Realization is a Good thing

Last Sunday my elder son participated in a Soccer tournament. Their team of under 10 kids beat both their opponents and came in the finals which were held yesterday.
On the way to the ground the talk in the team car was on who will hold the trophy first and who will get to take it home. Listening to them it sounded like a mere formality, the team will reach the ground and they will score goals, the other team will just run around and flop down.
Well the truth as it turned out was vastly different. The opponents were bigger, fitter and way more aggressive and gave a lesson in football which our team will do well to learn. The first half was a blur and before we knew it we were 2 goals down. And both the goals were due to the fact that our kids were late in attacking the ball.
The second half was better as we fought back and created lots of chances. The final whistle saw us lose 3-0 and the team was totally deflated.
In hindsight it was good as it taught the kids a lesson that they will remember for their life.