Football Philosophy
In the Australia vs Italy match tonight in the World Cup, the Australians put up a gallant display against the Italians.
In fact, some would argue that the Australians played better overall, regardless of whether they were playing against an Italian side of 11 or 10 people (which happened after Mezzorotti was awarded a red card for a brutal tackle).
But they lost the game 0-1, due to a penalty kick awarded to the Italians in the 95th minute of the game.
The Italians (whom were playing with 10 men) fought their hearts out so that the game would not go into extra time, while the Australians were obviously preparing for the game to stretch into an extra 30 minutes and hoping to bank on their 1-man advantage, on the field.
But it was the comment by our own Serbegeth Singh on this game, that caught my attention.
"In football, there is no waiting for the extra time. You've got to give it your all NOW, because you might not get the extra time".
It's a bit like life, isn't it?
The Australians paid dearly for that assumption - so might we, if we worked on the same set of assumptions in life. That there's always extra time in the future to look forward to.
There might not be "extra time" and 2nd chances in life. Sometimes, the only chance you get, is that short window of opportunity, to give it your all and to try to succeed.
If you succeed before the window shuts, you would have gained from making the correct move. If the window shuts before you succeed, at least you'll go down fighting, but it was just not meant to be.
And sometimes, just like the Aussies, you realize too late that the window has shut on you and all you can do, is to regret, learn from it and move on with life. And you jot it down to experience, so that you'll make better decisions in life, one day.
We don't control the outcomes - just our choices, effort and commitment.
In fact, some would argue that the Australians played better overall, regardless of whether they were playing against an Italian side of 11 or 10 people (which happened after Mezzorotti was awarded a red card for a brutal tackle).
But they lost the game 0-1, due to a penalty kick awarded to the Italians in the 95th minute of the game.
The Italians (whom were playing with 10 men) fought their hearts out so that the game would not go into extra time, while the Australians were obviously preparing for the game to stretch into an extra 30 minutes and hoping to bank on their 1-man advantage, on the field.
But it was the comment by our own Serbegeth Singh on this game, that caught my attention.
"In football, there is no waiting for the extra time. You've got to give it your all NOW, because you might not get the extra time".
It's a bit like life, isn't it?
The Australians paid dearly for that assumption - so might we, if we worked on the same set of assumptions in life. That there's always extra time in the future to look forward to.
There might not be "extra time" and 2nd chances in life. Sometimes, the only chance you get, is that short window of opportunity, to give it your all and to try to succeed.
If you succeed before the window shuts, you would have gained from making the correct move. If the window shuts before you succeed, at least you'll go down fighting, but it was just not meant to be.
And sometimes, just like the Aussies, you realize too late that the window has shut on you and all you can do, is to regret, learn from it and move on with life. And you jot it down to experience, so that you'll make better decisions in life, one day.
We don't control the outcomes - just our choices, effort and commitment.
posted by Stingrayz | 11:03 AM
12 Comments:
Sometimes, when it comes to certain windows, it is better to close it yourself. But it constantly surprises me the amount of strength one needs to close it.... I nak jadi Badang lah, boleh tak?
Xena:
Badang had to eat lots of vomit from the hantu, right?
So, you see,...the path is never an easy one, not even for Badang.
Sometimes, morning drizzles are nice, when you're observing from your little window.
But when it's thunderstorming, you'll know instinctively, when to shut the window. Or risk getting drenched.
Or when you've had a taste of a sunny country where it almost never rains - and you ask yourself, why not?
The only problem lies, when you enjoy playing in the rain. :)
I sometimes have to check myself from saying "Poor Aussies... kesian", even though I'm indifferent to the Aussie cause.
The thing is Shebby was 100% correct. They were playing like they were conserving themselves for extra time. Mana boleh... and one wrong twist of the ball (or wrong blow of the whistle) and they're out.
Shell shocked! Just like life, and you're absolutely right Stingray!
You know I love it when it rains esp if there is thunderstorm as well. *Sigh* Is it any wonder my life is like this. But then again, you cannot be a pot in this matter
Keropok:
Yeah.
But you know, if that was the Malaysian team instead of the Aussie team last night - I'd be bursting with pride, despite the defeat.
It's always fun giving giants a scare. :)
Xena:
Yes, I know. I've not been very good at keeping out of the rain, either.
But of late, I'm beginning to feel like I deserve more sun - no one can live with clouds and dreary days, forever.
And even if I could, I shouldn't.
That's really observant of you Stringray. But do remember that part when the player dive to get that penalty kick. So does it means that sometimes in life the end justify the means?
ayaa stingray...football is like life, bowling is like life, golf is like life, tennis is like life, basketball is like life...the list goes on.
Basically what you're saying is that life is like a game. Whoopie doo..next? :)
Ali:
Good point. Nope, to me, the ends never justify the means - because you don't know how things will end up.
But the dive just goes to show that not everyone will play fairly in life. And that's a fact we have to face, whether we agree with it or not.
Anonymous:
But they're different games, with different lessons. And even in the same game, no 2 matches are the same.
Generalizations and common factors are the easy part. Any untrained eye can do that.
It's picking out the particular lessons from each game and match, that's the fun part.
For games and sports are meaningless, if they teach you nothing symbolic about life.
england all the way!
Sooz:
England is capable of better football and has been quite lucky so far, for the likes of Beckham.
All the way? Maybe not. But I still think they're a good bet for the semi-finals.
My predictions for the last four are:
Argentina, Italy, Portugal and Brazil.
Any life lessons here? Don't gamble, perhaps :)
Anon 2
Anon 2:
Am a non-gambler, but my prediction for the final 4, after seeing all the teams perform, is: Germany, Ukraine, England (I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt, because they may get another freekick by Beckham) and Brazil.
And Brazil to win the World Cup, of course! :)
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