Adidas Uprising 2017

​I had just got back from the gym around 8 AM when my mother told me that she had sent me an email. After munching on a heavenly English breakfast, I opened the mail.

The mail contained information regarding Adidas Uprising and fortunately, Bangalore was a venue for football. The last time I had participated in an Adidas Uprising was in 2015 with my own club, Red Phoenix, where we finished a disappointing second. The hurtful memory of finishing second sparked a fire inside me which made me want to win that much more.

I was really glad I was getting to play with few of my former teammates. Our charismatic leader, Jana, my favourite midfield partner, Karan. With Yashu covering defence and Mohit, Rohan, Ani backing us up with Nishant on goal, we knew that we have a very strong side.

'2:45 PM 18th Nov- Nights Watch Vs PCF Field 4 Turf Park, Koramangala' read the fixtures list. We started the game with a bang. Even though it had been a while since all of us played together, it didn't seem that way. The team was in sync. Every player knew what they had to do. We kept the ball, crisp passes, incisive through balls, composed defending, you name it, we did it.

I received the ball just ahead of half line and looked up to spot options. With no success, I carried the ball in my stride and pushed forward. I unleashed a shot after creating enough space. Deflection. Goal! Scenario! 1-0 up and an entire game to play. Karan soon added one more goal and we were cruising. Still, on my high after scoring, I tried another run. Only this time, I was tackled, beaten and next thing you know, it's 2-1. They soon equalised but our strike force in Jana was too much to handle as we eventually won the game 3-2.

Our second match was against a youthful and energetic side. Again, just like that last game, we kept the ball and waited to find space. Which we did, with quite some ease as I scored one and so did Jana. The final scoreline read a comfortable 2-0 victory for Nights Watch. Onto the quarterfinals.

The next round of fixtures took place on the 19th. After a good night's rest, I was raring to go. Our quarterfinals were against a side that we knew we were going to belt. It was just a question of how ruthless we were going to be. A splendid piece of passing led to our first goal. A quick-fire equaliser brought us back to Earth and we now knew we had to step it up. After a few substitutions, the opposition didn't know what hit them. The fresh burst of energy Nishant, Mohit, Rohan and Anirudh were providing was out of this world. Everyone was combining really well and that patience eventually paid off when we scored two more to end the match 3-1.

Turf Park, Koramangala.

Only two matches stood between me and that coveted title. I knew that we had a really great chance of winning the entire tournament. But I didn't want to think more about winning the title and jinxing it, so I carried on concentrating only at the match in hand.

Our opposition had one player from our university team. We had discussed beforehand itself that we cannot afford to give Dominic any space or he will make us pay.

Both the teams looked fit and ready to go. Personally, I felt that the opposition was slightly intimidated by us. We seemed to be oozing out class. We had developed a sense of invisibility during the course of this tournament and I guess we proved to the world that we were the best team that tournament. That match, although a blur, was a really intense match. Intense in the sense, every player of ours had a shot on goal. Attempt after attempt, we started to find more space. One by one, we started converting our chances as well. Soon, the scoreboard read 4-0 and we were well on our way to the finals!

The team we faced in the final seemed to be a team filled with localites who knew the referees who also seemed to be localites. Paying no heed to that prior the match, we got into the field with a lot of confidence. We were the top scoring side of the tournament so far, we had most of the ball possession in every match we had played yet. Statistically, Nights Watch was destined to win Adidas Uprising.

As expected, we dominated proceedings from the start. A ball was played into me by Nishant, I looked up and spotted Karan making a run behind the defenders. I played a lofted through ball which landed perfectly for Karan, who faked a shot and deceived the goalie. The goalie dived and completely missed the ball. The ball I had played from close to my own goal had now turned into a goal for our team. However, almost instantly, we conceded. This shook us. Brushing that aside we pushed for more.

In a swift turn of events, they scored another and took the lead. Slowly, frustration started creeping in. Every player of the Nights Watch was nervous and desperate to win.

Rohan had committed himself to a tackle after which an opposition player kicked him on the thigh in the penalty area. As soon as this happened, I looked at the referee in hope he would blow for a penalty. Which he did! We had a chance to equalise! Jana, Karan and I got together in the middle of the pitch to discuss who would take the penalty. In the meanwhile, the opposition players spoke to the referee. The referee cancelled the penalty and made them continue the game, all while our team was discussing who should take the penalty. Next thing you know, it's 3-1. All of us were shell-shocked. The referee had stopped the game and pointed towards the penalty spot and had now suddenly changed his decision after a word with the opposition players.

