Even the presence among the Groupies of HRH Queen Elizabeth on a surprise whistle-stop tour through Southeast Asia and resplendent in tiara and retro 1966 World Cup winning shirt couldn’t spur the BC Veterans to victory over a tough, tall and battling Belgian side in the last qualifying game of the Challenge Trophy. After three big wins, the BC succumbed meekly 0-3 to a team that kept possession well, moved forward at speed and took their chances.
Missing the effervescent CA up front, the wide midfield wizardry of a DH and inspirational skipper AM -- away building a Barbed Wire Curtain across central Europe -- the BC were lethargic, quiet and static throughout. Defeat, though rare, hurts – the manner of this defeat hurt more.
On a pitch softened by pre-match rain, the BC began brightly enough, but too often surrendered possession unnecessarily and giving too much room to an opposition who proved more than capable on the ball. DR had to be at his best to keep the BC in the game, with a couple of good diving saves. The home side enjoyed a kiss from Lady Luck when a speculative lob from 35 yards looped over the keeper’s head, bounced in front of goal and over the bar.
The BC defence appeared to have spent more time “discussing tactics” on a St Patrick’s Day pre-match binge than in applying any tactical acumen to the game. (The smaller) CA battled bravely but was clearly fatigued by trawling through 600 e-mails every day, while the two stalwart central defenders were asked to play the full 90 minutes against a strong and pacy attack, including a Congolese Tintin, who was playing courtesy of a King Albert Colonial Legacy Fund grant and wearing a headscarf. Without ever really threatening the Belgian goal, the BC did well enough to go in at half-time with the score still goalless and only MJ troubling the referee’s pocket for an accumulation of strong, but fair, tackles.
Shortly after the re-start MJ was adjudged to have pushed an opponent from behind. Tintin slotted his penalty kick past DR to make it 0-1. Moments later, Hercule Poirot was quickest to react to a loose ball in front of goal to poke it between DR and the near post. 0-2 – and heads sank into chests.
MJ and UN provided some hope on the right flank, with two or three excellent crosses from the Kaiser – who as a child spent many happy weekends across the border in Austria at singing competitions with his five siblings. In 1967, the young N family came fourth, 35 points behind the new generation Von Trapps, but returned home with the special award for Best Dressed Ensemble thanks to the shiny red lederhosen outfits lovingly created by their Aunt Wilhelmina.
Midway through the second-half, the often fractious Belgians extended their lead with a lofted 30-yard shot over the stranded DR a la Ronaldhino/Seaman at the 2002 World Cup. BW, still carrying 10 “free” pints of green Guinness, almost got on the end of another beautifully flighted Kaiser cross, but we created far too few chances to ever stand a real chance of getting back into the game. BW also waved his handbag at a couple of defenders in a pre-corner melee.
Tintin then entered the Worst Miss of the Season competition with a certain winning entry. Gifted the ball by DR, he ambled up to the goal and blasted a shot against the bar from one metre out when he had time and space to get down on his knees, turn around, do the Hokey Cokey (in memory of its copyrighted creator, U.S. band leader Larry LaPrise who died last week aged 93) and score with his backside.
The BC will meet the Belgians again on Sunday in the final.
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