2026-07-15, 02:44 AM - Word count:
Well it finally happened, it took 8 games but I finally scored my first goal in the academy. It was a little unfortunate that it happened to come in our first loss, but I guess we weren't going to win every game, so we were bound to lose eventually. In previous games I have had a few close calls and a couple of good chances, but up until this past game I was unable to put the ball in the back of the net. I still can't believe it went down the way it did, nobody dreams of scoring their first goal like that. When I turned around to see my own keeper sprawled out and unable to keep my header from the back of our own net I was instantly dismayed. I think you can actually see me smack my head in shock if you go back and watch the film. All I can do is apologise and vow to be better next time.
To be honest with you, I haven’t really been working on my shooting in practice. More recently I have been working on my jumping and heading. I have been working on getting my game a bit more well rounded for the style I play here in Jakarta. I am largely playing as a running winger who can deliver a deadly cross into the box. I have really had to work on ball control and dribbling since I joined the academy, as that is really a skill that doesn’t come naturally to a former Aussie Rules Footballer. I know that if I keep working hard the technical stuff will come, but what I have really been impressed by s o far is the improvement in my physical skills. When I joined up I was a little out of shape, but I can genuinely say I am the fittest I have ever been, right now. I can run faster and harder and for longer than I ever could when I was trying to make it in the AFL. Soccer truly is just a different game. I run so much further and the guys we are playing against are all so skilled with the ball at their feet. It’s clear to see that they have grown up playing this game.
I will redouble my efforts in training this week to make up for my mistake in the last game. Thankfully we are still on top of the table and we have plenty of opportunities still this season to prove we belong there. I know it is only a matter of time until I score my first actual goal and can forget all about this own goal, or at least try to. I kind of have a feeling that I will be the butt of some trivia question down the line. Which famous international soccer superstar scored his first goal by heading the ball into his own net? Well if that does end up happening then at least I know I have succeeded enough in my career to be remembered.
There are certainly worse fates than that.
To be honest with you, I haven’t really been working on my shooting in practice. More recently I have been working on my jumping and heading. I have been working on getting my game a bit more well rounded for the style I play here in Jakarta. I am largely playing as a running winger who can deliver a deadly cross into the box. I have really had to work on ball control and dribbling since I joined the academy, as that is really a skill that doesn’t come naturally to a former Aussie Rules Footballer. I know that if I keep working hard the technical stuff will come, but what I have really been impressed by s o far is the improvement in my physical skills. When I joined up I was a little out of shape, but I can genuinely say I am the fittest I have ever been, right now. I can run faster and harder and for longer than I ever could when I was trying to make it in the AFL. Soccer truly is just a different game. I run so much further and the guys we are playing against are all so skilled with the ball at their feet. It’s clear to see that they have grown up playing this game.
I will redouble my efforts in training this week to make up for my mistake in the last game. Thankfully we are still on top of the table and we have plenty of opportunities still this season to prove we belong there. I know it is only a matter of time until I score my first actual goal and can forget all about this own goal, or at least try to. I kind of have a feeling that I will be the butt of some trivia question down the line. Which famous international soccer superstar scored his first goal by heading the ball into his own net? Well if that does end up happening then at least I know I have succeeded enough in my career to be remembered.
There are certainly worse fates than that.
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