Day 2 began and I was a little nervous because we were to show up to this tournament as the outsiders from Sydney. Not only that, there were around 70 teams competing for the money. I really hoped that our boys would pull through to post an impressive total. So we got up at 9 am, had breakfast and ventured off to the field. So many people, so many fields, it was overwhelming.

So What Field Are We On Again?

With our first game at 10:30 am we found our alloted field and watched the game unfold. Our guys were great, passing effectively and shooting with such menace. Unfortunately we were versing a very tough side. However, we pulled through for a 1-0 win, which was good considering the opposition. I was dying to run out and have a go so I could score some goals for the team and pull off some Ronaldinho like tricks and techniques.

First Game In The Bag, Now What?

We had two more to go for the day, so we had to pace ourselves and what we did to conserve energy to take on the next team. We got back to the apartments we were staying at and made some lunch, making sure it was a light lunch that we could run off of. Some of us decided that we wanted to go to the beach, so we did.

Off To The Beach We Go

Forster Beach was spectacular, beautiful and refreshing. Water so clean I could see my feet, and waves so perfect I could ride them all the way to the shore it was truly a great thing to do. The player didn’t come to the beach with us and righfully so, as they needed to recuperate for the next match which was to begin within the next hour. We made our way back to the apartments and set off to the fields.

Game 2 Now Begins

By this time the sun was unbearable so we needed to find a place in the shade to cool off. Water was on demand also. They fought hard and the team they versed was just as good, however, our guys were tired and bothered from the first game. With the sun bearing down on them it wasn’t a great time to be playing. In the end, the game finished 1-1 with a great last minute goal from our striker. We left the fields to go back to the apartments to regather our thoughts and morale.

Rest Is Really Important

But it didn’t seem as though the players understood this, they were still playing Pro Evo. So we hung around at the apartments until it was time to go to the next match. I didn’t mention before that the fields were only a few minutes away from where we were staying. We got to the game and watched our side play a good match. Once again we came away with a 1-1 draw. This meant that we were knocked out of Pool A which comprised of the teams who won the most games and had the most goals. We had neither which was a bummer. We retrieved once again to our place where the entire team decided to visit the beach again.

Team Bonding

It was at this time as we were swimming and catching waves that I realised that a football team is much like a band of people who can become very close friends and tight knit. We were spending time together and getting to know each other better, which is one of the most important things to do if you are a coach. To create cohesion and harmony amongst team members, that way the quality of play increased exponentially.

What Time Did I Sleep Again?

I’m not even sure, but it was really late because I was watching The Shawshank Redemption which was a really good movie and then watched a Mike Tyson documentary that one of my friends had brought. Plus before that we had gone fishing to a quiet spot under the Forster bridge. Actually funny thing, one of the players fell off the wharf and into the water we were fishing off I was laughing so much. Moving on, we were to go into tomorrow as underdogs and potentially going home early. I didn’t mind the idea of going home early to be honest purely for the fact that we could go swimming again, but for the teams sake, I wanted my team to win every match.