Deep Breath, Omar
The cup final comes down to penalties, and Omar is the very last kicker.
It was the cup final, and the score was 2-2. The stadium was packed with people waving flags. ‘We’re going to penalties!’ said Coach Pearl the elephant.
Each team would take five penalty kicks. The players hugged in a big circle on the pitch. Omar was chosen to take the last kick for the Midnight Owls.
The first four kicks came and went. One for the Midnight Owls, one for the Blue Comets, and on it went. After four kicks each, the score was level. It all came down to Omar.
Omar walked to the penalty spot. It felt like the longest walk ever. His legs were wobbly. His heart went thump-thump-thump. He could hear the whole stadium breathing.
Omar remembered what Coach Pearl said. ‘Breathe in, breathe out. Pick a spot. Kick it like you do in the park.’ Omar breathed in for a count of three, and out for a count of three.
The whistle blew. Omar ran up to the ball. THWACK! The ball sailed past the goalkeeper and into the top corner of the net. GOAL!
The Midnight Owls lifted the cup into the air. Confetti fell like snow. Omar was lifted onto Daisy’s shoulders, laughing and laughing.
That night, Omar lay in bed and held the match ball. Whether the ball went in or out, he knew one thing. He had walked up to that spot and tried, and that was the bravest thing of all.
The little lesson
You can’t control where the ball goes, but you can always try your bravest best.
Let’s talk about it
- What helps you stay calm when you feel nervous?
- Do you think Omar still felt proud at the end? Why?
Finish stories to collect Omar as a sticker in your Sticker Book.
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