I never thought I would step my foot in Cardiff. 

Yes, that city in the southern part of Wales. I used to know lot of things about Cardiff - the city, the people, and all those statistics. I even picked up few Welsh words and phrases, and secretly had a live Cardiff digital time watch in my laptop - sit right next to Kuala Lumpur, my first home. 

Welsh football, inside out. I read everything I could about Welsh football and even tried to support a team (as you can guess, Cardiff City) and dreamed of watching them play in Ninian Park one day. I even talked to myself into renouncing my allegiance in Premier League to support Championship instead.

And so I moved on.

*

Team Edinburgh is back, with new additions to the concoction; two new players and whole new spirit after a wonderful outing to Dublin few months ago. But this time, we call ourselves Team Glasgow.

It gave me chills when Ang said next up on schedule is Cardiff European Games. I googled for it right away only to find some familiar places like Talybont Sports Centre and some Welsh words I used to know.

On.

And so together we embarked the 12-hours journey on the move to Cardiff. The journey started in Glasgow (one of the reason why we called ourselves Team Glasgow for all that difference in where we came from) and from there, the car traveled to Edinburgh, my place, Leeds and Nottingham before the fleet reached full number to continue our journey to Cardiff. 

I had a little concern about my condition. I have been feeling a disturbing twinge around my knee for a while now that I had to literally drag myself to play all these while. I'd do anything to get over this and not to let this hitch a nasty reason for me to stop playing. That is the last thing in my mind. So I convinced myself to stick on.

Ang said this would be the last tournament he'd joined, the same thing he said to me when we played in Dublin. His passion in football is admirable, having playing actively for 4 years in UK and organized a few along the way. 

He formed an adept team consists of again, a group of guys who share same passion and respectable skills in football. To be honest, I felt inferior playing alongside them. They are the players I would never want to go against in a competitive football match. 

Salim, Fairuz, Afizi, Boon, Khai, Arai and Ang - there are no words to say how privileged I am to be able to play with you guys.

Everything happened so quickly. We scored for fun and the team went all the way to the final before lost in penalty shootout after a stalemate against a team from ironically, Dublin. To lose in final is indeed disheartening if you ask any footballer - but for me, I try to dictate the rational minds that it was a good result. After all, we had fun.

Hence, my second medal after 5 months playing.  I can't believe that I have played in seven football tournaments in 5 months. 

One without the other is the eyes without ears for football is the reason I am alive, my oxygen, my love and my everything. Thanks guys, for this another wonderful opportunity.

Till we play again.

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Ah Cardiff, so many stories.

That was then and Cat Stevens reassured me day and night that 'you may still be here tomorrow, but your dreams may not'.

Till we meet again.