Last week I told you a little story of how pleased I was with a group of young players and how even when losing, a lot, but learning along the way made me as proud of a group as I've ever been. We'll call that one measuring success in a different way.
Today this same group blew me away - yes we won for the first time ever - but that is only a footnote to the story of perseverance and courage, a strong word, but the right one that this group demonstrated today. Final result 1-0 but the true impact immeasurable.
It's day two of a tournament, our fourth and final game of a long hot weekend and the game is scheduled on the biggest field in the tournament and it's turf. Probably the only game we'll play on turf this year - a first ever for some and others a second or third.
Our opponents struggling as well and just as hopeful this might be the game - the main difference being they've a sub or two while thanks to injuries, other commitments and late withdrawals I'm down to nine players...
For the first time ever in my coaching career I'm thinking I may actually not field a team but decide I'll ask the players how they want to approach the game, without hestiation - "With positiveness" - "With a good effort" - are among the things I hear...
I'm blown away - they want to play, demand to play. I pull out my notebook and describe a 1-3-4-1 ladies we have to be tactically perfect to have a chance, defend well individually and as a group, be patient, let them have possession especially in their half.
Make them play on the outside and shoot from distance... We tweaked a bit as the game went on, Jasmine you've got to drop a bit more in the back, Tegan, Marrissa when you're coming back tuck in keep them outside, Charlotte press when you think you can win the ball...
Gwen take your time on the goalkicks, Jessi stay central - it's important, Mac look down the line for support, Rose goal side don't dive in there, Erin your hip flexor is bothering you stay back & let them come to you... they were brilliant.
With ten minutes left a central midfielder presses at exactly the right moment dribbles 15 yards and is about to run into a defender for the 200th time this season when suddenly with her team mate screaming for a pass lays a perfect ball in her path...
the new run continues with a desperate defender dogging her all the way... until finally she does mange to get a shot off from the right side that manages to find a way through the keeper's legs and just over the line. Elation all round our second goal in less than a week!
Still time left though but a brilliant save and a ball bouncing back off the bar later, finally a break going our way and then the final whistle... and they handled it like they do it ever day. Stunning. I almost cried.
Three things have made me fall back in love with the game this summer, small countries having international success, an outstanding and very entertaining World Cup and a small group of U15 girls who may never reach those lofty heights but play every game like they might.
