Futbol playoffs

Unfortunately I cannot make it to the fields on Wednesdays - if you need to catch me this evening, I will be slowly sliding under the table at Nueva Posada's happy hour.
I don't know anything more about the bus other than there should be plenty of empty seats and it leaves at 5:30am from Farmacia Guadalajara. It gets back to Ajijic much later.

Wish I was there.
But not at 5:30 am.   

Sounds like an adventure.

TrueBrit, I'll bring the pledge to the game on Sunday.

What should I take on the bus? I've never done one of these before. Does the bus have a bathroom? Us old guys don't have quite the holding capacity we used to.

I figure a hat and sunscreen for sure, a carry water bottle? Anything else?

Zero dark five thirty is brutal but this could be a fun adventure.

I've never taken the bus before. If I've gone to away games, it's usually half the team sandwiched in my RAV4 and fortunately not that far. I doubt that they have a bathroom, but you will be able to ask them to stop anywhere. Giovanni should be there, so if your Spanish is a little wobbly, he can help out.

Mainecoons, I will expect a complete and comprehensive report on the bus trip.
And the game.  

OK, here it is.

First the bad news:  We lost.  0 to 3.  They scored on us twice in the first half, once in the second.  

The story of this game was ball control, passing with precision and playing one's position instead of chasing the ball.  They did that, we tended to chase the ball particularly after we got behind.  This team looked on average older and bigger than our guys.

Our boys played with real heart and energy, otherwise the defeat could have been even worse.  This other team had a really strong fast break straight down field, built on some serious long passing ability.  They kept us on defense most of the time and you can't be in that position and win at soccer.

The good news is that we aren't eliminated yet.  We don't have to beat these guys by 4 goals, only by three as our overall record is better.  If we beat them by three, we advance to the championship.  We can beat these guys with a little more discipline and focus.  

It's a long shot but our guys play really well at home.  Everyone needs to be at the field at 5PM on Sunday.

The bus trip was a Mexican adventure.  The bus was long in the tooth, half the stuff didn't work including the air conditioner and it was the usual underpowered older Mexican vehicle but the brakes were good and the driver was skilled and cautious.  The road to Tepic is full of long grades.  There were no extra seats, the bus was stuffed with family and friends.  I thought I was going to have to give up my seat for a family member and was ready to do so but we crammed everyone in.

Well, at the end of the game, this conversation ensues and next thing you know, we're on the way to the beach at San Blas.  Several hours later, we're there.  Not much of a beach town, pretty run down, but man, what a beach.  This is one of the best body surfing beaches I've ever been too.  We improvised for swim suits using team shorts and in we went.

I shot wave after wave until I got tired and retired to a beach side restaurant for chow and beers.  The kids got a laugh out of the old guy (me) shooting all those waves.  For me, it was a fantastic experience as I didn't expect to get back to the beach this season, let alone to a beach of this quality.

We made it all home safe and sound at 1 AM.  This had to be one of the most fun days I've had since arriving in Mexico.  Got to practice my Spanish, see a lot of interesting sites and share time with a really great bunch of people.

See you all Sunday, 5PM!  This is the make or break game, we really need to turn out for this one.

Sounds like a great time even with the loss.

When we played this team during the regular season, thay seemed to have much bigger players and i believe we lost 4-0.
Glad you had a good time Mainecoons. Thanks for representing us.
I wish I could be there Sunday.   

I wish you could be here too.

TrueBrit, don't forget to find me and get the donation I owe the team.

Mainecoons, thanks for representing. I'm glad you made it ok. I was told on Wednesday that there would be plenty of spare seats and I didn't know if anyone from IL was going to go so I didn't mention anything. Glad it worked out. I saw the photos on the beach - at least that part was a blast.
And I will collect your pledge on Sunday, hopefully along with all the other money from pledgees (except Zen). Whatever the outcome on Sunday, you know they are going to play their hearts out from what I understand is a very physical team. So expect fireworks and a lot of passion. See you all then.

It was absolutely my pleasure to go, it was a real gift. What a day!

We may not win on Sunday but it has been a helluva first season. Let's turn out and let these guys know how much we are impressed with the coach and players of this team.

Beside Mainecoons analysis, Ed gave hi assessment following Giovanni's match report.....
"a report from Giovanni. He says that we lost goals in 26th , 40th minute and then again in the 70th minute. They sound like the same team we played when last in Tepic, they brought in 4 or 5 bigger players from their 3rd division team and beat us 4 nil. The positive thing , according to Giovanni, is that we had 5 chances to score, 3 before they scored and failed to take any of them .We only had one chance the last time, had a player sent off and were under pressure all the game. The other positive is that this team does not travel well according to their away results and I believe this is because their 3rd Division players have their own game on week-ends and will probably not travel with them. So there is every chance, if we play well, to win this tie and advance to the final.(This is the only team we have played who have looked bigger and older than us and the referees were definitely homers)we should have their cards checked carefully before the game."

Very interesting. They were definitely bigger and seemed older. This could explain that observation.

The game on Sunday is at 4pm. (according to one of the players I just spoke to)

Can we get a confirmation on this? I've got it posted on TOB.

They have been doing these games at 5 but might be doing it earlier so the other guys can get home sooner.

Earlier in the season we were playing at 4, we need to confirm the time ASAP.
I will be spending my Sunday afternoon fixing various pieces of equipment, and cutting 4.5 acres of grass.
Damn, I wish I was in Ajijic.   

The game is tomorrow!    

I checked and it appears it WILL START AT 5PM.
The player I spoke to yesterday may have confused the time they were expected at the field with game time.
A couple of other kids on the Union Ajijic Facebook are sure it's 5pm.

Just show up at 4.
The bar will be open.   

Losing is part of the lesson of the game. Not a bad experience for young adults. We all need to learn it!

See you at the game at 5 on sunday. Lower field on revolution I assume?

Z

Zed, game is at 5 PM!  Lower field on Revolucion, that is correct.

zenwoodle wrote:Earlier in the season we were playing at 4, we need to confirm the time ASAP.
I will be spending my Sunday afternoon fixing various pieces of equipment, and cutting 4.5 acres of grass.
Damn, I wish I was in Ajijic.   

we wish you were in Ajijic too. Ozzie would love to go to the game  

0 to 0 at close to the end of the half.

Z

WE WON 3 - 0!!!!!!!! We are off to the finals!!!!!!!

WHAT A WILD GAME. TWO PENALTY KICKS! OUR GUYS TOTALLY DOMINATED!!

This is fantastic. When I have more info on the finals I (or Phil) will post here.
Go Union Ajijic.