Our football correspondent reports on the second most important match of the weekend - Verfeil v Rehoboth.
Normally matches are over 90 minutes with two 45 minute halves, but this Sunday's match at the Verfeil stadium was split into three 30 minute "halves" when local stars entertained the crack Rehoboth international XI. Unfortunately the visitors were wearing trainers and borrowed boots which restricted their mobility on a slippery pitch. Several of the Pakistani boys, who had been so adept at cricket on Friday. were actually playing their first ever football match and I imagine the sight of two girls playing (one on each side) was even stranger to them. But the African boys, especially Malik - who is really quite talented - held the team together and with some heroic goalkeeping kept the score to 5-0 after 60 minutes.
There was some adjustment to the teams at this point, Verfeil transferring their star player to Rehoboth in exchange for a novice (but game) goalkeeper. This led to Rehoboth actually winning that session 1-0 (plus a disallowed goal), net 5-1.
After the match all went back to the Salle des Fetes for fruit juice (plus the odd beer) and fouace. The refugee team thanked the hosts for their generous reception and some new links were forged to mutual benefit.
The Rehoboth boys want a re-match as soon as possible, but home commitments mean it could be a few weeks away.
Pictures in posts below.
comments to taglines82@gmail.com.
