By JP the Editor

The Cozumel Marlins showed us why they are the best team in the Riviera Maya by defeating the upstart Playa del Carmen Los Chicos in the finals of the Tournament of Families.

The tournament was organized and sponsored by Desarroyo Integral de la Familia ( Organization for the Family Integration).

“DIF is dedicated to help the disabled, children, unwed mothers, and any family member with problems. DIF is promoting sports so that the children have something better to occupy their time with rather then finding their way into the streets where drugs, graffiti, or joining gangs may be an attractive way to spend their time” says the organization’s director Ernesto Calzada.

2 Teams form Cozumel, The Chachorros (The Puppies) and the Marlins with 2 teams from Playa del Carmen, Colossio and Los Chicos vying for the title, the stage was set for a Friday night on the pitch.

First up, Los Chicos played a valiant game against a strong Chachorros team. Teams had numerous shots on goal and with strong goalie play and tenacious defense, regulation play ended. Faced with a shoot out to see who would play in the finals under the lights, both teams set up their best 5.

Boom, Goal - went the first player from Chachorros, Boom Goal – went the player from Los Chicos…………until the last two. Chachorros hit the cross bar and all Los Chicos would need is just one more goal to get into the finals. Tortuga was up – The Turtle –

Chucky and Simon had no need to look. They knew that Tortuga, their Captain of Los Chicos, would take them to the finals. And with one last kick it was a boom – and it was a Goal!........

Los Chicos had defended home turf from the invaders across the sea and now entered the finals to face the winner of the other semi-final match – Marlins vs. Colossio.

With one team set, the Marlins took the field and scored 2 fast goasl against a slow and disorganized Colossio team. At the half it was Marlins 2, Colossio 0. Under the lights now, Colossio came out smoking and out gunned their complacent and over confident opponent by scoring 2 within the first 10 minutes of the second half. Awakened by the barrage, the Marlins tightened their defense and the game ended in regulation as 2 – 2.

“Another shoot out!” remarked an excited parent in the stands. “Come on Marlins!” “Shoot the Fish” was heard in the background. The excitement was building to see who would face Los Chicos and get the trophy.

In the shoot out, the Marlins dominated and took down Colossio and sent them packing. The comeback ended in a whimper and the Marlins decided that it was going to be their game.

Defeated and dejected, Colossio lost in the 3^rd place game against Chachorros 4 – 1. Coach Lopez of Colossion said “We were just deflated in this game. The kids had nothing left”.

In the finals, the lights were bright, the night was crisp and fresh, the grass was fast, and the fans were ready!

It was Los Chicos, the hometown favorite against those maruders from that Island out past the reef, The Cozumel Marlins.

The game was swift, fast, passes were sharp and players bodies were flopping and flying around. But this game ultimately proved to be a defensive game whereby the Marlins took 21 shots on goal to Los Chicos 13 and neither team could put the ball in the net.

At the end of regulation Coach Sergio of Los Chico’s said “Here we go again”. Los Chico’s were up first and boom Chucky hits the Top Cross Bar – No Goal! Taking Control, the Marlins score the next 3 in a row and Los Chico’s respond with 2 of their own. Score Marlins 3, Los Chicos 2. With their 4^th player up, one more goal, the Marlins would take it. He shoots, He scores – opps – hits the side bar and bounces on the line NO GOAL! Los Chicos still have a chance.

The 5^th and last player for Los Chicos shoots and scores. Scored Tied 4 – 4 with the last player up for the Marlins. All this combat and it comes down to 1 player and 1 goalie.

And with one swoop of the leg, the Marlins kick the ball into the net sending the crowd of Cozumelians into a futbol frenzy of chant and song. “Marlins! Marlins! Marlins!” the crowd shouted.

Tournament Director Senor Ernesto Calzada from DIF presented the trophy to the Cozumel Marlins. All teams shook hands and congratulated one another. “A success for all. We be back” says Coaches Sergio and Fernando Chico of Los Chicos. “It was great fun for all” says Director Calzada.

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