You wouldn’t think the hair tossing, low talking, yet indelibly lovable Kris Chen (who heads up XL in the US) would be much of a footballer. Having never shown up for our Summer Saucony games, we pegged him as not much of an “‘er” of anything when it comes to balls, fields and sweat.
But, Caius invited him to take on Rough Trade in their weekly football match in London today. Here’s the report he filed:
It was massive.
Early, whilst toughing it out at right back, he was floored by a few hard challenges. Not a nice introduction.
We went 1-0 up then straight down to 1-2. Bit of a crisis in goal. Chen steps up and take goalie duties, in a desperate attempt to stop the flood of goals.
30 seconds in he’s tested with a 30 yard drive. The shot – even though its heading straight at him – poses quite a difficult start but kris drops to his knees, gets his body behind it and takes it cleanly. GREAT technique.
For the next 70 minutes we claw back two goals as kris stops the flow of their goal scoring ways. With the last kick of the game a universal publisher volleyed the ball from 15 yards out. Flying staright to the top corner, Kris lunges and tips the ball over the goal (and the stands). The ball is lost, never recovered and XL/Beggars leave victorious!
Chen hailed as a hero by all.
