A game where sometimes you put everything you have in you to win it. Soccer... That's what I mean. Throwing your bodies to get the ball and getting the points to win the league. Below are the statistics I've got from the tournament...

Match against / Score / Result / Team scorers:

Vs. Hakim --> 1-0 (Lose)

Vs. Adib --> 0-1 (Win) --> Wei Teck

Vs. Sion --> 1-0 (Lose)

Vs. Vishnu --> 0-2 (Win) --> Eugene x 2

Vs. Bala --> 3-3 (Draw) --> Jack ; Eugene ; Jimmy



Match Highlights of the team:

Jack - A one man showdown while againsting Bala's team, dribbling past 3 players before scoring the goal. With strong set-pieces that could bring the defence down. Moreover, being the team's planner on the match against Sion's team although it leads to a 1-0 lost to the team.

Jimmy - Able to head the ball at the dying minutes against Bala's team, making sure the scoreline is 3-3. A great defender and midfielder, fighting tirelessly for the defense.

Eugene - Being a goalie for most matches but ended up being the top scorer in the team. Saved a number of goals and had splendid shots that earns the team's victory.

Szaywan - A solid performance for most matches. Although he didnt score a goal, his vision was there for the team, to prevent more goals from entering the net. An important tool for the team as its main defence in most games.

Wei Teck - Able to lift the spirits up for the team while against Adib's team, providing the rest to roll on the dice. However, missed several shots when opportunity was there.

Not used: Gavin - Out for school. Has been missing in the tournament for 2 straight years. M.I.A.!! -.-"


Overall: With hard work, the team did get 2 wins, 2 lost and a draw to get 7 points in the league, getting the 3rd placing among the 5 teams. We rocks!!


About the day...

Gavin's absence brought me with a mixture of feelings. I'm worried because there isnt a good goalie that would help us to stop balls from entering our own net. However, another feeling in me was that Eugene was the goalie and I felt more secured with his pair of save hands. While in the morning, I only had two small buns and thats it for the whole tournament.

I did refereeing for the whole morning and most of the referees doesnt seem to be using any cards although they are all provided. For me, I nearly wanted to show the yellow card as I was handling a quarter-final match. One of the guys whacked the ball for the penalty before I could blow the whistle. I asked for a restart and there goes the chaos. I shouted back the reason for the foul and everyone started to apologise. Well, it seems that referees should have the right to screw players who just want to create their own rules on the pitch. Well, I dont care as its either you win or lose. I'm just doing my job to be fair and square.

Anyway, Jack was late for the tournament and I was really worried with the team. The reason was simple. We are short of one person and we cant afford to play in such a way against the rest of the teams. He was late for about 20 minutes but luckily the tournament started late. Count it to be his lucky day. We started to practise at the picth and it was a disaster for me. 10 shots that I had hit and 6 of them hitting the crossbar??!! That is a wrong timing to have that happened. Anyway, I did score at the later part in the tournament, which was a huge relief after all.

Soon, the Open Section of the soccer tournament begins. First a lost to Hakim's team due to a goalie error. After that, the next match was a victory against Adib's team. I got the ball, pushit forward, whack ti and it goes under the legs of the goalie, into the net. The whole team was on fire after the goal but I wasnt. I was dying for rest. Seriously, you dont expect someone to run like a bull with only having 2 little buns for breakfast. I called that 'staving' if no one understands what I'm feeling at that time. Anyway, compared to last year, we still win Adib's team for the 2nd time and both times, I was the scorer. Jack only scored once last year but that was enough for us to get the 3 points.

Then, while againsting Sion's team, we lost 1-0, again to the goalie's error. However, it was a good game as we make them feel so frustrated as they keep hammering us with shots all over the pitch. Our score of 1-0 loss was not as massive as Hakim's team, who lost to them by 6-0. Compared to last year, it was a great improvement as we were able to maintain our defeat from 3-0 to 1-0. That was a good tactic from Jack, as well as Hakim, who adviced me about certain issues to mind of.

Then, we had the match against Vishnu's team. They are really jokers for the day. Before our match begins, they asked for a 5 minutes break to eat their lunch. Before we played the match, they told us that if they lost the match, they have an excuse. I dont know whether it works for them but all I know is that we won the game with 2 goals, all done by Eugene. Szaywan played as the goalie while Eugene begin to play upfront, whacking both shots into the net. After the game, I guess our team do accept their excuse for not playing that well. Moreover, the moral of the story is not to eat anything before you play. LOL!!

The last match of our fixture was against Bala's team. It was considered the match that we must win in order to get the 3rd spot for the whole tournament. However, if we lost the game, we would be 4th, just like the previous competition. The pressure was intense and I wasnt feeling that good. I was exhausted, hungry and was suffering an injury at the thigh, after recieving a knock by my opponents.

Well, the match starts and within a minute, we were down by a goal. The second goal came after another minute or two. We are down, badly down. I couldnt run further as the injury was too much to bear. I end up exchanging roles with Eugene. Although I was the goalie, I allowed another goal to strike into our net. 3-0. We are totally down, really deep down, sinking... However, at a glimpse of hope, things started to change. Jack got the ball and dribbled past 3 players before slotting the ball into the net. 3-1. That was what need to strive on. Then, Eugene with a long shot which hits the net again, 3-2. Everyone's morale was boosted and at the dying seconds, a corner was given and jack chipped the ball. Eugene wants to head it but failed to do so. Luckily, Jimmy was behind him and he got the ball into the net. 3-3!!!

From my view, everything seems to be like slow motion. The ball slowly hits Jimmy's head and I was ready to shout 'GOAL!!' Haha... The match ended with a 3-3 draw, which resembles the match between AC Milan and Liverpool, where Liverpool does a fight back from 3-0 to 3-3 and win the Champions League. Too bad, we didnt have penalties or else I guess we could have won. Haha... We got third in the end but due to some bad records done by the score master, we got fourth placing. Jack and I went to ask Mr Siva to check things out again and we got our trophy. Its our first trophy for playing in the Charity Soccer Tournament in the past 3 years.

While for me, I was glad that everyone did strive their best. I know I wasnt playing my best but I'm still pleased with the goal I scored. The previous night, I told myself that I must score a goal to dedicate it to someone. Eugene score goals for his beloved, Jack score goals for his gal, I guess. While for Jimmy, he score goals because of Henry or for Arsenal?? I dont know. As for me, I score that goal for you, Shafira. This goal is dedicated for your Mum. She's always proud of you no matter where you go, as she's gonna bless you always... A simple goal, that lies with a simple wish... That's a dedication...

I guess I would need time to nurse my injury and prepare for my ICA exams that are coming soon. After skipping lessons at the same day for 2 weeks, I guess I need to catch up more!! Gosh!! I may play badly on that day but still, results are delivered, which doesnt matter right now. As I continue to grow, I learn more things and mature. Let's just hope things are getting better for me in the pitch in the next game.