We are Quarter-Finalists

Hello everyone :)
Just came back from the MWS Soccer Tournament, and as most of you would have probably heard already, we got knocked out in the quarter finals through penalties, yes our team's bane.

We started out pretty shakey, as alot of us never really played with one another before, we lost the first match against "Pentecost Panthers" 0-1.
We regained some composure to win our 2nd match against "Faith MC" 1-0.
After a pretty long break for lunch and some matches in between, we fought well against team "CMIA", who are also the sponsor's team that participated, that ended in a stalemate, 0-0.
The next 2 games we played were to our surprise, back-to-back. Immediately after playing "Christ Commets", in which we won 2-1, we had to go onto another pitch to play against "PLMC youth". Fortunately we got ourselves settled fast and controlled the game well, we ended up winning by 4-0.
Our last 2 matches were against probably the stronger teams in our group, "Fairfield MC" and "Aldersgate MC", but we fought hard and gave it our best performances, and ended up winning 1-0 and 2-0 respectively.
All in all we won 5 games, drew 1, lost 1, with a goal difference of 8. We scored 10 goals and let in 2 goals.
Into the Quarter Finals we went as leaders of the group, and we faced up against "Pentecost Pandas". We played our hearts out and dominated the game, but our finishing was lacking. Thus we went into penalties, 3 to be taken before sudden-death penalty. Garret stepped up to slot home the equalizer after the opponents scored theirs. Our hearts cheered as our brilliant shot-stopping keeper Ben Fong saved their second, and up stepped Derek Ong, our power driver, and he did power drive it... over the bar. They scored their third, Daniel replied for us in kind. SUDDEN DEATH PENALTIES!!! *Drum rolls* GOAL as the opponents made theirs. And up stepped the captain, yours truly, to take the spot kick. As usual, I went for the blast shot, with the aim of keeping the shot low and not balloon it, and I did keep it low and on target, but only to shoot it right about the goal-keeper at his chest level. HAIZZZ!!!! Thus, the bane of SSC, shooting and penalties.

But truly I would like to thank all those who came to play with us and helped us get to where we did. Quarter-finals may not be as good as medal winners, but the way the team played, communicated, helped each other and listen to one another, was really phenomenal.
Thanks given to:
Our ever reliable and steady keeper, Ben Fong.
In defense, working tirelessly and chasing every ball and player, Andry, Pravin and Jason.
Our absolutely solid Defensive midfielders, Derek Ong and Falzi (I hope I spelt it right, please correct me if I'm wrong). They were really solid and helped the defense and also distributed the ball.
In midfield and wingers, Shaun Teo, John, Garrett, Daniel and Simon Lim. Out-running many of the opposition and creating space and linking up the midfield and strikers.
Our target men in front, Shawn Kong and Sherman. They held up the ball really well and their vision to spread the play to the wings were really great. Not to mention of course the goals scored.
Unfortunately I did not keep a record of who our scorers were, but overall Well Done Team!!

Once again thanks to everyone who came to help us play, also to the SSC members who couldn't play but informed me in advance so that we can find other players. Also thanks be to God for the good weather today, at most times of the day it was fairly cloudy.
Well SSC, lets look forward to the next game, or tournament. We still play at turf city weekly, but please do inform me if you are interested to come, as we're playing in teams of 7. But please do come join us.
Cheers all and God Bless!!

-chao (",)

Latest on MWS Soccer Tournament

1. The Tournament will be held on Saturday, 6 September 2008 from 8.30am to 6pm at AR-JAS Sports Centre (600 West Coast Road).

2. Event is strictly NON-SMOKING and please do not litter in the premise. Each team to be issued trash bags during registration.

3. Team captains / Managers are to register their teams between 8.30am – 9am. Please submit photocopies of your players’ identity cards to staff on duty during registration. Payment of registration fees can be done during registration.

4. Teams are kindly requested to attend the opening ceremony.

5. There will be a total of 15 players per team comprising nine players and six reserves. Each team will play with eight outfield players and one goalkeeper.

6. Format of play for will be Round Robin with the top four teams in each group advancing to the knock-out stages. In the event of teams having the same point’s total; the team with the better scoring aggregate will advance.

7. Please note that in cases of walk-over, the team present will be awarded a 3 – 0 win.

8. In the knock out stages, there will be NO extra time. In the event of a tie after the stipulated playing time, there will be a penalty shoot out to determine the winner. 3 penalty kicks for each side and if score is still tied; sudden death shoot out. In the event of a penalty shoot out for any of the Q-finals or Semi-finals, the timing for the next match will be postponed by 10mins.

9. Champions will be presented the CMIA CUP (Challenge Trophy), top three teams will be presented with medals.

10. Substitutions during a match are unlimited but once substituted, the player cannot return to the match.

11. Bibs are available but kindly return after use.

12. Tournament will be played in accordance with FIFA rules except offside rule. Offensive language used will be punished with yellow cards.

13. Managers / Captains are to be responsible for the discipline of his/her charges on and off the playing field. Any damages to the property due to the charger’s action will be accorded to the respective Manager / Captain for action. This will include any compensation arising.

14. All players must be properly attired with soccer boots, shin guards and with jerseys (numbered) tucked in.

15. Decisions of the match officials and organizer are final and we reserve the right to disqualify any player and/or team for unruly conduct in or outside the match area.

16. Foods are on sale during the event. All proceeds will go towards supporting our programmes and services.

17. All games are 20mins long and will only consist of 1 half.


CMIA-MWS SOCCER TOURNAMENT 2008
6 SEPTEMBER
AR-JAS SPORTS CENTRE
PROGRAMME

8.30AM REGISTRATION
9.20AM CHAIRMAN’S OPENING
9.25AM SPONSOR’S SPEECH
9.40AM KICKOFF
11.40AM – 12.20PM LUNCH
4.40pm FINALS
5.05pm PRIZE PRESENTATION


Players I've got at the moment.
Goalkeeper: Ben Fong
Defenders: Jason, Chao, Pravin, Shaun Teo, Andry
Midfielders: Eugene Kwok, Derek Ong, Daniel
Strikers: Shawn Kong, Simon Lim, Sherman

There are only 12 players above and I still have slots for 3 more as we are allowed to register 15 players. Please help me find the players!!! Defenders will be MOST WELCOMED!!! Dont mind other players too though.

-chao (",)