Trophy cap will be gold next time.

We were now 3-1 down with very little time to go. Jana and I started making many runs and tried to belt in as many as we could. Sadly, nothing worked and they went on to win the tournament.

I jinxed it didn't I? :P

It was so sad. We knew we were the better side, but we also realized that a tad too much of confidence can also bring you down. The trophy and medal was beautiful, but silver has never been my number one preference, and this was a major let down.
On my way back home on the scooty, my mind was empty. I had nothing going through my head. There was a really gloomy mood when I entered home again that night. I wanted to win Adidas Uprising. I was so close to adding another gold to my collection but sometimes, things don't work out the way you want them to.

At the end of the day, I told myself that I won't rest until I have won this elusive tournament. So next year, whenever Adidas Uprising takes place again, I am going to be part of the winning side. And from the looks of it, the Nights Watch squad will just get better and appreciate in value.

Typical Jana.

I took back a lot with me. A few goals, a few assists, a reality check that we're still not the best we can be, a new sense of urgency to help me become the best and help my team cruise through any tournament.

Now that I look back, on the whole, it was a wonderful experience and I would love to cherish it as the Champions of Adidas Uprising.

In the words of Eric Thomas, "It is not over, until I win!"

Superleague & Best Player

Continuing from where I left off in the last post. It was Superleague time! This was the tournament which Christ organized for all the stand out players of the Pedagogic League.

A pool of around 400 plus players was now brought down to a mere 120 or so.

Majority of the big name players of the Nightswatch were selected for this, but surprisingly, Tushar's name wasn't included. The coach was apparently not impressed enough with his game. Mind you, this lad poured his living heart out onto the pitch and lay it all on the line for the team. I recall Jana making repeated efforts to reason it out with the coach to give Tushar a second chance. But that didn't work out.

Obviously, I wasn't for this in any which way. I told Tushar to sneak in from the back and join the group of 120. Come on, it was Tushar. Being the honest fellow he is, he initially declined, but I'm a really persistent guy so you can guess what happened. So there I was, sitting right at the back of the entire group with my roommate Tushar K Chand. And why we were sitting at the back was so that we wouldn't be spotted by any of the team captains except Jana. All the captains of all quarterfinalists of the Pedagogic League were now the new captains of the Superleague.

Now I know that I had played well, but I didn't know that I had played that well that other captains had noticed me. Honest to God (if there is one), I had never gotten into Christ football with the intention of being the best. I was just another player thoroughly enjoying his football. I was hoping that Jana would pick me again because I don't think that kind of understanding would have been formed again with another player.

Chilling at the back, I suddenly heard a loud roar, "AAANKIITT!" Instantly, I knew this had to be Neerman, a centre back from Mauritius pursuing his masters. My first reaction? I hid. What else could I do? Luckily for me, another player whose name in no way sounds like Ankit stood up and walked towards Neerman to which Neerman pointed him back to the group and told the HOD of the Sports Department who he wanted. I realized I couldn't hide anymore, so I got up and greeted my new captain. Disappointed, of course, but in a way, excited for what the future held.

Pirates!

I managed to get Tushar, Aayush, Mohit as well as Satvick to join me on the same team. (All four are now my flatmates by the way.) Neerman had assembled a squad which was extremely decent but the problem was, we didn't gel well enough. Rather, we didn't get the time to. But that's just an excuse. We were named the Pirates.

I was first picked for the second tournament in a span of two weeks. This time, not via luck, but hard work. We had another senior University player called Mahesh in our squad. Mahesh was one of the most hardworking players I have ever seen on a football pitch, whichever position you play him in, he would bring his all, the emotion, charisma he brings to the game is reminiscent of Cristiano Ronaldo. I went on to develop a very nice relationship as well as understanding with this man.

Matchday 1: It didn't start off well for us, Mahesha got red carded in the first minute itself for whacking Mukul on his calf for nutmegging him. He then went on to push the ref a bit which wasn't bound to serve him well either. Instantly, we were under immense pressure being a man down. I expected Neerman to lead from the front but he was also mentally disturbed as Mahesh was our most experienced player. I knew I had to do something, and that'ss when I took matters into my own hands. I started shouting, screaming, directing, instructing, you name it, I did it. I covered the entire field by myself, running up to support the attack to helping Satvick and Neerman at the back. Unfortunately, they managed to take advantage of the extra man by scoring two in quick succession. We pulled one back but that wasn't enough. The match ended 2-1 and even though I was complimented by almost everyone who watched the game, I didn't care, I was furious.

