MATCHDAY

*Originally written on 8/21 from Namasuba Primary School Field*

Today is the first time that the SWB boys will have an "official" match since we've been here. Deo has arranged for two friendly matches with a group from a neighboring town. It is interesting to watch the boys wait to suit up. They all wait anxiously at the Youth Center's door for us to let them in to choose their kits. The older boys go first, wearing the red tops with white shorts. The younger boys get second pick, wearing the blue tops with red shorts. there is some sort of transformation as they put the uniforms on. They no longer look like the misfit crew that shows up to the training pitch everyday. They look proud to wear the mismatched kits. They look unified. The look like they are part of something bigger than themselves for once.

This round object-
It doesn't talk,
It doesn't fight,
It only made us friends.
~Ibrahim, Namasuba Primary School Athletic Director

2:50 - Juventus Namasuba is the team we will face. The younger teams are starting first. The ref is really liking the whistle. The game hasn't even started yet. He just keeps blowing it to get the teams to line up at the midline.

3:07 - GAME ON: Only one hour behind schedule, not to bad. The ref still likes the whistle...A LOT.

3:11 - GOAL: SWB scores off a free kick from about 30 yards out. Right over the reach of the keeper.

3:20 - HALF TIME: One-Nil, Soccer Without Borders.

3:27 - START OF SECOND HALF

3:31 - REF ON THE PHONE

3:47 - FULL TIME: One-Nil, Soccer Without Borders.

The older team is up now. They look pretty formidable from the side line. This looks to be a much more interesting match. Although the younger teams have skill, they lack structure and creativity in their play. Hopefully this will be a better match.

3:54 - GAME ON: Much better play already.

3:57 - GOAL: Ronald, captain for SWB, has lobbed over the keeper from 40 yards out.

4:01 - Strong shot from the right winger for SWB, equally strong save from Juve Namasuba. The striker was unable to convert off the rebound.

4:10 - COW CROSSING TIMEOUT: Apparently, some farmer felt that NOW was the best time for his cows to cross the field.

4:16 - Shot from Juve Namasuba goes dangerously wide. The striker had the keeper caught out, he just couldn't quite keep the chip on target.

4:20 - HALF TIME: One-Nil, Soccer Without Borders.

4:23 - START OF SECOND HALF: After a quick break, the game is back on.

4:28 - SECOND AND FINAL COW CROSSING TIMEOUT: The farmer has no remaining timeouts.

Although this ref has not blown the whistle nearly as much as the first ref, he has mad some pretty horrible offsides calls.

4:45 - Corner kick for SWB. Well placed into the center of the box. A SWB midfielder got a head on it and put it on goal, but it glanced off the corner of the crossbar and out for a goal kick.

4:47 - GOAL: The SWB right winger put in a strong shot on goal, which the keeper parried away, but only as far as the top of the box where the SWB striker was able to control the ball, dribble around a defender, and bury it in the center of the net. (Actually, there are no nets... consider it a figure of speech...)

4:48 - FULL TIME: Two-Nil, Soccer Without Borders