A German army team that had conquered the city of Kiev organized a match against a team of old Dynamo Kyiv stars, starving workers working in a bakery. The pride of Aryan supremacy must be displayed before the natives. The army put up posters all over the city. A match between the German military team and the Kyiv City Start team consisting of players from Dynamo Kyiv and Lokomotiv Club. Army generals lined the front seats. Behind the German army. The starving people of Kiev came to watch the game in rags and rags at the back of the broken gallery.
The referee turned away as Kyiv players were repeatedly kicked. Long periods of starvation and torture were evident in their play. But when Germany’s first goal fell, their pride was hurt. They memorized the tricks even in great pain. Korotic, who was not even able to stand straight, rushed from the midfield with lightning speed and beat the German defenders in a run and returned the goal. Score 1-1.
At half-time, the German army general came to the Kyiv players’ room and threatened: The German team is playing to win. You have to lose. But as soon as the second half started, the Kyiv team took the lead. The referee stopped the game. Even before the return match, the German commander threatened the Kyiv players: You must lose. Play again. The German commander left the field when the Kyiv team scored four goals. The players, Korotic, True Sevich and Balak, were all harassed at work. Army came back with an undefeated Flakelf team. The crowd was reduced so that the Kyiv team could not get support, but the military team lost 5-1. The news of Germany’s undefeated team’s defeat was not reported by any newspaper the day after. Finally came the match against the Rook team. Before entering the field, the players said to each other: Let’s play. Kyiv players hug before the start of the game. With the realization that there will be no such thing as seeing each other anymore. While walking to the field, Korotic said to Balak, who was standing nearby: This will be the last game.
During the interval, the Kyiv team took the lead, and two military vehicles stopped outside. The crowd broke into tears as the Kyiv team won 8-0. The players waved to the crowd. He got into the waiting army vehicles. Some players were shot dead. Korotic died in the labor camp after suffering a broken spine.
Players immortalized by death. Every time the green grass on the field is soaked with sweat, the Kyiv players are remembered. Faith that showed justice to football and did not give up enthusiasm in front of the goal. If you want to die, let it die. Playing to win. Just to win.
Football is not just a game. It is not only happening on the field. In hearts. In relationships. In love and ingratitude and sin and resurrection. Shootout is a novel that evokes the moments full of charm and excitement of football in words. The first sports thriller in Malayalam.
A rare novel that brings to the fore the series of stories from the local game in the harvested fields of the countryside to the state, national and international competitions. But what makes this work most different is the language rather than the story. Rameshan Mullassery succeeds in being able to put all the excitement of the game of football into words. It has already been read in English that the language is full of football. But this is the first such style in Malayalam. Extraordinary style that drives the football forward with every word and line. Success in each game is also a lot of calculations. Not only for the players, coaches and spectators, but also for the management who cares for the teams. If one move goes wrong, crores will be lost. Crores can reach the account when a goal is scored. Every moment is precious. Apart from the coach, there are bookies outside who plan the game and control the movement of the players. They have their bets. There are profits and losses to those moves.
The novel Shootout does not present life in the context of football. Play and matter meet here. Exciting matches of yesteryear are reborn. The blessed and the cursed are full. Hopes are as lost as deflated footballs. From being the purest form of art, the game has been transformed into an entertainment industry. Like cricket reduced from five-day Tests to 20 overs. Like Kabaddi League.
Shootout is an essential novel for fans of football and any sport. The competition of life is filled with the passion and emotion of the game rather than the game itself. Another goal has been scored. Or the goal shot went over the bar. Or missed a penalty with only the goalie in front. The noise doesn’t stop. Clapping and cursing. Now it’s a shootout. If not now, then never. Let’s tie the boots…. our moment has come.
Content Summary: Malayalam Book ‘Shootout’ by Ramesan Mullassery