The BEST

Yes! I'm the best. I'm number one! If you want to beat me, you have to try harder! Haha! I'm talking about me being the goalkeeper. Yesterday was one of those game that put me to the challenge. Clean sheet! A few heroic saves! A few good long range crosses! 1 head-on challenge that left me on the ground. I am the man! Muahahahaha! All these to erase away the previous record of 7 goals in 2 matches. Haha!

I've read this article written about goalkeeper a while ago. Very hilarious and yet so true. I cannot remember the writer's name, most probably a freelance writer. He, himself, is a goalkeeper and he was recapturing his glorious and also many of the bitterness of being a keeper. (below statement contains abstract content of the writer)

When we were young and come together for a match of soccer, who is to be the keeper? Everybody wants to have a touch of the ball and plays on the outfield. So naturally, the least capable of all will be entrusted the 'most important role' (that's what the rest always say). Usually, the fat ones are chosen because by the fact they cannot run fast and their shape acts as a natural barrier, they make the 'best' keepers. I cannot remember why I became a keeper but I do remember the challenge, thrill and joy of making saves. That must be the reason why I became a keeper. (ok fine! I was fat too)
I guess as time pass, things does not change - you are still a keeper and your size is still the same or even better, bigger. Once a Keeper, Always a Keeper. Many a times, we are labelled as the easiest job in the game of soccer. We simply stand on the line and make sure the ball does not roll over the line. I wish it was this simple. True keepers do not wait for the ball. They have to be always on the focus, anticipating the ball movement and the whole flow of the game. Any let down of concentration may result in the ball SIMPLY roll over the line. So who says keeper is the easiset job?
And as a keeper, our job is the most undesirable compare to the outfield players especially a striker. A striker can miss 99 shots and score on the 100th tried and pple will lift praises to him. But for a keeper, we can save 99 shots and SIMPLY let in the 100th and we will be condemned as the villian. It is just not fair.
Well, then again, I still love playing as the keeper! Because SIMPLY, I'm the best!