Football, football, O what gall!
Twenty-two players kick the life out of a ball
Ten up and down sweating profusely
One between the bars the team’s security.
These are bars that have no drinks
But their goalkeepers are critical links
They keep goal instead of minding bars
More often than not they are forgotten stars.
Compared to other games the ball is huge
It is kicked by the players any way they choose
Sometimes with the instep or the side of the boot
At times they fake the goalie before they shoot.
But let me start at the very beginning
Kick-off is when neither team is winning
Blow-off signals that the time has expired
The twenty-two players to the pavilion retire.
Two half sessions of forty-five minutes each
A referee and linesmen looking for any breach
Keep the players in check playing fair and square
Adhering to the rules of which they are aware.
The winning margin is decided by goals
The ball must pass the goalie within the poles
Some games are decided by penalty kicks
The ball is placed on the penalty spot
As the goalie awaits the inevitable shot
Up runs the shooter and he fires away
The goalie dives trying to save the day.
Twelve players try to put the ball in the net
Six from each side for each there’s a bet
“Uh bet he score now, uh bet he does not”
“He better had cause he is the best we’ve got.”
After each shooter has had his one chance
One team’s reputation is further enhanced
The team with the most goals wins the game
Their points go up while the other’s remain.
Like cricket, football has its funny streak
That’s a banana kick commentators speak
Oh he tried the bicycle there some may say
Or the scissors may be done in another play.
In the former the ball is kicked over his head
In the latter he is parallel to the ground instead
Sometimes you hear he has volleyed the ball
At other times “trap it!” might be the call.
The referee blows the whistle to start the match
One of the teams kicks off from a central patch
Passing from one player to another they send
Trying to get the ball in at the other end.
The other team tries its hardest to intersect
Not giving any quarter until the ball they get
Suddenly the direction of the ball is changed
As the next team tries to get in shooting range.
The player shoots the ball but the goal is blocked
The goalie holds it in like an impregnable lock
“Lucky this time” some spectator calls out
“Next time not so lucky then our turn to shout.”
They dribble and pass; they block and trap
Another great save and a pat on the back
They slow the ball down then up their speed
As the game brings more and more intrigue.
The spectators argue who will win or lose
As one expects it’s their team they choose
But football can be a funny game, you know
And at the end some will say, “I told you so.”
Half time a team might lead two goals to none
And feel, “No need to
worry, we have it won.”
But quick as a flash the next team scores three
And the losers can’t believe what they now see.
The score line will tell it straight and plain
Two at half time is not the end of the game
Another half must follow and of equal length
Best to use the time to build back your strength.
It is never an easy matter to lose like that
It leaves the losing side feeling rather flat
But it was their fault; there are to blame
Feeling that half time was the end of the game.
Sometimes at the end the scores are the same
No team has won hence a draw is the claim
May be a scoreless draw, may be plenty of goals
When goalies have a hard time between the poles.
There are many tournaments local and overseas
Teams go overboard their best players to please
Some are valued at millions of dollars or pounds
And when they play thousands flock to the grounds.
In cricket the Caribbean had once ruled the roost
But in football they have never had such a boost
Nevertheless every one follows his favourite team
Brazil, Spain and Germany are among the cream.
Whether in a little village or at a stadium grand
Local, regional, especially the World Cup brand
Football, enthralling football is a fascinating sight
Bringing to its many fans much fun and delight.
Gifted with speech any football might exclaim
“You gain your satisfaction as a result of my pain
Your players you praise as the trophy you win
But not a thought for me, Football, isn’t that a sin?
Stewart Russell © 2013
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