Journal Entry # 7 Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Today some of the girls from LA were leaving to go home early so
they could catch their Caribbean Cruz. After waking up at the usual time and doing
the usual morning schedule, we went to training. When we got to the facility we
noticed that the head coach wasn't there today, so some of the other Malwee staff
trained us. For the first time really we did an organized warm up and stretch
as a group because we were going to do proper drills today which we could all
tell at the sight of cones. We started off with simple dribbling drills and worked
our way up to more difficult things, however because some of us still hadn't quite
adapted to the indoor techniques even a simple drill becomes difficult. With these
drills we did a little bit of fitness, it was nothing too intense or hard and
everything was done in fun so it was all a good time. When we were done with that
the goalkeepers separated from the group to do some specialized training. The
rest of the field players continued with drills similar to that which they had
spent the morning doing. The goal keeper training was a very intense one as we
were forced to dive, slide, and exhaust ourselves. In this training there was
a heavy focus on the proper futsal techniques which differ greatly from that of
a soccer goalkeeper's method. The afternoon went as all of them did really, after
a very tiring practice we showered up
and then went to lunch with no real down time. After we ate we
had a little less than an hour to nap before we had to go to play
our next game. Our game was against the same people we had
played a couple times before so we knew what was in-store
for us. We all looked forward to the game but we were all
really tired also. We played at our usual training ground and
suited up like all days. The girls this time played with us
instead of watching on the sidelines as they usually did.
We started the first half off pretty well and kept it close with the
score never telling of how the games inside went before this. The half ended with
them winning 3-2. As the second half started we went in with slightly more strategy
after a halftime talk with our coach and because we were still learning the complex
tactics of the game. The only problem with this was that the other team had come
out onto the court with a revamped approach as well. The game remained tight as
we continually tided the game until we reached fours. With the time winding down
and the other team pressing for more goals we conceded 2 quick shoddy goals. After
this our team became really frustrated and ended up actually giving up another
goal in the dying seconds. After a disappointing loss we shook hands and went
back to the hotel. We then went out to dinner were everyone was really tired and
because the game had started late we were all really hungry. After we ate we went
back to the hotel to watch a professional game on the TV. The only problem was
it was pretty late at night and by the time we got back to the hotel it was ten
ish and the game was about to start. Some stayed up to watch the game but a lot
of people just went to bed after a tiring day of training.