Matchday 2: Mahesha apologized for his wrongdoings and was permitted to grace the pitch again. This proved to be a major confidence boost for the team. I remember Mahesh came up to me personally and apologized. With our differences aside, we played the team which were destined to finish first in the tournament, the best team on paper, the all-stars. As soon as the game started, I made a darting through the centre of the field towards their goal. Advancing, I beat player after player. I faced two extremely strong defenders ahead, I 'megged one, carrying on my run, I then 'megged the other centre back as well and now was in on goal. And that was it, everything was set for me to finish when I blatantly skied the ball 5 stories high. And from there, the opposition grew from strength to strength, eventually scoring a goal. We managed to equalize through Abdel but that didn't prove to be enough as they created a beautiful goal which was unstoppable. Barcelona of 2011-12 would be proud of that move. We lost, but they deserved the win.

Matchday 3: We were up against the team which went on to win the entire league IBFC. Led by Shlok, they stamped their authority early on during the match by absolutely outclassing us with very intricate football. They had an extremely physical side and we did manage to give a really good fight but that was never going to prevent the inevitable. They scored one, then another. Both goals could have been prevented, but it was their day, everything went right for them. We had quite a few chances in the second half. I tried my level best to spur the team on to make a comeback but it was never quite enough. Shlok had created a really formidable side. We did put a fight after Aayush created this beautiful chance out of absolutely nothing, picking up the ball in the centre of the park and playing Varun in on goal who as expected finished the move very well with a goal. That remains to be Aayush's best assist ever, come to think of it, his only assist ever. :P

We had lost all three matches of the group stages. *Poof* Blew up the dream of winning two tournaments on the trot. Unhappy, of course, we went back home and didn't return to the football pitch. Not even to witness the rest of the tournament or even the final.

Best Player!

I was in college one day, heading back to my room after classes had ended when I received a text saying 'You were named best player.'
Rubbishing that thought, I carried on back to my room for a good afternoon nap. When I woke up, my phone had around 6 messages from different people congratulating me on being named the best player. I couldn't believe it, I told myself that the coach or someone must have made the statement that Ankit was the best player during the closing ceremony and that's what all the fuss is about. That's when Jana pinged me stating I was named best player of the Pedagogic League as well as the Superleague and that he had collected my trophy on my behalf and that I should come to the pitch to collect it. This was the first time ever in Christ football history that a first year was awarded the best player award for both, the Pedagogic and Superleague.

I was really surprised, I didn't feel my performance deserved it. Pedagogic? Probably. But even Superleague? No. We lost in the group stages itself.
As I made my way to the football field, I noticed how many people started recognizing me and congratulating me. I didn't expect this. Once I had reached, I was greeted by quite a few people, everyone was shaking my hand, I felt noticed, I felt special. The next person I met was Jana who handed over the trophy to me and said: "Don't doubt yourself, you deserve it."
The coach, Arun sir, then met me and told me that I was exactly the kind of player who he was looking for and that he would now select players for the university team who suited my style of play.

What? Where was all this coming from?

I went back home and sat by myself and thought. Looking back, in hindsight, I realized that yeah, I did play well, I gave my everything. Every time I walked out onto the pitch, I didn't think of my own personal gains, I was solely concentrating on winning the match for the team.

And that's when I learnt that if you are willing to lay it all out on the line for the team, hold nothing back, work your face off and express yourself on the pitch, you will be able to play the best football you have ever played.

After all, football is a team sport. And the name on the front of the shirt, the name of the team, matters more than the name at the back.

Pedagogic League 2016/17

D-Day!

It was team's selection day for the inaugural football tournament which kick-started the football season. There were over 400 people present, scattered all over the field. It was quite a sight. Frightening, but yet highly amusing and even more exciting.

I had a sick feeling in my stomach about these selections, as in, I felt I was not going to get picked, I would get a bad team or something negative was about to happen. Little did I know what lay ahead.

