Wednesday, January 9, 2013

The Has Beens - Jay

Two times now I have been able to play soccer with "the Has Beens". These are a group of guys in Suva that get together 1-2 times per week to play in a pick-up futsol game at a local park. The play is descent. A lot of mostly fit and quality players come out. It is smart and touch soccer that makes an exciting and quick paced game. 

Most of the players are 35 and older, are Australian or from New Zealand. There are two other Americans that play, along side a number of Fijian players. At least half of the over all group, I'd gather, played either at a level of college or higher... Or high club ball.

Apparently one of the Fijian players that came out last time used to play on the Fijian national team (when he was younger).  And there are one or two that are out there that really have no place being there... But that's fine too.

The play is fairly physical and competitive, although, they did accommodate the Kreshel boys out here for a few minutes during the last session. Both Creighton and Easton got some touches on the ball during the game. It's a little scary because the players don't really hold back much on the play.  But the boys did fine. 

There are a couple of  young Fijian players (25-30)  that are solid. Super fast, very physical, and quite vocal. What I noticed is that they don't pass much and when they do, they seem to look for other Fijian players. Comfort I'd gather.

For the rest of the group... They are mostly expats from either the embassy of their respective countries, employees at an non-governmental agency (NGO), or the spouse of an employee of one of the above. 

For some, the experience as purely an opportunity to get some exercise, while others leverage it as a phenomenal networking tool. A very cross global group of people with access to great resources.

These "Has Beens" have it figured out!