Soccer Crazy (3 page)

CHAPTER 5

We're the Best

Joel and his brother Jarred are walking towards the girls. They're dressed in their soccer gear, but they look like they've come from outer space.

Carly
(laughing) “So what do you two think you're doing?”

Mai
“And why are you wearing those underwater masks and snorkels?”

The boys mumble that they want to play soccer, but they don't want to catch the red-spot disease.

Carly
“Well, I think that we can play a game with you, as long as you keep wearing those masks.”

Mai
“Yeah, but only if you promise that if we beat you, you won't laugh when we try out for the school soccer team.”

The boys nod in agreement.

Carly
“Let's have a goal kick-off. Whoever misses first, loses.”

Mai
“Great idea! We go first because we're sick, and because we're girls.”

The girls move two rubbish bins to mark off a goal area.

Carly
“I'll go first.”

Carly puts the soccer ball on the ground and then runs and kicks it as hard as she can. The soccer ball flies between the bins. The girls jump up and down with excitement.

Mai
“Great kick! We're one up. It's your turn, Hoover boys.”

Jarred lines the ball up to take his kick. He moves in to kick and then stops and mumbles something.

Mai
(looking at Carly) “What's he trying to say?”

Carly
“Not sure, but I think his goggles have fogged up. Maybe he can't see anything.”

Mai
“Gee, Jarred, that's bad luck about your goggles fogging up. But if you don't take your kick, then we're the winners.”

Carly
“And if you miss the goal, guess what? We win anyway!”

Joel mumbles about having girls on the school soccer team. Jarred runs at the ball and kicks. The soccer ball zooms though the air, missing the goal, and over the fence into the boys' backyard.

Carly
“Wow, look at it go!”

Mai
“Pity it missed the goal.”

Mai and Carly roll around laughing.

Carly
“So boys, you lost! We won! We're the champions and you're the losers—and now you don't get to laugh when we try out for the school soccer team on Monday.”

Mai
“We'll see you later then. It's time for us to go home and wash the lipstick off our faces.”

Carly
“Don't forget to finish the vacuuming and to collect your soccer ball in case it rains.”

Mai
“So, boys, we look forward to seeing you at soccer training next week.”

Carly
“And don't forget—Girlz Rock at soccer!”

dodging
When one player moves quickly away from another player. If you are a good dodger, players in the other team will find it hard to keep up with you.

dribble
To move the ball along the ground by running and kicking it to yourself.

goalkeeper
The person who tries to stop the other team from getting goals.

header
When a player uses their head to pass the ball to another player or to have a shot at goal.

high five
When a player slaps the open hand of a team mate, especially to celebrate scoring a goal.

Check that your boots have studs—you don't want slip over when you're running or trying to kick the ball.

Clean your soccer boots before you play. You'll always play better in clean soccer boots. And if you don't, at least you'll look a lot better.

Make sure you wear a hair tie if you have long hair. There is nothing worse than trying to kick the ball when your hair is in front of your eyes.

If you want to be a really good soccer player then you have to eat healthy food and do regular training. Remember, if you keep on training, you'll play better soccer.

Make sure that you always watch the ball when you are kicking it.

Always shake the hands of the opposing team before the game starts and after the game finishes. And if you win, smile a lot.

Learn to kick the soccer ball with both feet. It will help make you a really good player.

Never talk back to the referee. If you do, you might end up getting a penalty for your team.

And remember the most important rule in playing sport is “Make sure you always enjoy the game”.