Worse position to be...

... in 4th place.

We lost a close match against the Russians, by 0-1.

We GB girls played with our hearts all throughout the match, the goal in fact should have not happened after a water break - if there was a water break, it should be during a throw or a goal-kick not a corner; which results a goal scramble.

I had the role to man-mark Russia best player, she is a professional in the Italian league. I am please to say she didn't score in this match, when she scored 3 when we lost 6-2 earlier in the competition.

I had to come off after 70 minutes, I was getting weaker and was feeling not too good. A sign of dehydration, so the medical staff took me off. I have to remind myself that I haven't played a full match since last November before my knee injury, so I must take this as a positive performance.

After the match, I feel physically fine - a few knocks as to be expected.

I am now looking forward going home to play for my club and do well in the league.

Gonna dash to breakfast!

Will blog later.

Disappointed

Just a short blog.

We lost semi-final against USA by a close margin, 2-1.
We fought to the end of the match, which left the Americans respecting us massively. Also they never cheered to gloat at us, so now we gonna cheer them on in the final against Germany.
So the bronze medal match is all left we can fight for, we know 4th place is the worse place to be. Guess who we will play against? Russia again!
We still believe we can beat them.

After the match, we had free time. So my dad and Andrew my brother in law went to Taipei 101 tower. It was lovely to spend time with them, we just chilled out.
Afterwards we went to athletics to watch the Women Hammer final, Women 800m Semi-final and men 200m semi-final.
We got a bronze in the hammer (we got gold in the last Deaflympics), Got through in the 800m final and one lad in the 200m final. Our 800m runner has the fastest time in the qualifying, we are pinning our hopes on her to win our first gold.
Not forgetting we have Rajeev Bagga in our badminton singles, he has been number one player in the last 5 deaflympics - yes! you are reading right! Over the last 20 years, he has ruled Badminton singles - but it was only this Deaflympics that he is playing for GB after changing his passport from India.

Well that's all the news from me, we having a rest day today. We plan to watch the GB men play for 9th place.

Tough oppostion

We lost against the Russians in our group match, the scoreline did not reflect on our hard work into this match. But it had to be said that Russia did outclass us in terms of performance.
6-2 was the score.
A lot of disappointed girls, but the management quickly said we now have a second chance by getting through to the semi-finals. Our opponent will be USA who got gold 4 years ago at the Deaflympics in Melbourne, so we have a really tough match tomorrow.
I didn't play in the Russia match, in my mind I could believe I could make a difference in speed and strength I have. But in my coaching mind, I wouldn't have gambled on using me by being out for most of the season.

Yesterday afternoon we had free time, so a group of us went to the city to eat and then went shopping. I only bought a hat. I am hoping I will get another chance to have some free time to go out with my father and Andrew (brother in law). Corinna (my sister) has asked me to get some mascot stuff for her kids and my nephews. Andrew has also asked me to help out to decide on getting clothes for his girls.

We girls had a bit of fun in my room last night as Carly bought her I-pod, so when music was played - some of the girls were dancing and laughing. This was just the tonic we needed after losing badly to Russia. When the girls finally left my room, I decided to watch DVD - High School Musical 3, I fell asleep...
So I am up early this morning, got another hour before breakfast - so I have quickly jumped on the Internet to say hi to everyone.

Plans for the day.
8am - Breakfast
9.30 - Meeting
10.30 - light swim session
12.00 - Lunch
1.30 - Rest or treatment
4.30 - Meeting
6.00 - Dinner
9.30 - Bedtime.

By the way, if you are wondering - the temperature in Taiwan have dropped massively. It is still hot, but bearable hot. Its like our British hot summer.

Keep well everyone, and keep reading my blog.

Emotional..

Just a short blog from me today.

We won against Thailand, well... in fact we slaughtered them having scored 18 goals...

I played in the last half an hour, I was over the mood when I got the nod to play. I had an easy task in the back, but I made sure that I performed.
Yeah I made a few errors, like my placement was slightly out of place on the pitch - I normally play in central defence, but I played as right back in this match.
Its a habit of mine to evaluate on myself.

