This year for SAISA girls’ soccer 2019, we travelled to Bombay India to participate in the tournament alongside seven other teams. This year was different to other soccer seasons, since we were travelling with a brand-new team, new coaches and I was co-captain. We all entered the tournament with a positive attitude but none of us were certain as to how we would end up performing. I was confident and believed that the girls had it within them to perform their absolute best, from watching their performance in games throughout the season. There was a lot of pressure, especially since we came third last year. I felt great about the team and the attitude we all carried when it came to the sport.

We played quite a lot of games. All in the scorching sun of India, but our passion drove us to continue and push our bodies to carry out throughout the entirety of the game. Soccer is a mental game, I had to remind myself of my abelites and the satisfaction that comes with hard work. It was important to maintain the mental perseverance I had when playing home games. Though I felt this internally and struggled at times to control, I was certain the other girls were doubting themselves, stressed, angered and discouraged at times. As one of the captains and a member of the team, it was important to me that each of the girls maintained their composer and played their absolute best. Which is why, during each game I was constantly, telling the girls what to do, where to be and that they can do it. Since we play in silence, it is easy to get caught up in their own thoughts. These may not always be positive and through experience, I knew that some support is all that is needed. It was difficult as I had to be strong for the team and talk to them though I was drained of energy. But the difference in their performance was evident, so I constantly made the effort to keep up the high energy.

Before every game, we listened to music, lathered up in sunscreen and did each others hair. We expressed our stresses and comforted each other when it came to our doubts. Before two of the most important games, I gave the girls a pep talk. To reassure them of their abilities and to remind of the reason they play the sport to begin with. As the pre game nerves, can make them forget their foundations. It was a role I had to take on as co captain. The girls needed the support. I remember when I as freshmen playing, that was one of the things I wished my captain did. I understand the insecurities that the girls might have with themselves, that any athlete has when they are about to play an important game. If they were not reassured of their capabilities they might have not performed as well. Confidence was what allowed the other teams to succeed. I attempted to constantly plant this seed in them.

Our first game was against the American International School of Dhaka (AISD). We lost against them 2 – 0. In the last moments of the game. Then we proceeded to play, American Community School of Jordan (ACS) we lost against them 1 – 2. Then we played the American International School of Chennai (AISC), we beat them 4 – 1. This win allowed us to proceed to the semifinals. In which was played The American School of Muscat (TAISM), this game determined if we would proceed to the finals. The game ended up going to over time, in which they shot during the second quarter of over time. This game was the most physically challenging as we played a total of 80 minutes of nonstop soccer. We then went to fight for third and fourth place, ironically, we played the same game we played last year against Lincoln School of Nepal (LS). It went into penalties, as there was not enough time to go into overtime. This was probably the most challenging part of the tournament mentally, as there was immense amount of pressure of the penalty takers to make the goal. I was one of the penalty takers. I was willing to take our team to victory, but I was extremely stressed and wanted to make my girls proud. I placed the ball, took a moment to pray and positioned myself to take the shot. I felt ready and ran for the shot, unfortunately I missed the shot. As the shot was not curved enough. My eyes started to burn, but I wanted to stay strong and keep a strong mentality for the girls. But the minute the last LS girl took her penalty, they won.

The referee blew his whistle twice, I knew the game was over, I broke down, I was wailing on my teammate’s shoulder. I felt like I let my team down, myself down and most importantly my coach down. It was an unexplainable feeling; I wanted to redo the penalty and have the adrenaline feeling of victory running through my veins. Instead, I was stuck with defeat and shame. This moment was the lowest I had been all season; it was a moment which really demonstrated the bigger picture for life. That you might work hard, put in all your energy and it might not end up working out in the end. Failure. The one thing that works up my anxiety in class and on the field, I was face to face with it. It was bitter, but it was a revelation of a moment. That allowed me to grow as not only a player, but a person. If it weren’t for that moment, the fear of failure would always reside within me. It can be hard, when you are a perfectionist and only aim to achieve the best. However, the reality is different, not everything works out. I was crying, as my anxieties were peaking and I was reflecting on the moment in which I missed my penalty. Then my coach, came and embraced me to comfort me when I was at my lowest. He then proceeded to explain this concept to me. It hit me hard and I really understood what he was saying, as I could think of moments in my life where this fear was subsided. This season was as amazing as it was, thanks to my coach, Mr. O’Sullivan. He really supported me and understood me in ways I could not explain to others. Especially when he told me how proud he was regardless and the bigger more important life lesson I should take away from my failure. I was given this amazing opportunity and I know this moment will stick with me for life. I will always be grateful for this season and all that I learnt during it.

 

WE ARE PUMPED CAUSE WE ARE PITCH PERFECT! – girls soccer 2019