With the binationals football competition drawing near, the boys’ football team of the school is gearing up in practice for one of the most demanding tournaments this season. Early morning practices, team bonding, and overcoming injuries are just some of the many strategies the team employs in their pursuit of victory.
The players believe in their own capabilities, having been training twice a week for the past few months, braving cold weather. Besides being well-prepared, their unity is said to be the most valuable asset for the team. Despite injuries and tough opponents, the team remains focused on their ultimate goal.
For Pedro Abad, a defensive midfielder, preparations have been quite intense but necessary. He emphasizes the cohesion of the team, especially with the new players joining this year.
“The team preparation is going very well. We’re training Tuesday and Thursday mornings, before school, and it’s going very well. We’ve been doing a lot of work to improve the team because of the new members this year for binationals,” said Abad, a senior.
Success on the field, however, does not come solely from practice. Trust among teammates and bonding with one another are considered equally important by Pedro in achieving success.
“Something that’s key is the unity between the team. If you feel comfortable, and if you like the people you’re playing with, you’ll have much more trust in yourself and will do better on the field,” Abad said.
This sense of unity is shared by the team captain, Tomás Arrubla, who has been the vital link in ensuring team bonding. As captain, his leadership style focuses on keeping the team calm and united, ensuring they play as a cohesive unit.
“Everybody’s very close. We all train together twice a week, and we’ve been friends for a long time. So, we are very connected,” Arrubla said.
Despite all the bonding, the team does face challenges, especially regarding injuries. Arrubla explains that many key players, including himself, are injured due to the physical demands of playing for multiple clubs, which puts pressure on them to maintain their form.
“The biggest challenge might be that a lot of people play for other clubs and in other competitions, and they’re getting injured. For example, I sprained my ankle on Thursday,” Arrubla explained.
He approaches the role of captain calmly, having learned how to manage the team’s expectations and emotions, ensuring they stay focused on their task.
“I am very calm. I speak with everyone and calm the team when they’re angry. It’s just about not stressing too much and keeping the team focused on winning,” Arrubla said confidently.
As the final months of preparation approach, the team is focused on building physical stamina and adapting to different playing conditions. This is crucial in a competition that spans various climates and environments.
“Training very early in the cold builds our physical stamina. It helps us handle the heat when we play in places like Cali,” Arrubla added.