After their final exercise, Coach Wallace congratulated the Rovers on a good training session. ‘Well done on your hard work. You all read the field well and had your eyes open to where your team-mates were and possibilities for plays and openings. One of the best ways to get the most from the game is to play as a team, and you did just that.’
Jasper wasn’t really listening. He bit his lip and fidgeted on both feet, wanting Coach to get on with telling them what he thought about Aamir.
‘Josie, it’s your turn for the oranges on Saturday, and don’t forget you all need to be preparing your pieces for the talent show fundraiser that’s coming up. It’s the Rovers’ contribution to raising enough money to fix up the changing sheds. Okay then, you’ve all got homes to go to. I’ll see you for the game on Saturday.’
There was the general scramble of after-training chaos from everyone except Jasper, Aamir and Lil, who stood staring at the coach.
Finally he looked up and walked over to them. ‘Looks like the Rovers have found themselves a new team-mate.’
Jasper and Lil jumped into the air and let out a yell. Aamir had made the team.
He turned and waved to his mum and Nadia and they fell into instant hugs.
‘Well done, scout,’ Coach Wallace said to Jasper.
‘Thanks.’
Jasper could feel his chest expand like some muscly guy in an ad for singlets. He felt like the man who first discovered Maradona or Pele. He imagined Aamir one day playing for Australia and himself standing beside him as his manager, answering questions from media all around the world. They were both wearing long leather coats, sunglasses that were way too big for their faces, and hairdos they’d spent lots of time and money on in hairdressing salons to look like they’d just woken up.
By the time Jasper had answered all the media questions with cool, expert ease and given his phone number to at least three supermodels who’d asked to go out with him, a horn was honking somewhere behind him.
‘What?’
Jasper looked around him. The sun was beginning to fade and most of the Rovers had taken off shin pads, pulled on jumpers, grabbed drink bottles and bags and were heading towards cars and bikes to leave.
‘Planning on staying here all night?’ It was Jasper’s mum, standing with that look she got whenever she caught him daydreaming. ‘I’m not sure where you were this time, but will some lasagne and roast vegetables bring you back to me?’
Jasper’s mind was flung from the world of mega-fame and riches to his stomach.
‘Sure will.’
It was okay that he wasn’t a celebrity; he didn’t like long leather coats anyway. The world he was in was just fine, and after their training session and the sound of that lasagne and vegies, it was getting better and better by the minute.
JOHNNY SAYS:
Learning to head the ball effectively is one of the most important skills to learn because it has so many uses: scoring goals, saving goals, controlling the ball, and sometimes even passing it. An incredible number of matches are won by headed goals. Yet lots of players are afraid of heading the ball, because it hurts if you don’t use the correct technique – so learn how to do it properly, and avoid the pain!
‘This is it, Higsy. The moment soccer fans from all around the world have been waiting for. The game is about to start, and today we see the introduction of the Socceroos’ newest player, Aamir Khan.’
‘I can’t wait to see him in action, Richy. He’s only been with the team a short while but the buzz around the soccer fields of the world is that a new hero is about to be born.’
‘Yes, Higsy, but let’s not forget the real hero: Jasper Zammit, the man who has brought us so much joy on the field and is now the very reason the world can witness Aamir. And here they come! The Socceroos have taken to the field! There is nothing more noble than wearing the green and gold, Higsy. I’ll bet there’s a few teary eyes down there amongst the players.’
‘There’d have to be. The times I played for my country were the most important moments of my life. There is no greater thrill, no greater privilege, than representing your country in the greatest game of all (sniff, sniff).’
‘You okay there, Higsy?’
‘Just a little choked up, that’s all, Richy. I love this game.’
‘We all do, Higsy. But before the commentary box starts filling up with tears, let’s get back to the field where the fans have started calling out just one name. What a cry! From every corner of this stadium, it’s Jasper! Jasper! Jasper!’
‘That young man must be feeling so proud.’
‘Jasper! Jasper!’