So the way the Pedagogic League worked was that its main objective was to give every single Christite a chance to showcase their abilities in front of everyone. That meant that everyone who wanted to kick a football or wanted to try their luck at the beautiful game was now given a platform. The Pedagogic league covered every sport played in Christ University.

Classic

We were made to stand according to our positions and the senior most players of the college were made team captains. They had to assemble a team of 18 from a pool of 400. Of these 400, they would have played with a maximum of 50 new faces because as you're a senior, you don't turn up for practice regularly. This is where my entire Christ life took a huge leap forward. 

His name was Jana. To date, the most influential person in my life as a Christite. I was lucky enough to have played with him once prior to the squad selections. There were a total of 21 team captains and Jana was given the pick number 16 through a random draw. All his first, second, third...., tenth choices were taken before he got make his first pick. I remember his face clearly, filled with utter disgust that this unfairness was being served upon him. He didn't know what to do and this was when he looked up and I caught his eye. And in that split second, I knew I was going to be his first pick. Although lucky, that he didn't have anyone else to pick, I was still named Jana's first choice.

He called out "Ankit!", I turned around to see if he was actually referring to me when he followed up, "Yes! YOU!" 

'Wow', I thought to myself, first pick. Not bad. This was the first time I spoke to the best captain i have ever played under, and I highly doubt I will encounter any other who will help me push myself to the limits he did. 

He started picking players when he turned to me and asked me if I knew any. Now I wanted all my best buds to play with me, that's when I made him select Tushy, Aaditya and Karan C. What followed was the making of history. 

Our team comprised of 16 players, 13 first years(what), two fourth years and one fifth-year Jana. We were already written off by everyone for being too young a squad, too inexperienced, too short, too small, too weak and God knows what not. But that's the thing, never write off anyone with a goal. 

Jana gave us the name of the Night's Watch, and the first day of the tournament was when our watch commenced.

We opted to play a 4-2-3-1 formation. Our goalkeeper, Vidit, who I was not really sure of in the beginning really proved me wrong. Vidit, who I feel is completely insane, put his life on the line for the ball and you can't ask for more from your keeper. Our defence, marshalled by two really tall and physically imposing centre-backs, Yashu and Aniket, both of whom played some really attractive and great football, putting their body on their line when needed, heading, fouling, clearing, you name it. Tremendous.

Our left back was Tushar, and I think this is where he really showed the world what he was capable of. 24x7 support, a never say die attitude and love for the game made us fall in love with this beautiful and elegant left back. Our right back was Sagar, not that gifted a player, but he is not someone you can outwork, always a hundred percent effort. Sometimes more.

The two centre defensive midfielders were Karan G and me. This partnership proved to be one of the best things that have ever happened to me on a football pitch. I have never come across another player who I can trust with protecting the back four, apart from myself. Karan was not a Messiesque player, not God gifted, but completely self-made. I really respect that man's work ethic on the pitch, something I think everyone should earn from.

The three attacking midfielders comprised of Jana, Varun and Hardik or Arvind. Varun was this really quick and offensive winger who made marauding run after marauding run. Tormenting every defence he was fielded against. Hardik and Arvind kept alternating but always tried to gain a stronghold over the right wing. They were not able to score many, but they were always there for support, constantly running, putting tackles in, covering for the rest. Sir Jana, elegant as always, led by example. He always put in a 110%, without fail. Up, down, sideways, he would run. Our captain Jana, he did this for fun. Together, the three of us, Karan, Jana and myself formed something I would go on to call the 'Holy Trinity' because if you play against three of us, I will personally guarantee it that you will not be noticed on the pitch.

Our striker, Mayank, a healthy, strong and extremely clinical striker was always there at the right time and the right places. He and I developed an instant connection which reaped dividends for the team. 

Matchday 1. 3-0. Right off the bat, we battered the opposition. Completely annihilated them, we outplayed them, outworked them and outclassed them. Mayank got off the mark instantly, so did Karan G and Varun. I was able to rack up two assists and that collective team effort set the tone for the entire tournament. 

Matchday 2. 4-0. We were cruising, the squad was gelling and a real family feel had started to generate all around. Everyone got to know each other, we started liking each other as people and that started to show on the pitch. We were really combining, making really good plays, long balls, short ones, quick one two's. You name it, we did it. Mayank was on the score-sheet again, so was Varun and this started to look like a competition within the team. Jana was able to get off the mark as well. Everything was going well.

From L to R- Karan C, Myself, Karan G and Tushar.

