It was 1-0 to RJC. We had scored through a slip-up at the goal-keeping area in the first set and maintained our slight advantage over defending champions powerhouse MJC through the second set. It is clear to both sides of observers that the teams are complementary in skills and well-matched, for what one side has in skill, the other would make up for it with speed and dexterity.
Recognizing the lethal ability of the MJ team to score (for they had previously scored 30 goals in the previous 6 matches, with ~80% of the goals coming from one person, according to Raj!), the RJ team pressed on for the second goal that will place them at a more comfortable position.
All around, spectators watched the match with bated breath and glazed fascination as the syzygy of play at breakneck pace, unrelenting determination of the intrepid players as well as the sporadic moments of brilliance conspired to mesmerize all who were watching. The ball was travelling so fast that there were times you could hardly make out the trajectory of it! Add to that the fact that it was the final set with 15 minutes left and you could already imagine the tangible texture of the electrifying atmosphere.
And it was under such constrains and play at a frenetic pace that our dearest friend scored a stunning shot that eluded the MJ 'keeper! It was so unexpected, so beautiful, and so Raj-esque that us scouties simply could not contain our excitement, joy and exuberant praises for Raj! haha I don't think anybody had anticipated the goal at all - Raj was just travelling down the lane with the ball and most people might have anticipated a pass from the right flank to the left to set up an opportunity to score. But, as he had told us after the match, out of the corner of his eyes he saw a slight gap for him to exploit, and with a true striker's instinct, he hesitated no more and shot. And he got it.
It was a fantastic moment and we couldn't be happier for our friend. Furthermore, scoring the second goal at such a late stage of the game buoyed our chances for yet another gold to add to our already-amazing tally of 19 golds this year!
The game continued at an even faster pace, if possible. At one period of time, MJ played a highly-risky strategy and sent all five men out to the scoring field, replacing their keeper with another player! Somewhere amidst the chaos of the play, the MJ players managed to slot in an unstoppable goal to set up a tense finale with less than 5 minutes left to play.
Many a times the rushed intake of breath could almost be heard as we witness how close the other side had come to scoring, but it didn't matter for the whistle was soon blown, and the match ended 2-1 to RJC!!!
It was such a surreal and amazing experience to cheer your friend on and watch him score the deciding goal in such stunning fashion. How many people ever gets to live their dream in such authenticity and vividness? Placed into perspective by Raj's awesome goal, friends and I concurred that it is a clear epitome of how dreams can come true - if you invest your wholesome passion and belief in your team, in yourself.
Dreams can come true for everyone, but it is in such a context where others might view as insignificant that continue to inspire others around, and continue to push us towards achieving our own dreams.
I think Dennis puts it the most aptly when he commented, "The smallest man scored the biggest goal." That such a case of fairytale ending is manifest in our everyday occurrences just goes to show that we should not stop believing in what may seem impossible. After all, the only way of discovering the limits of the possible is by going beyond them into the impossible.
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