‘Jasper!’
Jasper was dragged away from playing for Australia to stare directly into the nervous face of Tricky.
‘Is he really that good?’
Jasper reluctantly let go of his daydream and remembered where he was. The soccer fields were slowly filling with parents, players and officials. It was Saturday and the Rovers were about to play a game against the Wanderers.
‘What?’
‘Is Aamir really that good?’ Tricky sounded edgy as he sat on a picnic chair with his bandaged ankle out in front of him and a set of crutches beside him. ‘Everyone said he was pretty amazing at training. Is it true?’
‘Yeah,’ Jasper said proudly. ‘He’s good, but don’t worry, your position on the team is safe.’
‘I wasn’t worried about that,’ Tricky lied with a laugh. ‘I was just hoping he was good enough to play with us. That’s all.’
Jasper smiled. ‘Oh, he’s good enough.’
Coach Wallace stood in the middle of the field talking to Nadia, who seemed to be translating for Aamir. The other Rovers were nearby kicking the ball around and trying out a few new moves.
‘Gotta go. I might even kick a goal for you.’
‘You better,’ Tricky answered miserably.
Jasper ran out to join the others and stopped beside Noggin, who had an extra large bandaid on his nose. ‘What happened to you?’
Noggin looked embarrassed. ‘Dad’s going to perform some magic tricks at the talent show and I’m his assistant.’
‘And the bandaid?’
‘The Ali Baba sword trick went a bit wrong.’ Noggin shrugged.
‘Sword trick?’ Jasper’s eyebrows flew up his head.
‘Don’t ask,’ Noggin slumped. ‘At the moment I’m hoping I’ll still be alive by the talent show.’
The coach had finished talking to Aamir, and Nadia waved him off before leaving the field.
‘Right,’ Coach Wallace clapped his hands. ‘We’ve got a game to play. I want a serious warm-up from everyone.’
Jasper stood beside Aamir and smiled. He was wearing one of the team shirts Lil’s dad bought for them a few games ago as part of his sponsorship of the team. Even though it was way too big for him, Aamir wore it beneath a grin that stretched from one side of his face to the other.
‘Looks good.’ Jasper gave him a thumbs up.
Aamir gave him a wink and said, ‘Goal.’
Jasper laughed and thought, yeah, sometimes just wearing a team shirt makes you feel like you’ve already scored a goal.
Coach went even longer than usual on the warm-ups before he gathered the Rovers into a circle with their arms across each other’s shoulders.
‘Have a good game out there. Play fair, play well and play as a team.’ Then he looked at Jasper and added, ‘And no daydreaming.’
‘No, Coach. I’ll make sure of that.’
Jasper couldn’t daydream during this match. He had Aamir to look after, and they faced a tough game against one of the comp’s best.
‘Go the Rovers!’ Lil let fly with her usual rallying shout as they moved into position and the others joined in.
Jasper, Lil and Josie made their way to midfield. Lil held her fists before her chest as they walked. ‘Forza,’ she smiled.
‘Forza!’ Jasper and Josie answered. Lil’s parents were born in Italy and she’d taught them that this meant �
�strength’.
As Jasper moved into his final position, he looked across at his dad. Before the beginning of every game, he’d throw Jasper a huge smile that made him feel like he could do anything, and there he was again with his smile, but this time he was with Aamir’s mum and sister. He began pointing and using his hands, and every now and then Aamir’s mum would look to Nadia and she would translate.
The ref blew the whistle and the game began.
The Wanderers were known for their strong defensive strategy and today was no different. Josie kicked the ball in a short, sharp pass to Nutmeg, who turned briefly and shot it out to Jasper on the wing. Lil immediately looked for a way to move in and take a pass, but her marker followed her every move.
It was the same with all of them. Everywhere the Rovers moved they were firmly marked. The ball was in the Rovers’ possession but moving slowly, and the Wanderers were waiting for their chance to take it back.
