Rhian Wilkinson's Official Website

RHIAN'S SOCCER JOURNALS:

VICTORY OVER ARGENTINA IN PEACE QUEEN CUP 14th March 2008

Because I passed out at 9:30PM last night, sleeping through the night was a little tougher than on the first night. I won’t regale everyone with updates on my bathroom visits, although I will tell you that it was similar to the first night.

I was pretty much fully awake BY 5:30AM, but I stayed in bed and pretended that I was asleep until about 7:00am. I was pretty proud of myself for that. Breakfast was a fun one, as Ian had taped the France/Dutch game so we watched that over our eggs, toast and coffee. I loved the game and even though I like France, I was hugely excited to see the Dutch so dominant in the first two games. I used to like watching Van Nistelrooy when he played in the English premiership so I now enjoy the opportunity to watch him again, soooo good. I also think I should mention the fact that the French keeper Coupet is definitely going to be coupe after this past game.

We won our first the game in the Peace Queen Tournament tonight 5-0, with goals by Sincy (2), Dian, Brit and Tank. The score could have been much more for us as we generated many good chances. However, in the first half there were some scary moments. It feels WAY better to win than lose!!!!! This is not a shocking fact, but one I hope we all remember.

The first half was a little hectic and even after D scored an awesome goal just outside the 18 with her left... I think it went top corner, we were not as comfortable as we should have been. There were a few hearts in mouths when the Argentineans hit the cross bar 10 minutes from the end of the half.

The second half was a whole different ball game and we came out firing on all cylinders. I would like to mention the fact that Amber Allen got in for most of the second, she has been out for a year after breaking her leg in a horrific collision with one of the men we play in our scrimmages. Often when people see injuries like that you assume that the players career has to be over, that there is no way you can come back from something like that, Amber showed everyone tonight that thinking like that just is not correct. Her impact was almost immediate when from the kickoff Sincy sent her long down the left flank where she crossed the ball in for Tank’s goal - what a phenomenal start.

Even though both Sincy’s goals deserve a mention, I am going to have to gloss over them slightly as I am tired and only have the energy to describe one other one: Brit's. For a long, long, LONG time now we, as a team.... as well as Brit herself, have been in search of her very first full international goal. Brit is an amazing player and always creates so much when she comes on that it is hard to believe that she has never got one past the keeper. All of this changed tonight on her 81^st cap. I think Argentina was a little annoyed with our exuberant celebrations after the 5^th goal past their keeper, but I think we will be forgiven when they find out the reason for it. We were all so delighted for her.