At the end of the match I cried... when 9 months ago the chances of me playing in the Deaflympics was almost zero to none after my ACL Reconstruction on my knee. But now the reality has happened to me, that I played... I am still pinching myself!

Now we have free time this afternoon, I am going to my room to sort out bits and bobs. Then for Karly GB physio to help me stretch my hamstring.

We have won 2 matches, so we are now in the semi-finals. But we need to beat Russia to top our group and that won't be an easy ride.

I am getting some cool messages from my family, friends and colleagues at home.
These messages does me wonders, I had a great match but these messages are icing on the cake!

So thanks everyone!

1st match over...

This is me with their mascot - Tree Frog.

I reckon it was a cooler morning than it has been for a while, unless we are used to the weather...

Our first match is over, with us beating Japan 6-1. Two of our girls got a hat-trick each; leaving our coaching assistant to clean their boots later!


I didn't play in this match, but by sitting on the bench with our national anthem played was a proud moment, but I didn't actually hear this. It set ripples on my arms that I am now at the Deaflympics, when my dream was nearly over with a serious knee injury last November.

The head coach admitted to me that he didn't think I will make it on time, even though I do wish my knee injury did not happen - then I would have more an active role on the pitch.

We have the opening ceremony tonight, so wearing our GB kit with our flag bearer holding our flag with pride is very exciting.

Also it will be very cool to walk with my father and Andrew (my brother in law).
Andrew is here with the Tennis, as he is the only one who can understand international sign language in the tennis group.

I better be off to get some power nap before a long night at the open ceremony.

Keep well everyone.

Hot Day

It was a hot day today with temperatures reaching 38, but the wind has been a massive cooling factor for us.

We had our friendly match today against the University team, they gave us all a good game. We most certainly learnt a lot about coping in the heat and the formation of the team, mostly positive I would say.
I was over the mood when I got a run around in the last 10 minutes, my first match since last November 2008. The feeling was great, I felt very lifted and raring to prove myself more. I made some solid tackles and sprinting, my confidence is there. I am pleased....
Though I am a bit rusty at some areas, but am glad we have a few more days of training to polish that up.

Tomorrow we are having a rest day, going sight seeing in the city. Most of the girls want to shop in the mall, but I want to see Taipei and their culture. I can shop anytime in the UK.
but we'll have to see if we can.

We are having our first Team GB meeting tonight, there are about 120 of us here. With us being the 8th country with the most athletes. Russia leads with over 200 athletes, then Germany - they are in the same hotel of us. Some of the players feeling riled seeing the Germans here, we have history with them.

Just going to my room now to have a quick shower and rest for an hour before dinner.

By the way, I got a couple letters from my Dad - they were from my mum and my sister Corinna. The letters were great, with funny news and words of encouragement.
I miss them terribly, but I am lucky I have my Dad around.

Keep reading my blog over the next 2 weeks, this will be on the official GB Deaflympic website in the next few days.

4th day

Its now the 4th day in Taipei.

Yesterday I was sick at training, but nothing came out. I was physically and mentally exhausted afterwards and had to skip swimming in the afternoon to get as much rest as possible.
But today was a massive improvement, I felt much better than I did in the first 3 days.
Today training was good for all of the girls, we felt pretty good afterwards.
We are starting to understand how to play football in hot weather and the hard ground, I have yet used my studded football boots - only using my astro boots, mainly because of the threat of getting blisters.

We went to get our photo ID for the Deaflympics, of which we need to wear to competitions.
There has been a rumour that the opening ceremony tickets has been sold out, are we talking thousands and thousands of people going?! Knowing the Taiwanese (Chinese), they like to be extravagant. But people are saying that Jackie Chan will be there! Pretty awesome if he were!

Tomorrow should be a good day, as my father is coming in from the UK as he is a part of us. So it will be good to have him around.

Just signing off now, as it is 10pm here and I need my sleep ready for tomorrow's training.

Keep well everyone!