We will rock you

Before I start, I have to tell you something about “Soccer”. It is the most popular game in my country. You can see the young boys, the teenagers and sometimes the mature adult playing it in the streets, the gardens and any other open areas. It does not matter what is the size of the playground. They will adjust the number of players, the timings and even the rules. As long as they are playing, fighting and enjoying their time, the rest will be settled.

In Egypt we have two famous football clubs; Ahly and Zamalek. If I have to give you a picture about their popularity, I can say they are like Real and Parsa in Spain. Maybe not well known worldwide like them, but in Egypt, the competition is mainly between them. Whenever they play against each other, this will be the headline for days or weeks. The fans will talk about the game till the next one is taking place. It is one of the most known ways of teasing between the friends and the brothers.

I am a fan of Zamalek, my older brother is a fan of Ahly. One day, I have noticed that he missed the school; He and most of his friends in G10. After I pushed him, and threatened him about telling my parents about that, he confessed. Or to be accurate, he told me it is a secret. And because he knows that I cannot spell the bean so he will take me with him next time. Then he will be safe or both of us will be punished.

Today he told me to be ready. Today is the day. I was thrilled, not only for unveiling my brother’s secret, but also because it is my first time to miss a day in the school. I feel afraid, powerful and excited. I will join my elder brother gang in what they will do today.

After getting off the bus, we did not walk to the school. We wait in the bus station till some of my brother’s friends came. We take another bus to the last station near the fields. OMG!! They are talking about beating them. It is a fight!

Reaching our destination, I see a punch of boys waiting. They all talk together at the same time. I cannot understand what they are saying. But, they are not fighting. They are preparing for a game; A football game. They are divided to two unequal teams. One team is 11 players, the other is 6 players only.

“Why?” I have to ask my brother “Teams should be equal”. He said: “It is a game between Ahly’s fans and Zamalek’s fans. We will play till one team surrenders. And of course you know who!!” A lot of giggles have followed his words. I have to play with Zamalek’s fans. I will be the seventh. This is useless. We cannot defeat them.

We played for more than one hour. At last the game is over. My team has given up. Although we have been beaten badly, (14-5), We have played a proud match. And I am lucky. I have scored a goal. This goal saves my neck. Every time my brother will tease me about that unfair game. I can reply to him : “Yes you won the game but do you remember the marvelous goal I have recorded , Goal Keeper”

:D