11 a side Game of 12 Nations

Players from 12 nationalities gathered together this past Saturday to have some fun playing an 11 a side social soccer game. The group was happy to welcome 5 new players to the diverse group: student Niklas from Germany, Alejandro and Pepe from Peru (the first players of the group that are from Peru), traveller Josh from England and central defender Julián from Bogotá, Colombia.

The players where split into a green and a black team. Team green played with one player less. But it seems like it did not effect the team. They played in a 4-4-1 formation, while team black played in a conventional 4-4-2 formation:

Diego (MX)

Adrián (MX) – Hector (SV) – Alejandro (PE) – Pepe (PE)

Niklas (GER) – Kim (GER) – Mathieu (FR) – Andrew (US)

Selim (FR) – Alex (ESP)

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Edward (KEN)

Josh (ENG) – Jonny (ENG) – Marcello (BRA) – Elias (MX)

Hazael (MX) – Pablo (FR) – Julián (CO) – Mati (ARG)

Banano (MX)

Couch Manni-Mourinho and assistant Jake couldn’t make it to the game. They seemed to have gotten in trouble with FIFA…

Jonny scores the first Goal

Anyways, after the kick-off both teams took the initiative right away. They tried to not leave much time and space for the opposite team. Moctezuma organized the game of team green well from the center back position, making a sneaky run through the center of the pitch once in a while when the situation allowed it. Team black’s game was mainly focused on getting striker Alex and Selim into the game, letting them handle the magic. With the defenders from Peru (Pepe and Alejandro), El Salvador (Hector) and Mexico (Adrián), the defence was quite stable.

Midfielder Jonny scored the first goal of the game taking advantage of some confusion in the defense of team black. He conquered the ball and pushed the ball into the goal while goalkeeper Diego was still trying to get back into the goal. Now the atmosphere of Benito Juarez Arena in the center of Mexico City got electric. Team black was pushing for the equilizer with some wild but unlucky attempts. One of the attempts however worked out quite well. Selim got the ball about 20 meters before the box and saw his French country man Mathieu making a run. Selim elegantly passed the ball to Mathieu over the defense of team green. Mathieu was in front of the goal by himself and hammered the ball into the right upper corner of the goal. A world class goal. Even goalkeeper Banano had no chance to touch the ball.

Moctezuma with solo run

Then it was time for the half time break. Something sacret for the referee. He took the chance to eat 3 big macs and some fries. While both teams where ready to play after the 5 minute break the referee was still finishing the last big mac. Around 3 minutes later he finally came out to the pitch to start the second half.

Manuel Lozano came in for newcomer Pepe who injured himself in the first half. We hope it is nothing serious. 10 minutes into the game center back Moctezuma had his great moment. He decided to make another run from the defense, nut-megging one player, passing 2 more players and taking a shot from about 30 meter. Due to the wet surface it was a dangerous shot, underestimated by keeper Adrián, 1:2 for team green.

Team Black turns the Game around – Alex with 40 meter Goal

Once again team black had to try to come back. And they did! Selim cleverly fell in the box when defender Julián left his leg out a bit too long. Selim took the resulting penalty himself and hammered it into the net.

Just when both teams thought the 2:2 would be the final result striker Alex from Spain had a different idea. He got the ball around 40 meters in front of the goal of Banano. As crazy as he is Alex thought he could take a shot. His precise shot landed right below the goal bar, unstoppable for Banano. Another amazing goal from another high potential player.

Therefore, team black finished with a lucky 3:2 victory against team green that seemed to have one player less. A great effort nevertheless of team green putting in everything what it takes. The new players integrated well into the team and were major contributors for the competitive game that both teams played.

MVP: Moctezuma

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* thanks to photographer Fabi for the great illustrations

* next Saturday team Jakeventus aka Mannichester City might have the revenge game against a Mexican All Star team captained by Hazael aka Mammado