Well, it all started when my friends and I had to stay back for co-curricular activities that Wednesday. We had just returned from La Salle after buying our lunch. We were enjoying our food when one of my friends got a call from his dad. After a small conversation, my friend enthusiastically told us that his father had 3 free VIP passes for the Arsenal vs Malaysia match, which was taking place that night. And, he was asking if any of us wanted to join him for the match.
I immediately agreed and told him that I wanted to go. Then, it hit me that I was supposed to get my father's permission. I called him and surprisingly, he agreed. Another friend of mine also agreed to join us. My other friends were a little disappointed for not getting a chance. Their parents were a little strict about going out to far places and there were only 3 tickets.
Around 3.30, I followed my friend back to his house. I couldn't go back to my house because there was no one to send me to his house so that the father could take us to the train station (we planned to go there by train). At his house, I did my biology homework for about half an hour. After that, my friend and I went for a walk around his housing area to get something for tea.When we returned, my other friend who was supposed to join us arrived. We quickly had our tea and muffins and got ready to go for the match.
We had to take 2 trains to the stadium. This was a first time experience on the train to Kl with friends for my friend whose father got the free tickets. So, on the way, I was explaining my experiences on the train for the past 2 years. In the second train, it was getting very crowded as many football fans were travelling to stadium by train as well.
After some hassle, we managed to get to the stadium. It was amazing-the atmosphere. The footballing feel started from the train station itself as many different football items were sold from the station all the way to the stadium. The best one for me was the vuvuzela-like horn. It was so loud and was the perfect tool to create the joy and spirit of football. We got one each and made our way into the stadium.
The matched had already started for 2 minutes when we finally took our seats in the VIP section in the stadium. The moment we sat, Arsenal were awarded a penalty. Aaron Ramsey converted the penalty and sent the keeper the wrong way. By half time, Arsenal were 2-0 up, Theo Walcott got his name on the score sheet.
During the break at halftime, my friends and I decided to get something to eat as we had not had our dinner (we were hungry on the way to the stadium but the excitement just kept us going). Then, we got another surprise when we found out that food was provided for VIP ticket holders. We were delighted and gulped in as much as possible before returning to our seats.
The second half was what the Arsenal fans had been waiting for. Arsene Wenger, the Arsenal manager substituted the young players who played in the first half with the stars of Arsenal-Van Persie, Arshavin, Vela, Song and a few others. It was really like a dream. Never once had I imagined I would be seeing these players playing football in reality. It was quite unbelievable. The match ended with Arsenal outclassing the local team by score of 4-0.
The best part of the day was right after the match. The players were walking up the staircase ( it was right next to the VIP seat that I was sitting in) to receive their winners medal. And, I actually got a chance to get a handshake from most of the Arsenal players. Again, it was like a dream to have shook hands with Arshavin (he is my most favourite Arsenal player), Walcott, Van Persie and Carlos Vela. I actually slapped myself to check I wasn't dreaming.
After that, we immediately left the stadium to get our tickets to get back home. It was quite a struggle to get my tickets for the train from Bukit Jalil to Bandaraya but I managed to get with the help of a kind man. We boarded the train and walked to Bank Negara station to get our train back home. Bad luck struck us there.
We discovered that the last train had left and the train station was closed. We had no choice but to call my friend's father to come all the way to KL city at 12 midnight. We walked back to Bandaraya station as it would be easier for his father to pick us up. I finally reached home at 1.30-the latest I've come back home after an outing with friends.
What an experience. It was truly amazing to have had the chance to meet Arsenal players face-to-face although I'm a Manchester United fan. Within a few hours, it turned from feeling bored to attend the co-curricular activities in school to feeling excited after shaking hands with world-class footballers. And, the reason I gave this blog post the title Extraordinary Time was because I experienced great football, great food and great girls (of course) !
P.S. I was just joking about the great girls. They were quite average :P
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