What I learn from 'the Champions League 2005'

I viewed more than a few matches in World Cup 2010. Some of the matches reminded me of my first football match I watched with my husband.

Joondanna, May 25th 2005.

My husband, a Reds fan, set up the alarm to watch the Champions League final match, Liverpool vs AC Milan. I woke up half an hour later than my husband, hearing him whining and frowning, deep in my mind, I was pretty sure that Liverpool was at the brink of defeat. I quietly asked my husband to just go back to bed since Liverpool was behind with 3 goals. 

'It's never going to happen,' said an NFE (non-football enthusiast). 

But my husband answered, 'You'll never walk alone!' 

Please be reminded that the NFE, being a NFE, AND had just woken up at the wee hours in the morning replied,  'Huhh?!?!'

'Please Google it tomorrow,' said a grim looking Kop's supporter.

So I stayed with him and luckily, he did not listen to my advise.

Subhanallah, I was chosen to witness the greatest comeback in history!

 Gerrard, with a 'halal' Liverpool jersey.

To summarise the eventful match: Liverpool was 3 goals down to Milan in the first-half. Steven Gerrard struck shortly after half-time and two minutes later substitute Smicer reduced the deficit to a single goal. Then, Gerrard was upended in the box and up stepped Xabi Alonso. Although his penalty was saved, he rammed home the rebound to draw Liverpool level. All this happened within 6 minutes! They must have chanted a special mantra during half-time! Anyway, extra-time came and went with no further goals, meaning an astonishing match would be settled with penalty kicks. Some unimportant and truly embarrassed Italian players all missed for Milan as the Reds ran out 3-2 winners to become champions of Europe for a fifth time.

Whew, not a bad commentating for an NFE, eh?

Anyhow, what I learn from watching the Champions League 2005 final was the word comeback. Liverpool taught me not to give up and panic, though you are down in one of the episodes in your life, don't give up or lose hope! Strive harder to overcome your obstacles and WIN! 

 "What's gonna work? Teamwork!"

The Reds kept on going until the final whistle. They did. And what happened? They won the Champions League after 15 years wait in Istanbul. Yes, they were not in Anfield, their home ground, but they still worked hard, extra hard, together, even they were not in their comfort zone. 

And what I learn from my husband is, support one till the end, even when they looked like they were nearly defeated, why must we leave him/her alone? If one is ill and nearly at the end of their road, will we just leave him/her to die? Loyalty. Faithfulness. Devotion.That's what I learn.

You'll Never Walk Alone (and I know what it means now, after Google-ing it!)

**I dedicate this piece to Kak Mala, Kak Azna and Ayu, cancer fighters and survivors. Keep on going, my dears. You'll never walk alone.