Teachers vs Students Soccer report – Part 3

Comrades – Today I have sad news to share about the teacher soccer team:

The teachers once again modelled skill, leadership and endurance in playing in both the quarter and semi-final games of soccer today. Game 1 was played at recess against Year 12 aspiring to dethrone the so far unbeaten teachers. With pluck and luck, they put on a good show, managing a solitary goal to match the teacher’s goal scored by the brilliant and humble Mr O’Neill. Being consummate entertainers, the teachers decided to not score again and create drama and tension in the form of a penalty shoot out to decide a winner. With Wilksinson, O’Neill and Galvin all calmly slotting their shots past a gallant Berny Yan, Pagani added his own flavour to the game, knowing that a good plot twist is always a crowd pleaser. Thus, Pagani skilfully and deliberately missed his shot, but was calm in knowing he would save the next 2 as goalkeeper. And that is what he precisely did, recording a tale of redemption as famous as the Count of Monte Cristo, Andy Dufresne from Shawshank or Elsa from Arendelle, winning the game and the adulation of the mob.

The student organisers, now concerned that this ragtag group of ageing, puffing (and deluded) teachers might actually win the whole comp, conspired to manipulate the outcome. They aimed at where they knew the teachers were vulnerable: fitness. Knowing that the teachers usually needed at least a one, although preferably two, week turn around between games, they scheduled the semi-final for lunch on the same day….

Despite this debasement, the teachers showed leadership and resilience, fronting at lunch time with determination and still red faces. Against all odds, the teachers scored a hat trick against the team who fancy themselves as the champions in waiting. This was again enough to please the throbbing crowd, who enthusiastically invaded the pitch to mob each goal scorer. But alas, a combination of success with the students’ devious plan to play tired teachers, and the fact that they were a lot better than us helped them score about a dozen goals. And so ended the dream…. for at least another year.

I’d like to give a big thank you for all the teachers who played, cheered or nursed colleagues during the tournament. I’d also like to thank the crowd of students who supported us teachers so passionately. It made a big difference and was lots of fun. And lastly I’d like to thank the student organisers, Felix Atkin-Bolton, Vino Jeevakan and Matt Brewster for putting on the whole thing which has been enjoyed by so many. Well done.

Mr O’Neill