Soccer Coach 2004

Chapter Sixteen: Donaldinho

John woke up alone. He looked at the clock on his bedside table, it was already ten thirty. He thought back to last night. Liz had taken the last bus home, although John had half-hoped that she would miss it and decide to stay the night. Apart from that, the evening went almost perfectly, his jokes were funny (you can tell a genuine laugh from one where someone is just humouring you), he didn't make any of the usual faux pas that ruined his first date with Liz (and countless other dates over the past ten years), he was sure that this time everything would work out.

He went into the kitchen to make some breakfast, almost surprising himself by how clean and tidy his flat was. He guessed that was the difference that wanting to impress somebody made, or that three hours non-stop cleaning made. He sent Liz a text, 'Had a great time last night, thanks for coming over x'. As soon as he pressed send he wondered if the final 'x' was the right thing to add. Texting rules were far too complicated. He then looked at his phone and saw that he had an unopened text from Jamie, 'something important to tell you, plz call.' Maybe he hadn't just come round to play computer games after all. John called him up.

"Hi, sorry about last night, didn't mean to seem rude, just, I was on a date you see. Anyway, you said you had something important to tell me?" John said.

"Yeah, there's this tournament, this chance to get revenge on Bernardo, I entered you for it."

"You entered me? Why would you do that? I didn't ask to be entered."

There was a pause, "Well, you have the right credentials, I thought it was something that you would want..."

John thought about the chance of being humiliated yet again by Bernardo, "How can I play in a tournament, I've only just got the hang of playing the game myself. I would get thrashed in every game."

"If we work together, I think we could win," said Jamie, with his misplaced confidence of youth. "Hmm, I don't think it's a good idea," said Johm, "Thanks for thinking of me, but I think I'll pass."

He could almost hear Jamie's disappointment through the phone as he hung up.

After washing up the plates and glasses from the night before, John started work on his journal project. He was progressing slowly but steadily, but couldn't get Jamie's words out of his head. The idea that he could beat Bernardo, that he could regain his place at the top of the sports analytics table, kept on nagging away at him. Unable to resist, John opened up Soccer Coach 2004 and started a new game.

If he could get York City into the Championship before dinner, he decided that he would give the tournament a try. There was just enough time to achieve the three promotions necessary, but no margin for error. Success would prove that John Greenwood PhD. had truly returned. Failure would prove that he was far from ready from trying to compete against his peers, and especially against the cunning of Zach Bernardo.

After a poor start, York had gone on an impressive run and were just outside the playoffs. It was already almost lunch time and John needed two wins out of two to have a shot of promotion. First up was a trip to Forest Green Rovers, John could feel his stomach rumbling as the first half played itself out with little of note happening. Early in the second half, Andy Bishop scored his twentieth goal of the season to give York the lead. Forest Green had chance after chance to level the match, and John could feel his palms get moist with sweat as the chances got closer and closer. Suddenly a corner came in, and the screen flashed in green and white to indicate a Forest Green equalizer. John felt his heart drop as if he had just bet his house on red and the roulette wheel had come out black. His world stopped. But then, a reprieve; the goal had been disallowed for a foul on the goalkeeper. John breathed a huge sigh of relief. York won the next game three nil, before easily dispensing of Barnet in the playoff semi-finals. Only Carlisle United stood between John and his lunchtime goal. Clayton Donaldson gave York an early lead, before a defensive mistake allowed Carlisle to equalize just before half-time. John threw his coffee cup against the wall in disgust at Dave Merris' mistake. The shattering porcelain masking the sound of his profanities. The game looked to be going to extra time when a through ball found Donaldson clear on goal. Time slowed down, John knew that if he could put this chance in, then the game was all but won. Donaldson tried to go past the goalkeeper, he was brought down. Penalty! Nerves showing, John covered his eyes with his hands as Andy Bishop ran to take the spot kick. The screen flashed red and white. York had won, they had been promoted to the league at the first attempt. John let out a roar as the adrenalin turned into pure ecstasy.

He texted Jamie, 'thought about what you said, will give you an answer by the end of the day.'

After a quick sandwich, John was back on the game, a two-nil win over Notts County had moved York into the automatic promotion spots when he got a reply from Liz.

'I had a great time too, can't wait to see you again x'

Everything seemed to click, John text Liz back and continued with the game. He guided York City to a second place finish. One more promotion and his target would be complete. He texted Jamie, asking for more details of the tournament.

'First stage is this Saturday. Group stage, four teams, best 2 to knockout stage nxt week.'

Only a few days to prepare for the tournament if he accepted. He then got another text.

'Are you free Saturday?' it was from Liz.

John didn't reply. He decided to let the game decide for him. If he got into the tournament then Liz would have to wait. He was starting to believe that he could beat Bernardo and finally prove to the world that he was better than that pretender. A four-nil win over Yeovil Town made the decision for John. Promoted with two games to spare, he texted Liz, 'Sorry, I'm busy this weekend, lets meet up next tues or wed if ur free x'.

He then texted Jamie, 'I'm in!'

3D%22GreY