Matchday 3. 2-0. I think we got slightly complacent before this match due to our sky-high confidence. We were predicting the scorelines to be moving in arithmetic progression and we should win the game 5-0 but regardless, we still dominated the game and bossed the entire pitch. 

We had by now already cleared the group stages by topping our group and had a massive goal difference of +9, averaging three goals a match which is by no means any bad. The knockout stages followed, and this was when the real test began. 

Matchday 4. Quarter Finals. 1-0. We won the game. But this was by far our toughest game we faced as a team. We were really tested, physically but all the more mentally. The match was played against a team comprising a majority of the key Christ Law School players, players who really knew how to play the sport very well. It was tough, but as the famous saying goes, 'Champions Always Find A Way', we did too.

Matchday 5. Semi-Finals. 2-0. I think by this time we were starting to turn a lot of heads with the quality of our football. And we were also making a name for ourselves. I remember  many people coming up to me and appreciating my game and my many assists. It reached a stage where I'm sure that we had instilled some sort of fear into our oppositions heads before the semis. That fear led to their downfall and our rise to the final of the pedagogic league. I recall very vividly how we had this insane combination of play which ended with an impeccable finish from Varun. Karan won the ball on the right side of the midfield, he played the ball to our captain Jana who turned a player and played the ball into space to me. This was one of the first times I was given the license to play offensive football. I played a slick through ball to Mayank who fed it to Varun on the wing. And what followed was the destruction of the opposition by this one guy. Varun showed the Messi side to his game by beating 3 players and smacking a finish into the far bottom corner. 

We were ready for the final. Vidit and co had managed to keep a clean sheet throughout the tournament, our strike force was able to rack up 12 goals so far. We were by far the best team to have graced the pitch this tournament. It was ours, it was destined to be, it had to be. There was no other choice. I was not going to my godforsaken hostel without a gold, nor were any of my teammates.

Matchday 6. The Final. We were playing the team whose captain had won the Pedagogic last season, and this match proved to test us a team. As soon as the game started, I dribbled two players and saw Karan making a darting run through the centre of the pitch. We clicked, again. Instantly, I played a ground through ball to him and he was in on goal. He decided to place it, and he did just that. But this time, surprisingly, it didn't go in. It hit the post and there was an instant counter attack. That really shook us, but what shook us, even more, was when we conceded. We had actually conceded a goal. A midfield that was rock solid, an impregnable defence, and an in-form goalkeeper, all beaten by one slick move. We were shattered, we didn't know how to react because we hadn't conceded a single goal throughout the tournament. Our game died down, it was all Adi Menon and his squad, battering us and us holding on for dear life. We went into halftime, Jana made sure everyone kept quiet. The speech he then made, gave me shivers. I can't describe how it was because that's how special it was. We walked back onto the pitch with the confidence and belief that we could do this. We slowly grew into the game, we started to click and apply immense pressure when from nowhere Jana got knocked out. Someone whacked him on the chest, completely winded, he lay there with our whole team around him. He could have easily sat out the rest of the match, but that's what a captain does, he puts his team above himself. He came back on a good five minutes later, labouring but still a 100% effort.

It was the last few minutes of the match, we received a free kick around half line. I told Jana, "Go in, get a touch, the ball will reach." The ball I pinged in turned out to be the most important pass of my Christ life. Karan or Yashu got a head to it and the ball landed in front of Mayank who made no mistake and smacked it into the roof of the net. Boom! The crowd erupted! We erupted! Nobody could contain their excitement! Our whole team went bonkers! Complete and utter madness! 

We got ourselves together and played out the draw. It went to penalties. And there was no way we were letting this go now. I scored one, so did Mayank, Varun. And you know who finished it off for the fairytale. Jana. Captain fantastic. Cometh the moment, cometh the man.

Champions!

 

And  that was that. We did it.We overcame all odds. We showed the world how no one can be written off. No matter how small you are. No matter how inexperienced, how short or how weak you are, if you put your mind to something, completely and truly believe in it and honestly work towards it. There is absolutely nobody who can stop you from winning what you deserve. 

This is a testament, to the belief that we showed as a team. To the love we displayed for each other, backing each other up, supporting each other when needed and mostly, our love for the beautiful game of football. 

This remains to be, and I think will always remain to be my greatest and fondest memory on a football pitch.

