A win like that after the week that we had, it uplifts the mood. Everyone put that horrible defeat out of our minds and we were looking forward to the next match. Winning the first leg away from home, 2-1 gives us a lot of leeway. And we wanted to take advantage of this, so we practiced with renewed vigor.
We practiced against a 3-5-2 system, knowing full well that they're definitely going to try it. We tried 4-3-3, with me dropping deep into the midfield. Carlos on the left, Diego on the right and Adriano in the middle. Moraes, Adrian and I are in the middle. The advantage with having me in the middle is that I could flip the switch. I could go from defending to attacking in an instant. We would go with our usual 4-2-3-1 if they're set up 3-5-2. But, it doesn't hurt to have backups.
The day of the match came quickly. I have noticed that I don't do anything else in between matches. Unless there is a week-long gap, I do not take time off. I realised that last time as well. With a 5 day gap in between the matches, you would expect something else to happen other than school and practice. But, nothing else happened. I was so locked in on these two tournaments that I didn't think of anything else.
If this is the way it goes, I wondered how it would be at a professional first team. With around 50-55 matches in a year, how would I have any time to do anything else? Be it a relationship, or hobbies or just relaxing. I wanted to think about this after the mess is over and I need to plan things. I cannot go into a robotic grind of only football. Yes, I want to be the GOAT. I know that it doesn't come easy. But, what's the point of a second chance if I don't enjoy it? With the season break coming up, I would think about this and plan for it. But, first, win the tournament and get those stat points and cards.
We went to the training ground early in the evening. My parents came with me. My mom just hugged me and said "Enjoy the match Kaká. You were playing so focused and so angry in the last game. I didn't like seeing you like that. I like it when you smile. This should be something you should also enjoy. Pressure is fine. Know that you would do well and let the lord guide you."
She was right. I was playing angry since the second half of that defeat. I just nodded and they left to go talk to the other parents.
I took my time before entering the locker room. I wanted to leave all the previous stuff. I wanted to forget the results. I wanted to forget the first team staff. I am doing this for myself. To enjoy football. To dominate. Let us see if I can keep control of my emotions.
The pre game talk was along the same lines. This must be a sign.
"Remember guys, you're not under immense expectations. Hundreds of thousands of fans aren't hounding you to win something. You're still developing. Yes, we would like to win things, and yes the pressure is good and the practical experience is the best teacher, but we would also like to see you enjoy football. That's why we never put extra pressure on you. Even after the last match, did anyone say anything after the defeat? I know that most of you would like to win things. And that's preferable to losing. But, you cannot let that pressure and negativity drive you. Find the joy in playing football. Wins come along when you play fully with your heart. We're just here to guide you. Go out there and do what you do best."
That's in sync with what my parents have said. That's what I have thought about as well. Everyone relaxed a bit after that pre match talk, but captain Adrian had the floor.
"Whatever the coach had said doesn't mean that you get to relax in the middle. If I see anyone not giving their full effort today, we'll have a problem. I want to win. We will enjoy football. But first we win. Once we secure the win, only then do we relax"
He was still serious. And he had a point. I didn't want people to drop their guard either.
We had a packed ground today. And all 700 people sounded like they were there to lend extra support. They were the 12th man. It felt nice.
As expected, Vasco started with 3-5-2. Unlike last time, we were ready this time. We were composed and within 15minutes, it started to show results. Our midfield overwhelmed them, and their wing backs couldn't keep up. The space left by them in attack is being explored by us. They couldn't attack as expected and we took advantage of it.
Carlos and Diego were on fire today. It felt like they needed to vent out some stuff as well. Carlos made a fantastic run along the edge in the 22nd minute. With three players trying to close him down, he sent a brilliant cross into my feet. He executed it perfectly and I did not need to do much. I wasn't being hounded, so I was in acres of space. So, I controlled the ball calmly and from just inside the box, went for the shot. The goal keeper didn't even move. The ball smashed into the top left corner.
I jumped with joy and immediately ran to find Carlos. It was as much his goal as mine. His run, and the brilliant cross were what made the goal possible.
Then in the 36th minute, Diego went on a solo run and scored a screamer from 40 yards.
I had a shot that was saved with a spectacular dive by their keeper.
I put in a cross from a corner and that header should have gone in front of Adriano. But, it hit the top of the cross bar and ended up being cleared.
But, one thing was for sure. There was only one team that looked like they would score. It wasn't the visiting team. Other than the first 10minutes when they made their runs, they were never in the match.
By half time, they were tired, trying to keep up with our runs. Demoralised with the score. I had three shots on target. One goal. Should have had three assists.
We were happy. We were happy with the way we played. We were happy with the scoreline. We didn't want any surprises. The coach stressed it. That we continue this way in the second half. No changes.
They went back to 4-4-2 in the second half. They wanted to change things. But, we switched between 4-2-3-1 and 4-3-3 and we were playing the best football we have played in a while.
The coach's words rang in everyone's ears. "Enjoy the game." That's exactly what we did. We put on an exhibition. The scoreline might not reflect it, because Vasco were a very good team and when they wanted to defend, they left no gaps.
By the 70th minute, they were tired. And the coach made the changes. For a change, he didn't sub me or Diego out. We stayed in the middle. Carlos and Adriano came off. Made way to Oscar and Luis.