Jasper kicked a short flick pass to Nippy, who dribbled only a few metres before she was cornered. If the Rovers were going to move, they would have to take chances and kick out wide.
Jasper looked around for options and noticed Aamir. He seemed to be standing back with that same scared look he’d had when he stood in front of the class. Jasper tried to catch his eye and let him know it was okay but he just kept looking down. Maybe he was good at playing in small groups, but when it came to competition, he froze. Nannu had told him about players who had the skill but not the killer instinct. Maybe Aamir was like that.
Josie then saw a chance to take the pass. She gave Nippy a quick secret nod before springing forward ready to take the Rovers to their first goal, but she was second-guessed by another opponent who raced into position first and intercepted the pass from Nippy that was meant for her.
The run was on.
The Wanderers quickly moved along the field, taking the ball safely away from their goal. With strong forceful passes mixed with short taps left and right, they retained control and made lots of ground.
‘Go the Rovers!’ Lil encouraged but it was too late.
The Wanderers moved quickly. Those who weren’t in attack were working strongly in defence, and within seconds they’d shot a punishing instep kick that powered into the back of the net.
The ref blew the whistle. It was one-nil.
‘Come on, Rovers! You can do it,’ Tricky yelled from the side, itching to be on the field doing his bit.
The Rovers moved back into position, surrounded by the cheers and cries of the Wanderers and their supporters on the sidelines.
Jasper trudged across the field. He looked up at his dad, who threw another beaming smile at him. It made him feel better. For a second. Then he just thought about how easily the Wanderers had scored the last goal.
Jasper glanced at Aamir, who was still looking at the ground, heavily marked by his opponent.
‘What’s going on with Aamir?’ Josie asked.
‘Not sure.’
Jasper felt bad. Maybe Aamir would have been happier just playing at school or in the park. Maybe he wasn’t cut out for the pressure of a comp.
But the next few seconds proved Jasper wrong.
Aamir had been hanging back not because he was scared, but because he was keeping an eye on the field: reading the other team’s play, watching out for their strengths and weaknesses before he made his move.
With a sharp sidestep he bolted away from his marker and raced up the wing. He called out for the ball. In an instant Nutmeg shot a quick cross to him. He dribbled quickly along the wing and, looking up, gave Jasper a wink. Jasper moved up the field.
Aamir’s defender was annoyed that he’d so easily gotten away and came thundering towards him. Aamir pretended to dribble one way and, when his opponent had moved in for a block tackle, headed the other way.
‘He’s faked out his opponent,’ Jasper whispered.
Lil shot him an excited smile. This was more like the Aamir they’d seen at training and Jasper got ready for his part in the plan.
The Wanderers’ defence had moved into place, but Aamir wasn’t worried. Facing a line of defenders, he shot a furious worm-burner along the ground for a perfect through pass. The defence could only watch as it sped between them and was taken by Jasper, who wasted no time in turning towards goal.
Noggin had guessed Aamir’s plan and was already in place. Jasper felt a bolt of excitement surge into him as he chipped the ball into the air. Noggin threw his body forward, keeping his eyes firmly fixed on the ball, and headed it over the goalkeeper’s outstretched hands and into the back of the net.
The Rovers went nuts. They ran towards the goal area, leaping into the air and jostling each other in excited hugs. Jasper escaped from one of Diego’s wrestling holds and, pushing his hair out of his eyes, looked around for Aamir. He was standing still with a huge teethy smile on his face, while in the background both their families were going crazy.
‘Goal,’ Aamir said quietly.
‘Goal,’ Jasper agreed, his face stretched so far into a wide grin it began to hurt.
Then he remembered what Nannu used to say about Pele. He was at his most dangerous when he was standing still, and that’s exactly what Aamir had been doing: standing still while he’d worked out his next move.
Aamir bent his knees, leapt into the air and turned into a forward flip, landing firmly on the ground with both feet.
Lil and Jasper burst into laughter and even Mugger raised an impressed eyebrow.
