El Periodico del Futbol
Chicago and Evanston, Monday February 21, 2010
Joga Bonito got some competition!
Hi there my fellow soccer lovers! I know some of you are busy so I will make this short and painless.
Let’s get to the point, Joga Bonito got some competition! I knew that the BuckyBalls were a good competition for Joga Bonito but did not know that they would be so good. Yesterday’s game was amazing. It was the best game I have seen in a long time. Joga Bonito had some disadvantages as Pablo was missing, Rolando and Antonio are coming back from knee injuries and Carlos is coming back from the flu. Still, Joga Bonito squad was very strong yesterday and they showed tremendous character. Still I had to talk to Manager Carlos Quintero about his opinion on the game because obviously Joga Bonito were favorites to win. He shared the following comments:
“Listen, it is not a surprise that other teams are stronger than last year. Joga Bonito is not invincible. We are here to play well and my players gave an amazing performance yesterday. I am very proud of them. We welcome competition. I had a lot of fun yesterday. It was the best game I have seen in a while.”
I know, I know. You are dying to know what happened during the game. Ok, let me tell you. Bucky Balls immediately began attacking and showed Joga Bonito that they were not the same team from last season. They had a very good player who dribbled, shot and scored in the 5th minute. You could see that Joga Bonito was shocked. Joga Bonito began loosing 0-1. They realized that this game was not going to be easy and they would have to fight for a win. Carlos took a couple of strong shots that the goalie was able to save with some difficulty. Mauricio’s night was also very busy as he saved JB in various occasions. They became extra focused and in the 15th minute Joga Bonito’s #9 Ernie tied the game with a beautiful strong shot that the goalie could not hold. The half time buzzer went off and the game was 1-1. Manager Carlos shared a few words of encouragement as so did Rolando and Antonio. Joga Bonito was ready to back on the court. You could see that Captain Carlos was running out of air and fighting his congestion. Antonio and Rolando were trying to be careful with their knees as well.
The second half began tense. Neither team wanted to allow a goal. Defenders were extra focused. Keith, Alicinha, Antonio, Shand and Lovejoy were giving some of the best defending performance I have seen in a while. Both teams took great shots and both goalies saved again and again. Strikers were frustrated. Then, in the 7th minute, the Bucky Balls found the net again with a great shot. Joga Bonito was shocked again. Joga Bonito is loosing 1-2. But they did not give up. They fought and hustled. Finally, in the 12th minute, Rolando passed the ball to Keith who was near the corner kick. Keith was able to set Carlos for a shot. The captain drove that ball with everything in his power and the ball found the top right corner net! Joga Bonito ties the game again 2-2. Later, in the 16th minute, Joga Bonito’s #7 Rolando received the ball in the middle. He covered the ball well with his body and was able to turn, dribble a player, shoot and score! Joga Bonito is in the lead for the first time 3-2! The next 9 minutes probably felt like an eternity. I am sure JB wanted the game to end. However, BB was not done yet. Both teams began committing more fouls. They did not want to allow any goals. In the 22nd minute BB found a ball in the middle and was able to squeeze at the bottom right of the net. BB ties the game again 3-3. The next 3 minutes were beyond intense. You could see neither team wanted to loose. Both teams tightened their defense. Shots were taken unsuccessfully. The final buzzer went off and the game ended 3-3! Wow! What a game. I can see this season is going to be more exciting as Joga Bonito as more competition.
Player of the match: Mauricio Pumarejo
It was hard to select a most valuable player because I feel the entire team game all their might. However, I must say Mauricio had a busy night at the goal. Yes, he did receive 3 goals, but he saved many more than that. Every time he allowed a goal you could see he was beating the floor angry at himself for not been able to stop the ball. He is one of those few goalies who hates allowing a goal even if it is not his fault. Joga Bonito is very fortunate to have Mau as their goalie.
Chicago and Evanston, Monday February 21, 2010
Joga Bonito got some competition!
