On a cold wednesday night, 3 Dec 2008, 7.30pm @ 17th Street and Olympic Blvd, Santa Monica, 2 teams met for an interesting friendly soccer match.
The 5+design team is made up of mainly architects, most of whom are working in the 5+design architecture firm (Hollywood area) and the rest from other smaller architectre firms (Los Angeles).
The St. Annes Soccer Academy team is made up of youths (10yr-20yr olds). Their coach is a passionate friendly guy who calls himself "the fat man". The academy is part of a local church's efforts to bring together youths in the neighbourhood, and organizing good clean challenging fun games for them.
From the moment the ball is kicked, it was a fast-paced, action-packed game all the way. The youths from the academy were fast and very enthusiastic. Their coach, also playing, sometimes as a goalkeeper or midfielder, not only shouts instructions and chided the team at times, but often shouts encouraging words to the youths, spurring them on, all in good spirit.
The 5+design team took a while to adjust to the speed of the opponents but managed to create several goal-scoring chances. By half time, 5+design team was 2-0 up, with superb shots from Max(striker) and Calvin(right winger).
Early in the 2nd half, Arthur (5+design central midfielder) blasted a blazing shot into goal, and won over several fans from the opponents as well. However, St. Annes team didn't give up and the coach lead by example with a nicely taken shot from a tight angle. They began their comeback, 3-1. St. Annes team played very well like an well-oiled engine. Nice touches gave the 5+design team's defence lots of trouble. Fortunately, Igna(5+design goalkeeper) was up to the task and made several good saves. Later, St. Annes team scored their 2nd goal from a set piece freekick. A powerful shot that went beyond the reach of the goalkeeper. The youths sense a potential comeback and were upbeat. Fortunately, Danielle (5+design left winger), like the fox-in-the-box, sneaked in next to the opponent's goalkeeper as he tried to catch onto a shot, and threw herself in for the ball, resulting in a slight tussling that made the ball slipped out of the goalkeeper's hands into the net. Goal! 4-2! And the final whistle blows.
5+design team & Allies
St. Annes Soccer Academy Team
All in all, it was a very tight and enjoyable game. Both sides gave their all and created many exciting moments. It was very heartening to see the youths pit themselves against bigger players, not afraid of challenging themselves while learning to work with each other, encouraging the rest and listening to instructions. Seeing how successful the game turn out to be, both sides agreed on a re-match in 2 weeks time. We all will be looking forward to it.
And to end this entry, here's a quote from the St. Annes team's coach as he was on his way out of the field, ready to give a ride home to some of his youth players, "Oh boy, I'm gonna get it from this boy's mum. I promised her I will get her boy back home by 9.30pm, but it's already 9.30pm now." The 10-yr old cool-afro-haired, green glassy-eyed boy grinned,turned his head towards us, and said in a matter-of-fact manner, "Good game guys...."
A touching scene indeed.....
