him ref…show him red ref…” Max told the referee.
“Show him the red ref show him the red” our full squad shouted.

The ref showed red but I couldn’t play on, he had indeed “ripped my leg apart”. A thought crossed my mind as I was stretchered out of the field…