Hi there my fellow soccer lovers! I know some of you are busy so I will make this short and painless.
Let’s get to the point, Joga Bonito got some competition! I knew that the BuckyBalls were a good competition for Joga Bonito but did not know that they would be so good. Yesterday’s game was amazing. It was the best game I have seen in a long time. Joga Bonito had some disadvantages as Pablo was missing, Rolando and Antonio are coming back from knee injuries and Carlos is coming back from the flu. Still, Joga Bonito squad was very strong yesterday and they showed tremendous character. Still I had to talk to Manager Carlos Quintero about his opinion on the game because obviously Joga Bonito were favorites to win. He shared the following comments:
“Listen, it is not a surprise that other teams are stronger than last year. Joga Bonito is not invincible. We are here to play well and my players gave an amazing performance yesterday. I am very proud of them. We welcome competition. I had a lot of fun yesterday. It was the best game I have seen in a while.”
I know, I know. You are dying to know what happened during the game. Ok, let me tell you. Bucky Balls immediately began attacking and showed Joga Bonito that they were not the same team from last season. They had a very good player who dribbled, shot and scored in the 5th minute. You could see that Joga Bonito was shocked. Joga Bonito began loosing 0-1. They realized that this game was not going to be easy and they would have to fight for a win. Carlos took a couple of strong shots that the goalie was able to save with some difficulty. Mauricio’s night was also very busy as he saved JB in various occasions. They became extra focused and in the 15th minute Joga Bonito’s #9 Ernie tied the game with a beautiful strong shot that the goalie could not hold. The half time buzzer went off and the game was 1-1. Manager Carlos shared a few words of encouragement as so did Rolando and Antonio. Joga Bonito was ready to back on the court. You could see that Captain Carlos was running out of air and fighting his congestion. Antonio and Rolando were trying to be careful with their knees as well.
The second half began tense. Neither team wanted to allow a goal. Defenders were extra focused. Keith, Alicinha, Antonio, Shand and Lovejoy were giving some of the best defending performance I have seen in a while. Both teams took great shots and both goalies saved again and again. Strikers were frustrated. Then, in the 7th minute, the Bucky Balls found the net again with a great shot. Joga Bonito was shocked again. Joga Bonito is loosing 1-2. But they did not give up. They fought and hustled. Finally, in the 12th minute, Rolando passed the ball to Keith who was near the corner kick. Keith was able to set Carlos for a shot. The captain drove that ball with everything in his power and the ball found the top right corner net! Joga Bonito ties the game again 2-2. Later, in the 16th minute, Joga Bonito’s #7 Rolando received the ball in the middle. He covered the ball well with his body and was able to turn, dribble a player, shoot and score! Joga Bonito is in the lead for the first time 3-2! The next 9 minutes probably felt like an eternity. I am sure JB wanted the game to end. However, BB was not done yet. Both teams began committing more fouls. They did not want to allow any goals. In the 22nd minute BB found a ball in the middle and was able to squeeze at the bottom right of the net. BB ties the game again 3-3. The next 3 minutes were beyond intense. You could see neither team wanted to loose. Both teams tightened their defense. Shots were taken unsuccessfully. The final buzzer went off and the game ended 3-3! Wow! What a game. I can see this season is going to be more exciting as Joga Bonito as more competition.
Player of the match: Mauricio Pumarejo
It was hard to select a most valuable player because I feel the entire team game all their might. However, I must say Mauricio had a busy night at the goal. Yes, he did receive 3 goals, but he saved many more than that. Every time he allowed a goal you could see he was beating the floor angry at himself for not been able to stop the ball. He is one of those few goalies who hates allowing a goal even if it is not his fault. Joga Bonito is very fortunate to have Mau as their goalie.
And remember… love the game and the game will love you back!
Carlos Quintero
Journalist Wannabe
El Peridico del Futbol
Carlos Quintero
Journalist Wannabe
El Peridico del Futbol
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