Lucy Zeezou's Goal (9 page)

‘Today, we're playing for the right to be crowned league champions. Let's get stuck in from the kick-off and force them onto the back foot. First to the ball from the whistle,' Coach James lectured us in the change room. We were all fidgety, with nerves setting in as game-time drew near, but Coach James knew how to settle his team. ‘Let's forget about last night's hot dates and your fancy moves on the disco floor.'

There was an explosion of laughter. Disco?

‘I want to see fancy footwork on the pitch! Dylan and Morgan, it's important that we support our strikers: you need to control the midfield to make sure Lucy and Harry see a lot of the ball. Then we'll have plenty of movement up front. Utilise Morgan's speed and look for each other. Dugald, Jasper, Taj and Jonathon, I want you to guard the back line with your life. Don't forget to get the ball out wide to Brandan and Jared. Most importantly, support each other. Communication is the key. I want to see a
clean sheet today. Now, you all know what's at stake.'

‘Yes, Coach, we're ready to take them on,' Brandan said, and we all nodded.

‘Good, that's what I want to hear. So let's get out there and show them a united team that knows how to win. Most importantly, get out there and have some fun … but not too much.' Coach James gave us a big smile and wished us luck. We ran onto the pitch to the sounds of encouragement from the sidelines.

Suddenly a familiar voice stood out from the rest. ‘Princess, good luck!'

I looked over and saw Grandpa watching proudly from the sidelines, wearing a huge smile.

‘Oh, my little princess, don't dirty your pretty pale pink outfit. Come on, my princess, you can get past those bad, bad boys. Just don't mess up your hair,' a voice mocked from the other side of the pitch.

‘Ha ha. Who's that scaredy-cat trying to make fun of me?' I demanded, trying to get a better look at him.

‘Who else would it be, Zeezou? It's me … the best player on this pitch,' he boasted.

‘I should have known it was you, Max … carrying on in such a childish manner. Look out, you'll be watching me zigzag straight past you in just a moment. Then we'll see who ought to wear the tiara.'

‘Oooh, it's Lucy Zeezou the comedian. You really have me worried. Let's catch up when I'm holding the trophy
with my new team mates.' He stretched his arms out to mimic celebration.

‘You can't stop us and you know it. Game on!' I trumpeted.

Just before the whistle blew, Bella's voice interrupted the stand-off. ‘Lucy, I need to talk to you.'

But the game was about to start, so whatever she had to tell me would have to wait. She really didn't seem to understand sport.

Even so, I was excited that she was here, and because this was the first time Grandpa had come to watch me. Nanna would have loved to come too, but she still needed plenty of rest. And anyway, she was helping by keeping Mama busy. I wished I didn't have to fly out today. I'd have loved to stay and hang out with the team after the game.

The whistle blew and we attacked from the outset. We started working our way down the pitch but we were all a little nervous, and I was finding it hard to focus.

‘Lucy, what are you doing?' yelled Harry.

‘Oh, sorry.'

‘It's not like you to mistime a pass. Your head's in the clouds. Focus!'

‘All right. No need to get shirty,' I bit back.

‘Come on, let's lift our game,' Brandan demanded. ‘Stop bickering and get on with it.'

‘Lucy, play your way into the game,' Coach James instructed from the sidelines.

I was having a very ordinary first half so far. I was struggling to stay focused … there was too much going on. I had to regain my composure.

‘Mark up,' Coach James yelled.

Oh no, too late! Our opponents had just sunk one into the back of the net, thanks to a superb strike from outside the box by their talented forward. The score was 1–0 to the Dolphins … Harry threw me a filthy look, and I returned a tough gaze, standing my ground.

‘Come on, team. We can come back … we've just got to focus. Heads up,' urged Brandan.

‘You can do it, princess. Come on, Dunbar!' Grandpa encouraged from among the crowd.

I could also hear Bella yelling at the top of her voice, ‘Go Dylan, come on Lucy.'

Bella was yelling out support for Dylan. What was that about?

I miskicked yet another pass and sent it flying out of Jared's reach.

‘Dunbar, we must keep possession,' bellowed Coach James. ‘Lucy, come on, get onto the ball and let's see those goal-scoring boots.'

