The dryness of the air, the silhouette of the Arabian mountains, the unusual heat you get without the sweat. It was 6: pm, the sunset could be viewed from the back house windows as it slowly but surely disappeared from the grasps of the sea. We (Nehe and the author) had just arrived in Muscat, Oman where it would be our temporary homes for 3 nights and 4 days.
A burst of panic struck as we got packed and ready to meet the boys (Boys SAISA Football team) at the host school (The American International School of Muscat). Today was to be the first day, the day which kicks off the whole tournament for us. Either it starts with success or disappointment. Our test began with a close neighbor of Sri Lanka, The American International School of Chennai. Underestimation proved to be one of our loose bolts that broke our game. We were down 2-1 by the final score. We had thought since we had won last years game against them that this game would be ‘easy’ and end with the same results however, that was not the case. The lesson needed to be learned quickly for our next game of the day against Lincoln School of Kathmandu.
With underestimation now thrown out the window, we played with a lot more grit and determination. We fought every ball that was thrown into the air. Passing would be an element that was improving by games and scoring seemed not a problem as we were able to score 3 goals. Due to disorganization and miscommunication, the Lincoln School started off strong and netted 2 goals by the first half which ended as too far of a reach for us to come back. The well-battled game ended 5-3, Lincoln School.
The second day would be one of those magical games that you only dream off. It would be the day of OSC’s greatest ever comeback. Our first match, ACS (American Community School of Jordan), we had been slightly feeling set-back from the 2 losses the day earlier, however, that was not all we thought we had. The game began, surprisingly we were starting off with the lead through a header. 1-0. A mistake from the opponent’s defense cost them a penalty, and with no second thoughts, Dominic Harding scored the second goal for the Geckos. 2-0, and it was half time.
Tension started to build up for the Geckos with just 15 minutes into the second half one player (Caleb) from ACS has scored 3 goals, just with his head!. Down 2-3. Hope seemed to be forgotten as their 4th goal came after the defense switched off after a steaming start in the first half. 2-4. Everyone was down, including myself, all that was in my head was a loss, this had to be another loss. Miraculously, it proved that miracles do come true. It started with an amazing swing of the right boot from Lukas around 20 yards away. 3-4. We were exuberant, a flame was lit and it could not be contained. Like wildfire, we drove this game till the wire. True grit was experienced by all who were watching the game. Luck was on our side, as a throw-in scrambled its way through the legs of multiple defenders into the feet of Dominic Harding once more, who slotted another goal home for the Geckos. 4-4. 3 minutes left on the clock, sweat, blood didn’t stop this team from giving up and being satisfied for anything. 5-4. Dominic Harding, a hat-trick well deserved. No words could describe the mix of emotions that were expressed by the boys. It was beautiful and magical to see what football can do, what we can do. Just never give up. As simple as that.
The day ended not as memorable as the game, however, we knew that if we went home losing all the next games that we would always have this, what we did and should be really proud about that. COYG! (GECKOS not GUNNERS btw) 🙂