Why Do So Many of Them Have Marine Haircuts?

The game was hard-fought. The first few minutes began with us imposing terms: our rhythm, slow and controlled, patient. The work paid off mid-way through the first half, it doesn't always. With a one goal lead, that patient work we started the game with should've continued, but due to shifting pieces on the field and the mental pressure imposed by our desire, expectations (ours and others),  and the frantic energy of the other team, we caved to their pace and were influenced by their mindset of urgency and force; it can be contagious.

At zero-zero, we played like we were on the top. At one-zero us, we played like we had something to lose. At one-one, we played like we were losing. Always, when equalized, one feels like they are losing, and the team that has equalized feels like they are winning. This is an interesting phenomenon in this sport, maybe in life, since the actual score is equal.

We put one more goal in and shaped their reality and ours the way we had worked to: we are superior; your hope is futile.

It was enough. We locked the result down through control of the ball; our own attacking pressure behind their last line and on their goal; and big, seasoned personalities coming to the surface.