For as long as they can remember, the Keshavarz brothers have been trying to one-up each other from backyard battles to foot races. If there were a competition to be had, Takin and Sami would find a way to make it personal.
But this Saturday, their rivalry will reach an entirely new level—on a soccer pitch, in front of a crowd, with something to prove.
Takin, a third-year student-athlete on the University of Victoria men's soccer team, will line up against Sami, three years younger but already playing in the Canadian Premier League with Pacific FC. The brothers will face off Saturday night under the lights as the Vikes take on Pacific FC in a friendly inter-city match.
"We're both very competitive. There is a lot riding on this game, as we both have a lot to prove to each other," said Takin. "It's probably going to get aggressive out there for sure. With him being the younger brother, I'm definitely going to try and push him around a little," he continued with a grin.
Takin, who was born in Tehran, Iran, and moved to Canada when he was three, grew up playing school and club soccer in Victoria. After graduating from St. Michael's University School, he played a season at St. Thomas University in New Brunswick before transferring back home to UVic.
At just 16, Sami signed a development contract with Pacific FC and made his professional debut last June. This season, he's signed on as an attacking midfielder—the same position as his brother. That is the exact position they'll both be fighting to control on Saturday.
Their careers moved in parallel growing up but never quite intersected. "I was always giving him [Sami] advice," said Takin. "But now the roles have reversed, and he's giving me advice. He watches my games when he can and provides a really great outside perspective on things I can't really see when I'm in the game."
While Sami is focused on building a long-term career in professional soccer, Takin is taking a different path. He's a student-athlete in the purest sense, balancing a business degree with the demands of varsity soccer, all while working as an intramural sports supervisor at UVic. This past year, he juggled six courses in the fall and five in the spring—his goal to eventually work in digital marketing.
"I want to finish out my university career here at UVic. It's a really great group of guys, and they're always putting a smile on my face. My brother is focussed on playing professionally, but I want to enjoy my time at university and all the opportunities that come with that," continued Takin.
On Saturday, though, the future won't matter; the only thing that will is the 90 minutes on the pitch.
"I'm really excited to get the opportunity to play against him. Our mom and lots of our friends will be there, so it should be a good time," said Takin.
But this Saturday, their rivalry will reach an entirely new level—on a soccer pitch, in front of a crowd, with something to prove.
Takin, a third-year student-athlete on the University of Victoria men's soccer team, will line up against Sami, three years younger but already playing in the Canadian Premier League with Pacific FC. The brothers will face off Saturday night under the lights as the Vikes take on Pacific FC in a friendly inter-city match.
"We're both very competitive. There is a lot riding on this game, as we both have a lot to prove to each other," said Takin. "It's probably going to get aggressive out there for sure. With him being the younger brother, I'm definitely going to try and push him around a little," he continued with a grin.
Takin, who was born in Tehran, Iran, and moved to Canada when he was three, grew up playing school and club soccer in Victoria. After graduating from St. Michael's University School, he played a season at St. Thomas University in New Brunswick before transferring back home to UVic.
At just 16, Sami signed a development contract with Pacific FC and made his professional debut last June. This season, he's signed on as an attacking midfielder—the same position as his brother. That is the exact position they'll both be fighting to control on Saturday.
Their careers moved in parallel growing up but never quite intersected. "I was always giving him [Sami] advice," said Takin. "But now the roles have reversed, and he's giving me advice. He watches my games when he can and provides a really great outside perspective on things I can't really see when I'm in the game."
While Sami is focused on building a long-term career in professional soccer, Takin is taking a different path. He's a student-athlete in the purest sense, balancing a business degree with the demands of varsity soccer, all while working as an intramural sports supervisor at UVic. This past year, he juggled six courses in the fall and five in the spring—his goal to eventually work in digital marketing.
"I want to finish out my university career here at UVic. It's a really great group of guys, and they're always putting a smile on my face. My brother is focussed on playing professionally, but I want to enjoy my time at university and all the opportunities that come with that," continued Takin.
On Saturday, though, the future won't matter; the only thing that will is the 90 minutes on the pitch.
"I'm really excited to get the opportunity to play against him. Our mom and lots of our friends will be there, so it should be a good time," said Takin.
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