I had to pull myself together. It had been a long time since I had a family member barracking for me on the sidelines. Nonno Dino was always at my games when I was little, and it felt good to have Grandpa here today.

The ball came my way, thanks to good service from
the midfield. I made a run and looped the ball back inside to Dylan. He delivered a beautiful pass back and then I put in a cross to Harry, who was free on the left. He volleyed the ball, connecting perfectly with his right foot and sending the ball into the top right-hand corner for the equaliser.

1–1. The Lions were back in business as the half-time whistle blew.

We walked off with a sense of satisfaction. It was a relief that we'd pulled one back, but we still had a lot of work to do if we were to win this game and the league. And I needed to pull my socks up or I'd be keeping the bench warm.

Coach James delivered the half-time talk. My head was down, as I was disappointed with my wayward performance. But Coach James remained positive as usual.

‘Heads up, Zeezou, lads. Despite a slow start we're back in the game, but we need to keep more possession. Brandan, I like the way you're leading the players. Keep up the encouraging words. Defenders, let's get tighter at the back and talk to each other.'

Dugald interrupted, ‘We need to get stuck in and stop the fancy stuff, just pass the ball.'

‘You're right. Zeezou, Harry, good work in the last five minutes but I want to see that throughout the rest of the next half. No more chatter and more focus on your roles. I know some of you are distracted by Max playing for
the other team, but let's just get on with it. We're not far away from a good result, as long as we keep our minds on the job.'

Harry interrupted. ‘I can't wait to beat that traitor.'

‘Hey, now.' Coach James frowned. ‘That's an attitude I don't want. We're playing against a team and Max is just another player. Now, I'm going to make a few changes in the second half. Anyone tired?'

‘NO!' we chorused, all determined to stay on and finish the job.

‘Remember, one step at a time. Another goal and we're on our way to the Champion of Champions. I believe in you. So let's go, Dunbar Lions, let's go!'

Coach James pulled me aside. ‘Zeezou, is everything okay? You seem a little distracted out there.'

‘Sorry, Coach. It's the first time Grandpa and my friend Bella have come to watch. I'm not used to having my own support on the sidelines and hearing my name called out. But don't worry. I know what to do. Zeezou's back.'

‘I have confidence in you. Now get out there and show me your best so that we have something to celebrate. Either way, I'm going to take the team out for pizza afterwards.'

‘Oh no, I can't come! We're flying back to Italy straight after the game. I'm sorry I haven't told you earlier but I only found out yesterday,' I replied, disappointed.

‘That's one way to get out of training next week! Lucky
you, off to Europe. We can celebrate when you return. How long are you going for?'

‘We're away all of the school holidays, maybe a bit longer. I'm really upset about missing games in the tournament, but I have no choice.'

‘We're going to miss your skills, but hopefully you can make it back in time for the final. I'm being very confident, of course, about our pending win today. Now, the whistle's about to blow and right now I want you switched on.'

We ran back on for the second half. This time, I could hear Grandpa and Bella expressing their support but I didn't acknowledge them. I just looked straight ahead and kept my eyes on the ball. I knew that Grandpa would understand, but Bella probably wouldn't. I could imagine the conversation, with Bella hurt and confused that I wasn't waving back:

‘What's wrong with Lucy, Mr Dib?'

‘Well Bella, she's just putting her head down and bum up. She means business …'

Harry stood unusually close and whispered, ‘Lucy, we can get another one. Look out for me, I'm going to surprise them. Max will regret ever leaving us.'

‘Okay, but please forget about Max. Just give me the signal and I'll be there to back you up,' I said.

We kicked off and found ourselves on the back foot right from the start. The Dolphins had come out
determined, attacking early and pushing their way up the pitch.

Even so, Dugald had the back line under control until one of their strikers surprised him with a shimmy to find space. He came close to giving the Dolphins an early lead in the second half, with a shot on target.

Thankfully, Felix was having a good game. He leapt to the ball to make a great save. He cradled the prize in his arms, to our relief.

