Is this one a keeper?

[Kasterborous]

KOSCHEI OAKDOWN: IS THIS ONE A KEEPER?


Pictured: Koschei Oakdown making an aerial save against Seoul Mythic FC

There has been a recent buzz regarding Matchday 14; for the team CA Buenos Aires sees their newly acquired goalkeeper debut on Saturday's match.

The goalkeeper, Koschei Oakdown, was and still remains to be a very unfamiliar name among the Soccer League, so we set out to find out more about the man who has propelled himself, quite literally, into the limelight.

We had arranged a meeting just a day after the match, to which we had the chance to sit down and talk with Koschei. A man who you would not expect to be a goalkeeper, lacking the height of course.

Genna Hayes: Good morning, Mr. Oakdown. I'm Genna Hayes of the Small Times Soccer Magazine. Thank you so much to agree to meeting with me today.

Koschei Oakdown: Morning. Koschei will be fine. Not a problem at all, hope the journey here was not too bad for you.

First impressions had been that Koschei was a very relaxed and laid-back man, soft spoken with hints of his past living in Leeds. He had previously told me that his family who he lived with, his mother, sister and two brothers were all out currently and such the reason why today was perhaps the best day for the interview.

GH: Of course, not bad at all. I hope you won't mind me kickstarting our interview by asking a little about you and your background.

KO: Sure. Uh, well, there's not really much to say about my youth apart from that football has always been a part of it. Y'know, a little kick around with my dad in the garden turned into a life-long obsession - maybe that's not the right word - dream to eventually turn professional. Like any other young lad or lass, really. I was balancing that between my school and education, working my way into Leeds' youth club program.

GH: And your family?

KO: Mum was Sheffield, Dad was all over the place. He was a military brat, thought I might end up going down the same route but instead I'm a goalkeeper.

He gave a laugh, certainly could say that amusement was clear to see behind his eyes.

KO (cont.): I'm the eldest out of my siblings, with my sister coming a few years behind me and my two brothers are still going through secondary school. They're all mostly academics, though of course each of us still hold a great love for football. Even if its a point of contention to which teams we're all supporting.

GH: Oh, so not everyone supports Buenos Aires?

KO: Hah, no, no. I like to say my younger brothers are still trying to find the teams that they like the most, and often its a case of the team of the week - or whichever one is winning at the time. My sister supports BA as her main team but she's definitely more of a Leeds lass.

GH: Right, that must make for a rather interesting dinner table conversation.

Koschei gave another amused chuckle this time.

GH (cont.): So, why goal keeper?

KO: Being a goalie has been because its a challenging spot on the pitch, whilst it's not the most active in the sense of running about but it's the needing to remain on my toes, read the field of play and hopefully be in support of making sure the other team doesn't score during the match. It just felt more natural, despite what people have said about me being too short to play goalie.

GH: Well, your performance on your debut match certainly gave viewers and fans a taste of what you can do. How was that?

KO: It, was amazing. Great feeling. I won't say I wasn't nervous, it's very nerve wrecking being the last line of defence as a new goalkeeper for a team but I'm honoured that our manager had thought today was a good time to debut. I thought that we had definitely played well during the first half and turned it up on the second.

GH: You made some great saves. That aerial dive was quite incredible.

KO: Ah, I appreciate that. Thank you.

He came off as a rather humble man who didn't really know what to do with compliments, and such things were bound to come his way the more games he'd play.

GH: I'm sure that I've taken up enough of your time, I look forward to speaking to you the next time if you'd have me back.

KO: My pleasure. Thank you Ms Hayes.

GH: Anytime.


Written by Genna Hayes; Small Times Soccer Magazine
01/05/2022
12:30 GMT