Cheery Blossom Football

Mitsubishi Elevator 4 - 4 British Embassy

Although there have been numerous games recorded in BEFC annals where the team has under-performed against less than stellar opposition, for this particular Sunday it was time to start an entirely new chapter. So inconsistent and disorganised were this particular BEFC line-up that anyone watching the match would've thought that this was the first time any of us had played together and some might argue that the score-line might even have been a little generous in our favour.

The setting on this sparkling spring Sunday was nearly impeccable. The pitch - a private one owned by the Mitsubishi Electric Service Training Centre - was a smooth, grassy affair with the traditional Japanese "baseball corners". The cherry blossoms were also in full bloom around the periphery of the pitch and perhaps this pink blanket was part of the reason for BEFC's laid-back approach to this game.

After about 90 minutes of "warm-up", i.e. taking turns to kick the ball at full pelt at the keeper, we were ready for kick-off, but with no ref and no linesmen. Professor Bacon's ankle had also had an altercation with the pitcher's mound prior to kick-off and wasn't really fit to play but bravely - and some would say foolishly - battled on. The Embassy started brightly enough with some decent passing play early on and about 10 minutes in got the opening goal. Tomo and Jules combined for a short corner, Tomo whipping the ball into the six-yard box and through a flurry of players the ball nestled inside the far post perhaps with the aid of a defender's toe. 1 - 0.

The Elevator boys clearly had some talented players - especially their influential no. 3 and the energetic midfielders 2 & 6 - but the BEFC pressure continued and not soon after the reds notched up a second. A poor backpass from the right back from the goal-line left the keeper facing his own goal trying to control it but he could only poke it into his own net. 2 - 0.

Bacon, clearly struggling with his ankle, wisely decided to go off at this stage and the Embassy battled on with 10 men but in the confusion almost instantly conceded their first goal. A well-timed through-ball split the Embassy defense and the opposition striker finished well leaving keeper Nobby Fogarasi with little chance. There were some calls for offside, but since there were no linesmen or any referee, it became a moot point. 2 - 1.

It didn't take long for Mitsubishi to get level. A jet-lagged Al-boy, not exactly having the game of his life and possibly distracted by his evening plans, managed to beat the Embassy keeper while trying to get the ball to safety. Unfortunately, it bobbled tantalisingly towards the back of the net and although Norbert the Mighty Magyar (TM) tracked back furiously, the ball trickled into our own net. 2 - 2.

BEFC, now somewhat panic stricken, decided to get back into the match. With only a handful of minutes left of the first half Hani was put through on the left and, because of a few opposition calls for offside and defenders slowing down, was given plenty of time to calmly slot the ball home.
Half Time: 3 - 2.

At half-time Flynn, the Captain, gave everyone a good bollocking - including himself - and BEFC were determined not to let this one slip away. The second half started with 11 on each team again but Bacon was now moving very gingerly and was in truth no good to the team despite his best efforts. He went off after few minutes along with Al-boy who was put out of his [largely self-inflicted] misery when he pulled his hamstring. Mitsubishi quickly got the equaliser thanks to a comedy of errors by the goalkeeper and BEFC defenders - some of which seemed on holiday for large periods of this game. Nobby claims it bounced on the pitcher's mound, others claims it went under him - either way, the Embassy were now on the ropes. 3 - 3.

The 9-man Embassy team now sported a 4-2-2 formation with only Williams and Bystedt in midfield, with Court having dropped to right back. Both teams were getting very tired but the longer the game wore on the stronger the Embassy side looked. This was the moment when Flynn decided to score what will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the goals of the season. A deep cross is swung in and Flynn timed his movement to perfection and swung a vicious right-foot at the ball a full 35 yards away from goal, the ball dipping beautifully mere inches under the crossbar and easily beating the stranded keeper. Unfortunately, it was our keeper... o.g. 3 - 4.

In the final 15 minutes BEFC desperately scrambled for the equaliser and were pushing forward as much as is possible with 9 vs. 11 men. Several good chances went begging due to some poor final balls and sloppy through-passes. Bystedt had a shot from 20-yards which dissapointingly found the crossbar. With about 60 seconds remaining on the clock the breakthrough came. Williams playing a one-two with Bystedt then running effortlessly past a couple of defenders and tucking his shot inside the far post. Vintage Willams.
Full-time: 4 - 4.

Team: Flynn, Spivey, Sendo, Flett, Bystedt, Williams, Sakihana, Bacon, Shalabi, Court.
Man of the Match: Jules Court for tireless running and a solid contribution up front as well as in defence.
Dick of the Day: Alister Flett for a jet-lagged performance that featured some rugby-like kicking to touch in the first half and fierce self-directed verbal abuse throughout.