A big thank you to my captain Jana and his trademark "CLAP FOR YOURSELVES!" after every match we won, to Karan G for showing me that there is another player out there on the same wavelength as me and to my fellow Nightswatch teammates who I can gladly call my family.

Premier League Live 2017/18, Bangalore: 1

The primary reason I went for one of the most eventful and best days of my life was that there was free entry. I'm kinda cheap that way. :P

It was the 14th of October, 2017. I had an exam that day, Research Methodology, which ended at 11:30. In the span of around two hours, I was sitting in the cab with four other good friends on my way to probably, the closest I'll get to the Premier League in the next three years, Premier League Live.

We reached in over an hour and it was really well done up. Right from the entrance to the main stage, it was clear that a lot of effort had been put into this. And you could make out that this was a really big deal due to the Z security all around the big stars who had come to provide their valuable insights of the match taking place, Liverpool vs Manchester United. The match, however, was a let down for many who came to see a free-flowing and high scoring game of football as it ended a boring nil-nil. Liverpool dominated proceedings right from the start and created a high number of chances, unfortunately, their conversion rate wasn't on the same wavelength. Coutinho didn't perform, nor did Firmino, not to their menacing best at least. Liverpool really missed the presence of their player of the season, Sadio Mane'. Jose Mourinho, on the other hand, was tactically and defensively very sound. That was the primary reason as to why they were able to hold a dangerous, attacking Liverpool side.

 Getting back to the event, I was able to spot the place where the event was being held from pretty far and that itself got me so pumped. We paid the cabbie and scooted straight for the gates where we were left stunned by the entrance. It was a beautiful eye-catching structure made of wheatish metallic poles with the Premier League symbol on top greeting every fan entering the arena.

Once our registrations were done, the five of us entered the arena brimming with excitement. Heck, I was melodiously croaking while shouting and singing the Liverpool Anthem, You'll Never Walk Alone, while my brilliant friends disowned me. 

It was mad. Insane. There were so many people, from different backgrounds, from different religions, genders and places all brought together by their love for the game. That is what football is about. It is a way of life, it brings people together. You laugh, you cry, you rejoice, you celebrate. That's football. That's why I love this sport. 

The first thing we saw was this abnormally long and weird shaped line that turned out to be for a glimpse of the Premier League Trophy! The very same trophy that Kompany or Vertonghen might be lifting this season. I had already seen a Premier League trophy a couple of years ago in Mumbai at the Crystal Palace Trials so I wasn't that hyped to see the trophy again, especially after taking a look at the line. 

Aayush and I split up from the rest because they wanted to watch the match whereas we wanted to try everything out and live the experience to the fullest. Because why not? I'll rather watch a match at Anfield and experience that atmosphere than the one set there and not enjoy everything offered. We first headed to the Everton tent where there was this wall where people could write whatever they want. Now, obviously, it was meant for all the Evertonians but then again, no harm in a little friendly banter. Following this, Aayush took a marker and started scribbling the words 'Should have retired when you had the chance' under a Wayne Rooney photo while I used the marker to scribble YNWA on the wall. 

We didn't want to wait in line for Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal or City so we scooted to Brighton and Hove Albion's tent and this decision proved to be the best of the day. One of the academy coaches of Brighton had come down and was going to conduct a small training session later in the day. Aayush and I readily signed up. We got a sick Brighton shirt for the session, which although looks like a dress on me, but it's something that I'll treasure for the rest of my life. The Brighton tent also had the jerseys of their big name players and also had a shooting game where you had 5 targets to put the ball in from a 5-yard distance. You were awarded certain goodies if you managed to score one or more. Aayush managed to put in 3 out of 5 and he was given this beautiful scarf which now decorates his room. I, on the other hand, Lil' overconfident prick, missed all five. They gave me a flag out of pity.

The Brighton Academy Coach.

After we were done with my humiliation, Aayush and I started roaming around the entire area soaking it all in when we spotted this 6'2, broad-shouldered Englishman. The one and only rock of Bengaluru FC, Jon Johnson. Although I do make it seem like we knew who he was at first glance, that was not the case. Rather, we had a rough idea that it was him, but just to make sure Aayush googled him and sure enough, it was him! We managed a photo with the former Middlesborough player and scooted straight to the Leicester tent where we played a 2v2 foot tennis match which lasted us around 3 minutes because we absolutely thrashed the opposition. 

Jon Johnson!

