Fred was about to remove his shirt. As a patriotic sportsman, he wasn’t going to just watch the sports officials have their crooked desires come to pass. Alexa could only watch her husband get so mad and display his anger. “Should I join him or calm him down?” In her head, she couldn’t quite make a clear decision. The referee and linesmen had been so biased and unfavorable, not just to their son’s team but to Tony, their son. It seemed as if the officials had a beef with Tony before the match. He played as the striker, and any small touch he tries to make on the ball is ruled offside.
Alexa placed her hands on Fred’s shoulder. “Honey, please be calm; we still have some minutes left and anything can happen. Or should we take a stroll and come back for the result?” Like a wild pet tamed by its owner, Fred became so cool that other spectators started giving Alexa a suspicious look and even whispered to each other, “The lady’s got some charm.”
Tony made it to his school football team in the first year he got admitted, and since then, he has been one of their top strikers for both internal and external matches. Alexa was a bit reluctant to accept Tony’s passion for football; she wanted him to be a doctor or have some profession of which she could be proud as a parent.
“You need to talk to your son; I really don’t think he has to waste all our investments on him. I’ve noticed his passion for football, and that’s not what we want, Fred! Talk to him!” Like many other parents with a perfect view of the expected future for their kids, Alexa poured out all her thoughts to Fred. “I think it’s you I need to talk.” Fred said to himself.
Fred had always been a fan of football and was silently in support of Tony’s football aspirations. When Fred noticed Alexa’s view, he gradually convinced her by taking her out on dates and stylishly exposing her to media content about successful footballers. He was so good at the trick that his wife succumbed in no time. Like every good mother, all she was after was a good life for her boy, and once she was able to see that in football, she had no problem giving Tony her support.
“I just got you these new soccer boots. I have seen something like this worn by C. Ronaldo in his last match against Barcelona.” Tony was surprised to see the new gifts his mother had given him. He was more surprised to see that his mother now watches football. “Doings of a super dad!” he said to himself.
The match between Tony’s team and an external team was at the finals, where the winner will get the cup. It was quite tough, and it was hard to penetrate the opposing team's defense. In addition, it was obvious the officials had been bribed, and this made it more difficult for Tony’s team to even get a shot on goal.
Tony could see his dad amidst the angry spectators displaying their discomfort at the biased referee and linesmen. “This is an absolute slap on ethics and the football legacy!” As Tony’s father remarked, another spectator added some big grammar to qualify the corrupt atmosphere.
Tony appreciated his father’s efforts and support, especially during the break after the first half. Fred talked to his whole team like he was an assistant coach. The coach, Mr. Habeeb, was like a lion cub amidst hyenas; he had lost all motivation due to the bias of the sport officials.
He tried changing formation and bringing in new substitutes during the first half, but this just wasn’t enough to get his team a goal. He really appreciated Fred's stepping in with words of encouragement. “Whether they do what is right or not, we are taking this cup home!” Just as Fred had taught them earlier before his encouraging statements, the whole team replied in unison, “Hoorah!”
The second half was totally different from the first, as Tony’s team was able to get at least two different attempts on goal, but none were converted. The corruption on the field increased and continued as the match was getting close to an end. Tony’s team is not too good with penalties, so the plan of the officials is to make sure the game ends in penalties.
It’s just five minutes to the end of the match, and everyone had already given up, expecting the referee to blow the final whistle. Just like a miracle, in the 87th minute, a long pass located Tony, and he was one-on-one with the keeper. He netted an outstanding goal, and the whole stadium was already scattered in jubilation when the linesman raised his flag, indicating that the goal is nullified; it’s offside.
About five spectators, including Fred, were about to make their way to the linesman but were controlled by security officials. “I think I need to mark the faces of these sports officials!” Alexa couldn’t control her anger. “They need to be dealt with after this match!” Fred couldn’t agree less.
In the 90th minute, the referee added an extra time of about 2 minutes. Just as it was about the 91st minute, the opposing team had a goal kick. Like a bewitched servant turned against his master, the goalkeeper mistakenly passed the ball to Tony. It was the worst mistake of his life.
Tony dribbled past him and strolled into the net with the ball! The referee had no choice but to declare the score a winning goal! And afterwards came the final whistle. It was an embarrassing moment for the losers; and a feast of emotional jubilation for Tony's team, Fred, Alexa, and other supporters.
A week after the match, Fred and Alexa couldn’t believe their eyes when they opened the letter Tony brought home; it was an invitation from an international football team offering Tony an opportunity to join their academy. It’s obvious Tony didn’t just score the winning goal; he also took a shot at a better future.