Well, I just got back from my work at Yishun Swimming Complex and I’m quite tired now. It had been several months since I last work as a lifeguard at the pool. This time round, I was assigned to work at the competition pool, also known as the deep pool. Gosh! Boring like hell for the past 6 hours. Cooling weather, little people, no blowing of whistle… I was just trying to keep myself awake at times…

Back to the main topic for this entry! It has been some time since I got to play a wonderful soccer game. The last time I played was like last Friday, earlier on was with my classmates; Raymond and gang; and after that, was with Jimmy and the rest. Although I scored a few goals at the earlier game, the latter was quite challenging for me as I was to play in a defensive position. I don’t play defensive positions, such as central back or the flanks yet I tried. It’s very different but still, I tried.

This week’s soccer, I did my very best to be the ‘god-like’ defender, similar to Adnan or Adam, who were both not around that night. With no one playing defensive at that moment, I just put my best pieces of play to push the ball back to the front to prevent the opposition from attacking. Although I made a few mistakes, I guess I was doing pretty well on the ball, especially the passing and of course, defending.

While we lost our next game after winning the first due to a silly mistake, the worst was up ahead. When we went head to head with the same team again, this time round, it was rough tackles and nasty play from the opposition. Their players could come as near as next to the player when we execute a kick from the lines and yet when we are near their goalie, yelling was what we got, as if we do not know the rules of the game.

The last straw came from me when I got the ball near the opposition goal post and was about firing the shot, when 3 players tackling me like nobody’s business. Pushed by the goalie and a player, with an additional tackle from the other, it was the last straw of my tolerance. I yelled with the ‘F’ word and cursed for their play. “Push, push, push! You want to hug me you can don’t do that alright?!” Walking towards a player, I guess he got shocked, thinking I was going to punch him but instead, I gave him a hug. Since that was what they want, then why not?! What’s the big fuss if you want a hug from me and yet you can’t get it so you start pushing?!!

Andy was yelling, saying that why I didn’t just punch him or something? Well, why should I? I meant, I will be stupid for punching him. Sportsmanship is about respecting the game, as well as your opponents. If I give a punch, that’s it! Must well I’ll be in the Wrestling sport instead. As we grow up, we should know our limits towards certain stuff. When rage comes first in your mind, you will not be cool enough to think of anything. Letting your anger to control you is a unwise and unprofessional decision.

Not looking at the perspective of playing professional but think of any tournaments if we are into one, if I give a punch, I’ll be booked and it’s the team loss. I don’t sabotage my mates or opponents for that. If you think of punching the person, then you are the loser at the end of the day. I don’t see Jack, who’s playing the hockey league, to whack his opponent’s head with his stick for being frustrated with the player? Now if he does, then he is nuts. (Well, I know he won’t do that??!!)

The game ended with a victory by us. I nearly scored but hit the post. Sad isn’t it. I was doing fine all the while and a good handshake at the end of the game settled the issue of my temperate character. Towards the team’s play, I’m still contented with it. Just a few errors and the negligence from the players for defense was the only concern for the day.

The only disappointment was no one was giving a chance for Jack to play. I mean… if you are injured and you want to substitute with someone, just do it. Changing your position does not mean that you will perform well. Every man for himself? That’s a nice phrase but if you are not performing, it means you need time to think how you are going to improve yourself.

Haix… Soccer for next week is stopped as I’m attending a wedding dinner at night. Alright, time to rest.