~JcZw

Back in VJ, when I was eating in the canteen, walking home, or going to fencing, I would see the hockey and the soccer people training. Sometimes if I was lucky I could see the 'keepers in action at the nearer goal. Seldom though, maybe cos it was nearer the road and collateral damage was to be minimized.

Never thought one day I'd be trying out for soccer and handball keeper in hall. For the latter I guess its still ok, though there are a great many people competing for the spot. But soccer, though I was the only keeper present that day, it was quite a miserable trial.

The pitch was ultra muddy and I was skidding all over. Its like, the opposing winger was running down the flank and I was guarding the near post, then he crossed the ball, and in trying to move back to the center of the goal, I fell flat on my back. Grrr...

Then there was the gigantic African senior who shot from outside the box (one of those Steven Gerrad shots), and I could see it coming perfectly and was telling myself to dive. Pushed off with my right foot to dive left. And unfortunately, by Newton's Third Law of Motion, when my right foot went up, my left foot got firmly implanted into the mud. So I kinda flailed about for one second before flopping onto my side like a cat that had too much to eat.

Oh heck. What i know about goalkeeping is what I read in Wikipedia. I don't know how to organize a wall, a defence or whatnot. But at least I learnt that being a 'keeper's not so much about making saves, but about rushing out at the appropriate times. Since the goal is so big, I guess if your opponent's in the box and has a clear shot you've had it. Especially if you're 1.65m.

Well shall stop here. Will update about our trip back to VJ today =D