Freaky Prediction

After losing 5 games in a row, we were practically dying for a win.

Last Saturday was the final match for my floorball team, Minden UniHawks, in the Penang Floorball League 2008.
In other words, it was our last straw to grab a win… our only win.
Our final chance to redeem our pride.
I didn’t want to be in the history books for all the wrong reasons.

Prior to the match, trainings were somewhat tension. At least to me it was.
The agitation to win mixed with doubts surely were on all of our minds.
During our last training, Captain Sarah Ng and Team Manager, Lee Wai Wai predicted a score line, 5-3.

UniHawks – 5
Frontliners – 3

The prediction was that we will win in spite of all the odds that were against us.
They have better shooters, we don’t.
They have far more experienced players, we don’t.
They have speed, we don’t.
They have stamina, we don’t.

Win? Sure bo?

The match day finally came.
And what more can you ask for than a bad news on the very d-day.

At about 1pm, I received a call from Sarah.

We had a major problem.
A crack in our formation.

Our usual goalkeeper at the very last minute said he can’t make it for the match.

Ah bagusla.

My doubts obviously grew bigger.
Having been a stand-in keeper once, Sarah requested me to play keeper that night again.
Honestly, I jittered but not like I had any other options.
Dahlah never practice keeping at all… Kantoi.

7.15pm
I got suited up.
Helmet, check.
Vest, check.
Keeper’s pants, check.
Ball-guard, check.
Game on.

7.30pm.
The game finally started.
I had a couple of blunders and the first goal that I conceded was sheer stupidity.
Every keeper’s nightmare – ball went through between my legs.
I had to re-focus and concentrate and forget about that goal.
Then, few minutes later came the second goal.
Alamak, mestilah confidence jatuh sikit…
However, my team forwards’ were on fire that night.
Believe it or not, we managed to secure 2 goals just before the first period ended.
At half-time, the score line was 2-2.
At that point, I personally thought to myself that the game was ours.
The pressure was on the other team.

We were after all, the Underdawgs.

8.00pm
Second period started off well for us.
We kept the pressure on them and wham, bam, boom!
We came from 2-0 down to an amazing 5-2!
5-2, but the prediction was 5-3…

Did I let in another goal?

Of course I did…

Purposely - just for the sake of realising the prediction.
Hehehehe….

Nolar… I did let it the 3rd goal but it was my fault again.
I wasn’t fast enough to cover the angle I was suppose to be covering and the next thing I knew the ball flew past me.

Oh well, we won…

I can’t complain can I? ;)

YES, BELIEVE IT OR NOT…
WE DID IT!
WE WON!

After 5 back to back excruciating loses, we felt like kings and queens of the world just winning that one single game.
It was precious to us in every way.
But really, it wasn’t so much of the win that I appreciate the most.
It was the team spirit and the way we played the game that I felt gave us the right to win.

It surely feels good to win…
To win as a team.

Minden UniHawks!


I'd still say it's freaky that the score line came true. 5-3?? What were the odds??