We never imagined that after less than a year of the women’s team being formed, we would be hosting our very first tournament.

The lucky ones who got a day-off from flying (excluding me of course).

Warming up…

Up against the HUSTLAS from Dubai…

Re-united with AL REEM of Abu Dhabi…

Facing NEW YORK UNIVERSITY of Abu Dhabi…

Imen and her super header…

We got a new pair of power strikers…

I got chills just by taking this picture. Yes, I’m an orange-hater. Haha.

Our team is growing! What a nice February it is gonna be.

The original Team Love. My favorite part of football is when 2 players of different worlds meet and find love in the field, in this case, it was on the court… during training… one fine day. Ahhh, I should stop now before I start writing a romance novel. *giggle, giggle*

While these photos were being taken, my husband was sleeping soundly at home. What a supporter! Haha.

Our cheering squad!

The queen of all cheerleaders for the Etihad team! Thanks to her, we have wonderful pictures of the team.

Tall Pinay and short Pinay 🙂

Blondie braids…

Our goalie is such a keeper!

Now look who woke up and turned up! The Aladdin world is complete!

Finally, someone to pictures of me and my bruises!

Stealing the trophy!

Master referee taking a break…

Loving support from the Etihad Men’s Team!

Awarding ceremony!

We won second place. It was a very close fight against AL REEM. We almost, almost, almost made it…

The champions again, the same team that beat us last time in the Corporate Games. I have no bitter feelings, they are skillful players.

It was still a good game for us and I am proud of my teammates who played in the winning team. I just wish the Etihad Sports committee would give us opportunities to practice as a complete team and not just bring us together on the day of the tournament itself.

I played in the second team but got a medal anyway. Why? Because we’re awesome. Haha. This is my face receiving my medal…

This was what I really felt inside.

Warning, football rant coming straight up:

I feel like I’m a sucky player since the start of this year. I associate it with everything – my weight gain, the shocking expansion of my leg diameter, my lack of ball-handling skills, my wrong playing mentality, my shortness, my socks, my shoes, my uniform, my ugly toe, anything I can point my finger at, I blame.

During the last game, after I missed a very easy and beautiful pass, I wanted to beat myself and quit football forever.

Something is wrong and I need to figure out how to get out of this pity party. May this medal remind me that there is a silver lining on the clouds that cover me.

Yet even if I don’t feel good enough anymore, I thank God for the opportunity to play the game I love the most.