There was still a long way to go until the finals, but as Jasper looked around the field, he knew the Rovers were on their way.
JOHNNY SAYS:
When I first started playing competitive soccer for the Under 12’s, I was a lot younger and smaller than most of my team-mates. But they gave me heaps of encouragement, because they knew I was playing above my age group. Playing soccer should always be about helping your mates, lifting the spirit of the team and putting in your best effort.
‘It’s a hamburger.’ Angus held his burger out to Aamir.
‘Hamburger,’ Aamir repeated.
‘And this is a snag.’ Diego bit into a sausage in a bread roll that was dripping tomato sauce down his forearms.
‘And he is a grot.’ Nippy shoved Diego aside and almost knocked him off the picnic bench.
‘Grot,’ Aamir smiled cheekily.
Coach Wallace had organised an after-game barbecue for the Rovers and their parents in the park beside the soccer fields. Jasper’s dad was standing at the barbie dressed in a bright floral apron, flipping burgers and vegie patties, and turning sausages and a stack of glistening fried onions. Beside him was a huge table full of salads, cold roast chicken, corn cobs, drinks and bread rolls.
Jasper sat back with his legs stretched out before him and watched as the mums and dads did their best to make Aamir’s mother and sister feel welcome. It had been a perfect day and he felt proud of what he’d done. Nannu always said soccer brought people together, and here it was happening again. He imagined himself as a great soccer star who was also a representative for the United Nations, teaching the world how they could all live together in harmony. He’d give speeches in front of millions of people, host concerts with famous musicians, organise charity soccer matches with the world’s best players, maybe even …
‘I have something to say.’
Coach Wallace interrupted Jasper’s world tour as he tapped a fork against the side of his drink can. Jasper realised he wasn’t a UN representative after all and turned to listen.
Coach Wallace never liked making speeches, but sometimes he had to, and he did it with this scrunched up look on his face like he was about to be lowered into a vat of worms.
Everyone turned towards him, except for some of the smaller brothers and sisters who were busy pouring water into a hole and making mud pies.
Coach took a deep breath and began. ‘I want to congratulate the Rovers on a great game. The Wanderers always give us a challenge but you responded by acting a
s a team, never losing your will and working up some pretty fine moves.’
The small crowd applauded and called out while Nadia leant towards her mum and translated.
‘Go the Rovers!’ Lil’s dad yelled to a trickle of laughter.
‘As you all know, a new player has joined our team and a new family has joined our community. Firstly, I’d like to welcome Aamir to the Rovers. They are a fine team and I am proud of every one of them, even the ones who failed to warm up before a game and have now, thankfully, learnt their lesson.’
Coach zeroed in on Tricky, who had just taken a bite of a hot dog. There was a chorus of laughter as he was nudged all over by the other Rovers. He froze with his cheeks bulging as if he had the mumps. It would be a long time before Tricky was allowed to forget that lesson.
‘I’m pretty sure I’ll be right to play next week, though,’ he muffled through his hot dog.
‘And I’m pretty sure I’d be a lousy coach if I let you.’
Tricky knew that once the coach made a decision he wouldn’t change his mind no matter how hard he begged, so he slumped back into his chair and took another bite of hot dog instead.
‘Next I would like to welcome Aamir’s family. We’re always happy to have new members to our group and we hope you enjoy your new home.’ Coach held up his glass. ‘To the Khan family.’
Drinks went into the air and came together in a clinking frenzy.
‘Now, that’s enough of me for one day. There’s plenty of food so get into it.’
As Josie and the others continued to teach Aamir the essentials of English, Jasper and Lil went to the barbecue to grab another burger. They stood beside Nadia, who watched her brother with a wary smile.
‘He speaks English, you know.’
‘Aamir?’ Jasper and Lil turned towards their new friend.
‘Not as well as he should, but he does know more than it seems.’
‘But the only word he’s said to me so far is “goal”.’
‘He loves soccer and has heard this word before. In the camps.’
The Striker Page 4