The event had tied up with Nike who were introducing their new line of Hypervenom studs. For this promotional activity, a small 3v3 pitch was set up and it was open to everyone. The biggest plus? You could sport the new Nike Hypervenoms while playing the 3v3. The format was very simple, whoever has more goals after 3 minutes of play gets to stay on the pitch. Aayush, Sriram and I decided to give it a shot. With Sriram and myself being really good players and Aayush a decent one, we were confident of staying on the pitch for the entire duration of the event. Sadly, we got whooped 3-0 by Magic Bus kids who played their heart out while we used the three minutes to get adjusted to the new boots. By the time we were ready to show what we can do, we were thrown out of the cage. The only highlight from that instance was that I was given the chance to test out the new Hypervenom Phantom which are studs I can't even dream of buying.  

Our next destination was the small mini pitch where our private training session was to be conducted by the Brighton academy coaches. Aayush and I were made to sign a waiver, following which the kids had a small training session. 

As you can see, the pitch was beautiful and the coaching? Even better. It was evident, the class difference between the coaches in India and the coaches from Europe. There's a different mentality between India and England, especially when it comes to football. We concentrate more on the physical side of the sport, the stamina, the strength and these are traits that we will never be able to match when compared to Britishers as it's a well-known fact that they are genetically far superior when it comes to your physique. From my observation, we cannot catch up in terms of physicality, but what we can do is work, work, work, then work again until the technical side of every Indian footballer is top notch. But that's just me and who am I right?
Anyway, the Brighton coach, let's call him Harry, was really encouraging and motivating. Harry was letting everyone express themselves with the ball, he kept telling us to show off, do some showboating, try stuff out. I think he wanted us to become freer as a player, something that is not promoted in India and I'm certain that in the 20 minutes I had with Harry, I grew as a player.

I really enjoyed my time out there on the pitch and I guess everyone else did too. Even though all of us were slipping and losing control of the ball, our love for the game made us forget the fact that we were wearing sneakers and not astroturf shoes. We all just wanted to play, in that atmosphere, under a professional coach's watchful eye, all for the love of our religion, football.

A New Chapter: Christ University, Bangalore

On June 2nd, 2016, I started a brand new chapter in my life. I had just joined the "best" university in India for a Bachelors Of Business Administration. I was pumped. I was eager to join, eager to start playing football especially because I had heard a lot about the football scene in Bangalore and that it was on par with Mumbai's football scene.

College started and I was assigned my class and it took me a while to realize that football practice had already started. A while being three weeks to be exact. But little did I know what was about to come in the next year.
Excelling at football and making my mark in Christ football was my main goal when I joined. And that's what I had drilled into my head as well.

Buzzing from a great inaugural season at the VPPL, I was ready to go!

On my first day of practice, I was kind of under-confident, to be honest. The ground was buzzing with over 100 players who looked really hungry to prove themselves. I looked around to see who the coach was and it was pretty obvious who that was. He went by the name Arun Sir, tall, dark and with a hearty, genuine smile. I took my own sweet time during kit up when a senior walked in and told us to get our asses to the pitch quickly. I got up and headed out to the pitch where the coach was talking in his weird style. I am not sure how I would describe the way Coach speaks but let me just tell you that it was as amusing as it is irritating. But then again, he was here for football, to coach a bunch of arrogant college kids. Who was I to judge?

So, in Christ, we can practice at two grounds because sometimes, the numbers are too much and it helps accommodate the different teams of the university. I was sent to the second ground where two teams of 11 were divided and set to play against each other. I was in one of these teams and I had made my stance very clear from the onset of team creation that I will only play in the centre midfield position no matter what happens. The problem was, there were three other central midfielders on my team. So two of them took a hit for the team and played in a centre back position. I did not want to take the risk of playing in any other position because I have had the sad experience of playing in an unfamiliar position during a trial and eventually not getting picked up.

 I felt bad for both of them, but one of them turned out to be an insane player with an even more insane work ethic which astounded me. His name was Karan. We instantly had this telepathic communication. I knew where he was, I knew that when I was in trouble, there'll be a solid centre back at the back to cover and he knew exactly how I liked to receive the ball. We both had a good time playing with each other. Little did I know that we would go on to play with each other a lot more, win trophies, lose some, but always put in our 110%

FOCUS

I played a few really beautiful Hollywood passes across the field which is when I caught the coach's attention. When i figured out that he was looking at my play, I stepped it up. I started running more, putting in more tackles, more effort and I eventually scored a goal.