The new legs did the extra work for us, they took on defenders and their coach was a bit late in making their substitutions.
In the 76th minute, Diego and I played beautiful football. We passed the ball between us continuously and once he reached into the box, he sent a backheel pass to me, which I took it in stride and finished it off into the bottom right.
I returned the favour in the 82nd minute, I put in a crossfield pass from 55 yards out. He dribbled past 3 players and scored a fantastic goal. He just passed the ball into the goalpost.
This wasn't just a good performance. This was a statement. Statement to the others. Statement to the opposition who have sent scouts to report back to them. "Watch out! We're back and we're back with a force"
We won the match comfortably 4-0. I had two goals and an assist. Diego had two goals and an assist. We were into the semi finals. The other quarterfinals match concluded yesterday. We shall be facing Cruzerio.
Once the match was done and while going back. The coach stopped Diego and I. And he asked us to get our parents. We didn't know what was happening, but we went to the stands and my parents were surprised as well. But, they came along.
My mom had a smile on her face. She kissed me on my head and just said "I'm so proud of you Ricardo"
When my mom calls me Ricardo, it is either because I am in trouble or because she is immensely emotional. Taking in the moment, I just put my arms around her and hugged her close to me. These are the reasons why they called me a mama's boy. And I didn't care. I would shout it from the rooftops myself. I was not embarrassed by her public show of affection. She's my mom. She earned it.
Once we reached the dugout, we saw that the coach was talking to two people. Noticing our approach, they stopped their conversation and the coach made the introduction.
" Guys, these are Mr. Martin and Mr. Costa. They're with the Brazilian football federation. They are the scouts for the U20 team. I'll let them talk to you and explain what's happening."
We were all very surprised. We didn't expect this.
"Mr. Leite, Mr. De Souza. Nice to meet you. It was a really nice performance out there"
I came to my senses first.
"Thanks Mr. Costa. Nice to meet you as well. . We were just playing football and enjoying ourselves. The result just happened. Call me Kaká. Mr. Leite is the old man behind me."
He bellowed out a loud laugh.
"Kaka it is then. We were there at the first leg as well. We were there to scout some players from Vasco da Gama. But, to our surprise, we noticed you two guys. You were not on our radar because we never watched the U17 games. And you guys jumped some levels. We were very impressed the last time and we made the journey to see you guys and see how you play. And it was worth it. You guys were brilliant out there"
Then Mr. Martinez chimed in.
"With the world cup coming soon, we need to finalise our squad soon and we would like to talk to you and your parents about extending an invitation to the training camp in July. We would have some legal work to be completed, since you're only 16 and 17. We would like to schedule a meeting for next Sunday. We will be here, to discuss what this entails and what are the things you need to complete from your end. Take your time to think about this, this comes with added responsibilities and added game time. So, talk to your coaches and discuss as a family and we should be good for the meeting on Sunday"
Here I was worrying about asking the coaches about the recruitment process and through a stroke of luck, it fell right in front of us. What wonderful news! So I said "I think I can speak for both of us, there is no way we will ever reject an opportunity like this. If I did, this woman behind me would kill me. Resurrect me from the dead and kill me again. Seeing me wear the Brazilian colors is her dream. So, count us in. We will talk with coaches about the formalities, and we will be there. I cannot find words to express how happy I am. This is the best news I have received all year! Thank you! Thank you so much!"
Diego was still in a daze and he just said "Yeah, what he said"
I liked it that they addressed us kids and not our parents. They talked to us first. They called our parents to be the witness to the conversation but we mattered. That made me happy! If this is the way they are going to treat us kids, I have high hopes for the national camp.
It was then that they went into detail about the national camp and the schedule and all with our parents. They wanted to know about our citizenship status, passports, legal issues etc. They said that they will conduct a background verification and character verification and all that stuff.
We knew we would clear all of them. If not, I am not above paying some bribes. I am not one to play by the rulebook and I will take every advantage I can. I will not outright cheat, but if bribing someone eases my troubles? Hell yeah!
What a wonderful day! A brilliant win. An enjoyable performance. And now the national team calls up.
I caught the end of their conversation, they were saying that it isn't a done deal, and that we aren't confirmed spots in the final squad. We are being invited to the camp and based on our performance and work ethic, they would make the choice.
My mom was crying already. Diego's father was no better. My dad had the biggest smile on his face. Diego and I couldn't stop smiling either.
Seeing all our faces, they just laughed. Shook their heads and asked us to be ready for more details on Sunday.
Once they left us, we joined in a group hug and just jumped around in joy. Coach Alfonso came back and he did not interrupt our impromptu celebration. He waited for us to finish and then he told the adults to drop by tomorrow for more information.
We picked up Digão, who couldn't make it to the match today, and went to a nice French restaurant.
What a lovely end to a lovely day! Absolutely amazing. I cannot wait for Sunday to come.
Author's Notes:
Pace will be picking up from now. First team call up soon, 1998 world cup, and then the U20 world cup, Olympics.
I want to have some time skips and not concentrate on too many matches at the first team level this year. I will write about some important matches next season and the tournaments.
Let me know what you think.
Please leave a review or comment on the stuff you think I should improve upon. What do you want to see more? Games? Personal outings?
Romance will come after he is 18. I don't want to touch it now.
Let me know what you want to see the next.