Match Report by Alessandro Onano
M5 3-3 Indian Gymkhana
In what can only be described as a nail-biting clash of titans, the 5s faced off against Indian Gymkhana, ending in a thrilling 3-3 draw.
In Robbo’s absence, we were ready to tackle this challenge head-on. His parting wisdom of “quality hockey and play as a team” echoed in our ears as we took the field, determined to prove that teamwork makes the dream work—even if we were a little underage and slightly outmatched.
Our defence was anchored by the timeless trio of Alessandro, Raj, and James, who played like they were defying the laws of ageing. If you combined their ages, you’d have a fascinating history lesson, yet they defended with the vigour of young lions.
Things kicked off with a bang—unfortunately for us, it was Indian Gymkhana who struck first. A quid-prod-quod in our midfield led to a swift counterattack, resulting in a stunning backhand finish that left Niccolò, our last-minute keeper, no chance. Down 1-0 early, we could have easily crumbled against a team known for their prowess.
But the Gators aren’t ones to back down. Kyle got us on the board with a classic team play, levelling the score after some relentless pressure. Then, in a twist of fate, Indian Gymkhana retook the lead, making it 2-1 after a defensive mix-up that saw Raj’s unfortunate deflection end up in the back of the net.
Yet, we responded! A beautiful buildup from Waquas to Akash, culminating in Richard’s pinpoint pass, set up Alex to deftly lob the ball over the onrushing keeper, bringing the score back to 2-2.
The excitement didn’t stop there. Kyle then turned on the afterburners and, after a lightning-fast counterattack, found himself one-on-one with the keeper. He might have made it look a tad dramatic—almost flubbing the simplest of finishes—but luck was on his side as he scored to put us ahead 3-2.
However, just as we thought we had the match in our grasp, Indian Gymkhana struck back again. They equalised with a well-executed short corner, making it 3-3 and ensuring the match ended in a dramatic stalemate.
Waquas and Joe were buzzing down the flanks, creating havoc for their defence. Sohan orchestrated the midfield, while Akash—our Man of the Match—showed remarkable poise, making significant contributions all over the pitch.
Kian may have been known for his two cards, but he also put in a solid defensive performance. Aryan showcased his work ethic, sacrificing for the team on both ends. Richard was a constant threat up front, forcing their defenders into questionable decisions while recovering lost balls in midfield.
Despite being just 14 years old, Niccolò stood tall in goal, making a good save at the end.
Alex showed great personality (and perhaps a few too many words, leading to two cards) but also netted a fine goal and nearly had another. Kyle, with two goals and commendable restraint against the opposition’s provocations, demonstrated maturity beyond his years.
In the end, a 3-3 draw felt a bit bittersweet. With so many under-16s on the pitch, going down early could have led to capitulation. Instead, the 5s rallied beautifully, proving their mettle against a well-drilled Indian Gymkhana. Each player contributed to the fightback, and the final result, while respectable, left us hungry for more.
Onward and upward, Gators! Until next time, may our hockey be as exciting as this match—and may the referees remember what a penalty looks like!