After watching a great game of football last weekend, it reminded me of a few things that I would like to write about. Let’s start with a walk down memory lane, on how I came to love sports.
- Growing up in a country like India, following cricket is almost a given. I used to enjoy playing it as well absolutely. My favorite player was “Sachin Tendulkar”, I used to maintain a diary with cuttings from papers, magazines, etc. To date I haven’t seen a better batsman than him, I feel fortunate to have seen him play.
- Ever since then I have always followed cricket. Gradually, I started following Arsenal in football, they weren’t competing for the EPL title at the time but I became a fan of their style of play. Enough of the background let’s talk about the football game a bit before I mention the things that came to my mind. Just to give a context about the game, two big teams that have been competing for the title over the past two years. The game was at the home of “Man City”(champions the past two years), they were playing against “Arsenal”. In football home advantage is a big thing.
- Man City started the game well and took a lead early on. Arsenal absorbed pressure for a while and then scored a spectacular goal to level.
- Just before half-time Arsenal took the lead with a goal from a corner. Then a crazy red card was given to one of the Arsenal players, which was harsh I felt. Plus the way the game was going it felt like it could have been an all-time classic.
- Before the second half I thought it would be tough for Arsenal to defend with 10 men.
- Arsenal came out with a clear game plan to just defend with everyone behind the ball, that was the best defensive display I have ever seen with 10 men against a team like Man City. It ended in a draw with a last-gasp equalizer from City.
Things that came to my mind during the game -
- How far Arsenal have come as a team from the 3-4 seasons before, improving every game. Arteta is doing a great job with the team.
- The way they compete on the pitch not giving an inch to the opposition, that’s what I love a lot about sports played the right way. For anyone watching, fans or neutral they want to see that. Result matters yes, but that’s only possible when you give your all.
- Behind the scenes, so much work the team and the support staff puts in, shows on the pitch when they play. A big example is the amount of goals scored from set-pieces, so many different routines they have worked on.
- Two pieces of art from the game - the first Arsenal goal, just beautiful. The second was the defending, just “wow”. I have never been a fan of “parking the bus” tactic but in that situation, such a great call from the manager and the team backing it up.
- I mentioned “defending” above as an art, at times I feel (myself included) that we don’t appreciate it enough. Scoring and creating great goals that look good to the eye is not the only form of art in football. Every aspect of the game is important and has its beauty.
- Special mention to Raya in goal, he was brilliant.
I hope sports can continue to bring joy to people around the world.
Few series/films that I have enjoyed watching on sports are -
- The Last Dance(Netflix series) - My favorite.
- The Invicitus(Movie)
- Rise(Movie)
- Moneyball(Movie)