After the game, the coach huddled us together and spoke to us with great excitement ahead of the new football season. He did single me out during his talk when he made the statement "I know a polished player when I see one" and he looked directly towards me at the far end of the huddle.

Instantly I knew he meant me and that this was just the beginning. I realized that I would have to square up for a spot on the Christ A team with people not just doing their undergrad but those doing their masters and doctorates as well, tough, strong and really good university level players. I knew that it was going to be hard but then again, I wasn't new to adversity and I'm certainly not the guy backing down from a challenge.

So that was that a new chapter in my life had started in Bangalore and my goal, was to leave a mark in Christ football history.

Back "Home"

It's really amusing how life will take us right up there and escalate our happiness so very much and then in one swift ninja move, cuts you up and brings you down.
Now you would be thinking that ive got injured or been in an accident.

Not really . In fact, my flight back to India from Germany was excellent and extremely smooth. But the sad thing here is, I'm back "home." And whichever way I look at it, im not happy.

To be honest here, I felt right at home at DFI. The everyday routine, the football, the pitches, the food, the environment, no traffic, the coaches, the players, basically, a footballers life. And i was lucky enough to have lived it for a month and I am eternally grateful to my parents and Eric Sir. DFI, Germany will always be "home", regardless of where I go, or what I pursue because living a footballers life is something else. It's beautiful.

I landed and decided to test myself against my fellow countrymen. So i headed straight for practice, and wow. Like really, wow. I stood out, and that too, quite a lot. My game just had this extra piece of magic which i guess I really needed to compete at the highest level of Mumbai's football scene.

Now that I look at it. "Home" isn't the place where you have lived forever. It's where you are most comfortable and in love with.

"Home" is Deutsches Fussbal Internat, Bad Aibling, Germany.

DFI- Making My Mark.

First and foremost. Hope you have a brilliant 2016 ahead!

Germany seems like a distant memory now. It has been 6 months since I landed in India. And boy oh boy, do I miss it.

My Schedule. Find my name.

Carrying on from where I left off, my second week was much better because I had got adjusted to the surroundings, the climate and the physicality. I had finally started playing at a decent level. Not good, not satisfactory but decent. I remember this one training session with the U-23's where I played really well. I bossed the center of the park. I was going in for challenges, I was running constantly and making quick incisive passes. Even though I was being pushed around and thrown on the ground, I got back up and went for more. I had this hunger in me. This hunger to do well, to do my parents proud even though they didn't know what i was doing, to give it your all.

As I entered the third week, the coaches started noticing me and rightfully so. I was playing well and enjoying my football. Our bulletin board which had our schedule informed us that we would be playing a match in the next few days. India vs Germany. At first I thought it would be only us Indians against the U-23's. Later I found out that the German team was filled with coaches and the U-18's. Fortunately, our "India" team consisted of U-23 players from SA, China, Croatia, Peru, Russia and Germany.

What a sight!

The dressing room! Aaaahhh!

Before the game, we had visited the home of Bayern Munich, Germany and 1860 Munich., The Allianz Arena. The first stadium i went to didn't disappoint me. It was truly stunning. Right from the outside to the museum inside. The European Cups, Bundesliga shields and the DFB Pokals were just a mere 30 Cm from
me. Only glass separated us. My hopes of lifting them later in my life still lingers. The ground was brilliant,
 i really don't have words to describe how classy it was. To all the Bayern supporters, it is a must that you visit the home of the Bavarians at least once in your life. extend your bucket list.

Life Goals!

Have to watch a match here.

Moving back to matchday, there was a proper dressing room meeting with full kits and a team list and formations. Sadly, I was keeping the bench warm. I did feel a little embarrassed as the rest of my fellow Indians were playing. The first half was played, the score was
2-2.

Haslreiter sir then brought me on at half time. Surprisingly at left back. I had never played the position before. Next thing you know, I got the ball and I made a run from our defensive half to the final third and had a shot on goal. The solo run didn't pay off, but it boosted my confidence a lot, especially when the fellow foreigners started appreciating my effort. I went on to have two more shots on goal, one which nearly went in. In the end, I wasn't tired. I could have played a lot more, this fire had ignited. A little too late in the month, but nevertheless.

I had hit my peak form.