It seems like just the other day for a lot of us, that we would dart for the Football field at school, given the slightest chance to get away from the confines of our classrooms. Clad in all blue there seemed nothing more important to do, than to get the black and white ball through the goal posts at the other end. With the aim to revive this strong sentiment for the game, the Modern School Vasant Vihar Alumni association decided to organize a Football Match at school. The date was set for 14th November 2005, Children’s Day. The Venue was the school grounds and the match was to be between the Alumni team and the existing school students and teachers. The reward, a gleaming trophy that would be held by the winning team for the next year until we play again. The purpose being none other than to enjoy the sport and strengthen our bonds with our alma mater.

Now, many of us had not seen a Football for as long as we had left school, whereas a few of us occasionally kicked around with their buddies. The concept of fitness and being in touch with the game suddenly took gigantic proportions and stood as a massive challenge for the Alumni side. After some serious thought process it was agreed to have two practice sessions prior to the game day. The gamble being, that some of us may not be in full playing condition once the practice sessions were through. The weekend prior to the game saw some serious ball play at the schools grounds. Having assessed our strengths the game plan was simple, if the ball comes to you get it across to the other side. We shall not take up the opponent on fitness, this would be suicidal!!

The format of the game was altered, so that no 30-40 year old had to be ferried to the nearby hospital due to dehydration or extreme exhaustion. The game was split into 3 sessions with a break of 10 minutes between each round of play for drinks and of course to catch that much needed breath. Unlimited substitutions were the mantra for the alumni side. The game was to start at 9:30 am sharp on a bright Monday morning. The Alumni team was to be in White jerseys, special MSVV Sport Tee Shirts were available for Team Alumni. The school team was to be in Blue.

Well apart from the “9:30 sharp” and a few last minute drop outs we were all set for the game. It was a special moment indeed to walk those airy corridors and step onto the open grounds that stretched all the way from the naked brick buildings to the basketball courts. We all admired the rows of practice nets lined up at the back of the ground for those budding Sehwags and Pathans, the swimming pool which had been an added feature since most of us left school and of course the locker rooms for us to change in. After being entertained by the school march past and the exercise routine practice for the upcoming sports day, the ground was all ours.

The boundary of the football field was crowded with kids in the true blue mordernite uniforms, expecting a wonderful day of relaxation in the sun, a welcome break from the first four periods of study. The eyes were all on us, questioning who are these guys?! Well one kid even summoned enough courage to walk up and ask, “Uncle, Aapki team kahan se hai?” The stage was set; it was time to deliver the goods.

Mr. Nair, the referee blew the whistle violently and off it went. The school side was reinforced by Mr. Seth as a goalie and two young coaches in the midfield. To our surprise the ball spent a majority of time in the other half, which kept our defence quite relaxed. As soon as the school team pushed the ball into our half, it would be met with a not-so-well-directed but yet effective kick sending it back into their half regardless of possession. This duel carried on for a while, when suddenly a well directed return sent the ball to out star forward Siddharth Mehra (1989) and the result GOOOOOAAAAAALLL!!! The alumni team was up 1-0, a surprise more to the alumni team than the spectators and the opponent. The whistle blew again and the first session was over.

During the break some serious strategy was being worked upon by the Alumni side as Nimboo Paani was gulped glass by glass. The verdict, try to ride on the lead and get the ball away from our half, basically just defend the lead. With this we went into the next session. After a few exchanges of the ball and a few missed chances, suddenly the ball was kicked into an open section of our half with several MSVV players running in. They managed to penetrate, rather outrun the defence and wollah – Goal, the scores were even 1-1. Suddenly the Alumni strategy was out of the window, it was time to reassess. With this also came the end of the second session.

Some more Nimboo Paani and some more soul searching later, a new strategy was devised, let’s attack!!! The start of the third session saw a wonderful pass from the Alumni half, right into the feet of our forward and with a swift shuffle of feet it was struck beautifully into the goal, but alas a shrieking whistle informed us that the play was called off-side and the goal was nullified. Rather than being demoralized this brought in a sudden surge of enthusiasm in the Alumni forwards. They were determined to finish in style. A few nifty maneuvers and a couple of good saves later it happened, Goal, Goal, Goal, Atul Nath (1989) scored for the Alumni. The Alumni Team was up again 2-1. After this it was just a matter of time, the whistle blew for the last time and the result was sealed.

The gleaming trophy was to be ours for the next 365 days, while the school team reworks their strategy and comes back hard (hopefully) next year. The exhausted players were greeted with some wonderful snacks and tea from the school canteen, the staff room was the venue and everyone reminisced their glory days at the school. Meeting many of our old teachers and striking a chord once again was indeed a special treat. After an extended snack break, it was time to leave and get back to those waiting offices once again. Filled with a strong feeling of nostalgia and victory we knew that the phrase Monday morning blues will have a whole new and wonderful meaning in our lives henceforth.

List of Players:
1. Goal Keeper - Arunanshu Maheshwari
2. Stopper Back – Rohit Jain
3. Sweeper Backs – Ajay Rajgharia / Buntee Jain / Sandeep Singh / Ajay Kohli / Arjun Walia / Manav Bhargava
4. Half Backs – Satyavrat Pachisia / Amit Vyas / Sidharth Mehra / Jaideep singh / Pankaj Gupta / Uday Sharma
5. Forwards – Inderjeet Singh Claire / Atul Nath / Rahul Singh

Author: Manav Bhargava