We traded chances for the next twenty minutes, neither team relenting until Harry finally found a way through. Jared spotted his run and unleashed a long ball which headed to Harry's feet with pinpoint accuracy. He outmanoeuvred the defenders in his path and set himself up to take a shot on goal. But he hadn't seen what was heading his way.

‘Man on, Harry!' I yelled at the top of my lungs.

We looked on in horror: we could see what was about to happen. Max was charging towards him like an unstoppable steam train. He caught Harry off guard and collected him like a vulture honing in on its helpless prey. Harry was taken out by the full force of Max's tackle and fell heavily on his back while Max cleaned up the ball and sent it back to his midfielders. I was so furious – surely it was a foul? Max had struck Harry from behind with his studs showing, but to my astonishment the referee played on.

There were shouts of dissent from the sidelines.

‘That was a dangerous tackle.'

‘Ref, he could have broken his legs.'

‘Penalty!'

But they fell on deaf ears as play continued up the pitch. I ran out of my position and chased after Max, but luckily for him I was instructed to return up front. ‘Lucy, don't retaliate. We fight for the ball not the player!' yelled Coach James.

With just five minutes remaining and the score locked at 1–1, we quickly worked the ball back up to our end of the pitch again. I looked out for Harry and spotted him still lying on the ground.

I screamed, ‘Kick the ball out. Harry's still on the ground.'

Jasper was running with the ball. He kicked it out and the referee blew his whistle. We ran over to check on Harry, including Coach James. His left boot was delicately taken off to reveal a swollen ankle and grazes seeping blood along his legs.

‘That scumbucket. Look at what he did. I'm going to sort him out,' he grimaced.

‘Harry, calm down. It was a very heavy tackle but I don't think Max meant to hurt you. Unfortunately I'm going to have to take you off. It looks as though you may have twisted that ankle, and it needs some ice. Look on
the bright side – you didn't lose a foot, just a boot,' Coach James joshed.

‘Very funny, Coach, but I think I can still play,' Harry insisted. He attempted to stand but quickly crumbled back to the ground. He had no choice but to leave the pitch.

I tapped him on the shoulder and whispered, ‘Don't worry, Harry. We'll sort it out on the pitch.'

Now we were even more determined to take the game to them and perform like champions. Kurtis came on for Harry, eager to make his mark. ‘We have to take them by surprise. Coach James wants the defenders to push up, use our set piece and storm the box with all bodies. Whoever has a chance must seize the opportunity and strike. Jonathon, he wants you to stay back in case they break through. The rest of us need to go for it. Time's running out.'

‘Lions, we can do it,' Brandan yelled.

We managed to fight our way up the pitch as Kurtis negotiated his route towards the opposition's goal. He beat three players and off-loaded to me. I zigzagged my way through and passed to Dugald, who surprised our confused rivals as he pushed forward. He spotted Jasper on the run and sent the ball just ahead of him. Jasper gained possession and let all his tricks out of the bag, leaving the defenders in his wake. Unmarked, he cracked the ball from outside the box straight past the keeper,
but it hit the crossbar. The box was full of bodies but I managed to time my run perfectly. I collected the rebound with a scissor kick that sailed past the disoriented keeper for the winner, right on the full-time whistle. The Dunbar Lions had secured a spectacular 2–1 victory. I exploded into a series of dance moves and finished with a pirouette and a bow to our ecstatic supporters.

I think my celebrations may have caused more of a stir than the winning goal. It didn't matter, I was one of the boys and they let me know it by lifting me onto their shoulders and chanting, ‘Zeezou, Zeezou, Zeezou!'

Coach James burst onto the pitch with a satisfied smile, cheering and congratulating us. ‘I'm so proud of my lions and lioness. It was a joy to watch you play such good attacking football. I knew you could do it. Brilliant!' Then he led the cheers for our bitterly disappointed opponents. ‘Three cheers for the Dolphins … hip, hip, hooray, hip, hip hooray, hip, hip hooray.'

They reciprocated and we all shook hands.

To my great surprise, Max came over and congratulated me. He looked deep into my eyes. ‘A cracker of a goal, Zeezou,' he said.

‘Um, thanks Max,' I mumbled, feeling a little un comfortable.