A football session with the boys and an open challenge to all Steemians

Getting back into the field was indeed a difficult task for me. I'm a born midfielder, to be honest. I am thankful for the vision God has bestowed upon me, as I can pick out a forward on the field from 40 yards away with either a lofted or a grounded ball directly to their feet. Dribbling isn’t an issue either; my main challenges are my stamina and body balance.

But my stamina is terrible, which is a significant problem considering I have to play for 90 minutes. As for body balance, it's about how you carry and stabilize yourself after making a forward run at high speed. This is crucial for maintaining control and avoiding injury, especially in high-intensity situations.

For the past three weekends, I have been playing football for 90 minutes every sunday. The weather here in Karachi is unbearable, and we recently received a notification that it will be hitting 50°C in a couple of days. Playing in such extreme weather conditions is almost impossible, but how do you stop someone from doing what they love the most?

Despite the harsh weather, I continue to push myself on the field. The love for the game and the drive to improve keep me going, even when the heat becomes overwhelming. The sense of satisfaction I get from delivering a perfect pass or executing a successful dribble outweighs the physical discomfort.

Improving my stamina and body balance requires consistent effort. I've incorporated specific drills and exercises into my routine to build endurance and enhance my stability. Interval training, long-distance runs, and plyometric exercises have become a regular part of my routine. These activities help increase my cardiovascular fitness and muscular endurance, which are crucial for maintaining a high level of performance throughout the match.

Yesterday, I had a game scheduled for 9 PM. The ground is located near my house, so I didn't need to leave too early. I left my house at 8:45 PM and headed straight to the ground. Surprisingly, when I arrived, there were only six players present, even though it was already 8:54 PM.

The game eventually started at 9:05 PM, five minutes later than the scheduled time. The first half was pretty good for our team. We managed to score four goals while conceding only two. I played a significant role in our performance by assisting two of the goals and scoring one myself. My goal was a simple tap-in, the result of a beautiful team effort. We moved the ball around in a tiki-taka fashion, passing it seamlessly from one player to another. I positioned myself at the far post, waiting for the ball to come to my feet, and when it did, I simply tapped it in.

_{Time lapse of the first half}

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Our strong performance in the first half had set a positive tone for the rest of the match, or so we believed. The team’s morale was high, and it seemed like we were on our way to a comfortable victory. However, the opposition had other plans. Shortly into the second half, they began to push forward with increased intensity and managed to equalize by scoring two goals in quick succession. The first was a well-executed play that caught our defense off guard, and the second came from a penalty after a controversial handball decision against us. The sudden shift in momentum rattled our team, and we found ourselves on the back foot, scrambling to regain control of the game.

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I was completely out of breath around the 70th minute and was looking forward to getting subbed off. Just when I thought my time on the field was over, I did something incredible. Do you remember Ronaldo's goal against Osasuna? I scored something similar, though my goal wasn't nearly as impressive as his. Nevertheless, I had caught the keeper off guard and took my chances. Despite my exhaustion, I found a sudden burst of energy and struck the ball perfectly from outside the box. The ball soared into the top corner, leaving the keeper with no chance.

It felt surreal to be at the receiving end of such appreciation from my teammates. Their cheers and pats on the back rejuvenated me, even if only momentarily. It was a reminder of why we play the game; to create moments of brilliance that can change the course of a match.

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The game ended at 5-4, and we were extremely energized, having defended brilliantly in the second half. Credit must be given to the opposition team, as they kept us on our toes throughout the entire second half. Their relentless attacks tested our resilience and determination. If only someone had recorded that screamer of a goal I scored! It was a pivotal moment that shifted the momentum back in our favor. When they equalized, their morale was sky-high, and they seemed determined to take the lead. However, that goal made the difference, lifting our spirits and ensuring we held on for a thrilling victory.

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After the game, I decided to work on my ball control by doing some flick-ups. Juggling a football to improve ball control is really important, and I was determined to get better. I managed to do 38 in one go, which felt like an achievement, but I knew I could push myself further. Then, an idea struck me: why not turn this into a challenge on Steemit? I thought it would be fun to engage with the community. In this post I challenge Steemians to beat my record of 38 flick-ups. If anyone could do more and post their attempt in the comments section, I promise to transfer them 5 Steem. Sounds fair? 😃

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