Anyone who has been reading GBB for a while will know that I play football (soccer, if you prefer). I play for a team called the Saitama Jets, and by virtue of being one of the longest-serving and bossiest team members, I also help to organize things. Regular readers will also know that the Saitama Jets have a nasty habit of doing well in various competitions and tournaments, but usually choking at the last hurdle.
Well, as the title indicates, we did it again!!! We went to Tochigi hoping to retain the trophy we won last year. We were also hoping to beat Niigata, who defeated us in January on the way to winning the Saitama Stadium All-Japan ALT tournament.
On the first day, we played well, winning two and drawing one to finish as the top-ranked team. In the knockout stages, we saw off Yamanashi and a local team dubbed 'Japan' to set-up a revenge match with Niigata in the final. We played well, we dominated the game, but we couldn't score, and the game ended 0-0. Just as at Nagano last October, and at Nagano in 2002, we lost in the final on penalties. Definitely a cruel, unfair, barbaric, and inhumane way to lose. Has anyone got a killer instinct they can sell me or loan me for a few months - we need it badly!
Posted by Gary at April 18, 2005 03:01 PMYou are suffering from England-Syndrome. A cure has yet to be found for it - however, so-called Living In The Past treatments ("1966") or irrelevant substitute accomplishment (Rugby World Cup) have provided relief for some sufferers.
Just teasing you mate... better luck next time, ganbare.
Posted by: Dirk at April 19, 2005 10:31 PMhey dude at least your team are getting that far!
my saturday 11-a-side team are struggling to score a goal at the mo,although we did score 1st last sat and manged to hold the 1 goal lead for 60 mins to then concede 2 goals and lose. However in our 6-a-side league we did finish 2nd which was a huge joy to the same team who finished bottom last season. so here we go again another sat...Perhaps this week our luck may change and were hold a 1 goal lead for 90mins. i'll let you no. Fingers crossed.
Scraping glory is a very ancient and honourable English pastime. Keep up the good work!
Posted by: Lewis at May 17, 2005 12:04 PM