Rhian Wilkinson's Official Website

RHIAN'S SOCCER JOURNALS:

PREPARING FOR FINLAND 19th January 2008

I had a sore and sleepless night last night. Nights often are disturbed and restless after a game, with all the bumps and bruises, and trying to get comfortable.

Saturday morning we headed out for a session at 11:00 am, thinking that we were in for a light jog and stretch for the starters and training for the substitutes. This is not what happened.

Even and the coaching staff really put us through our paces. And, I have to admit that the heaviness and tiredness in our legs soon dissipated. Who knew that one way to get rid of post-match aches and pains is to run, run and then run some more?

On the way to training, we witnessed the first automobile accident any of us had ever seen in China. Although we spend most of our time here cringing and yelping from one imminent impact to another, the accidents never seem actually happen. The driving here is "creative" to say the least, but no one really moves all that fast because of the density of the traffic. There is plenty of honking, hand gesturing and car bullying, but most maneuvers accomplish what the drivers desire and they emerge with cars intact.

So, it came as quite a shock to actually see a car demolished, after it had apparently hit the side of a city bus. There were a few inconsistencies in the situation though, that even we could see. I am sure that the Chinese police will have fun working it all out. First, the accident occurred on one of the only streets we have ever driven down which has no traffic on it; it is the road that circles the stadium. Second, the bus which was hit, was facing the wrong way on the street. All the traffic signs show arrows going the opposite way to that which the bus was facing. "Interesting My Dear Watson."

This afternoon was spent resting, getting treatment, hydrating, eating our daily dose of carbohydrates ( lots of rice and noodles here), and walking around outside. Tomorrow is our last game on this tour, and we are playing against Finland. I am looking forward to it.

We have watched quite a bit of game tape on the Finns, and they look to be a good team. We want to round off this Four Nations tournament with a strong win and a good all round team performance.