Updates!!

Hello!
Just wanted to give some updates since my last one.
We've played 2 matches since then. One against some old boys of Ang Mo Kio Sec I believe, or so I was told. That game ended 0-0. A game we probably should've won, but poor finishing was our weakness for that game. Tany had several first time shots but they all went wide, but kudos for trying, good efforts. Defensively we managed to limit them to afew long shots, and having Ben Fong as our shot stopper helped alot. I can't really remember much of that game however, but I do remember we did well despite the lack of goals.
The other match we played was just the weekend that passed. Incidently also a team joining the Sporting Light League that we're participating. They are a relatively strong team in terms of their passing, shooting and speed, in short, they're pretty good haha. We played on one of the worst pitches I've played on thus far, one of them at least. Apparently it rained earlier in the day or the day before. The centre area from one side to the other side was like a mud pool, I was soooo afraid I'd twist my ankle (which I almost did). But credit to the other team, their passing was really defense spliting and they were really fast which gave the defense and midfielders a real headache. By the end of the first half we were down 3-0. We knew we had to play higher up to minimize their midfielders control and giving them less time on the ball, but our defense lacked the speed and stamina. On came Ben Fong who volunteered the central defender's role. That marked a significant change to the game. We played a high line and when they used the long ball tactic, we had Ben chase and slow the player down while the rest of us try to get back. Ben's energy and encouragement really pushed the team to work harder. The difference in energy in the team was evident. Everyone worked hard, ran hard and kept them from shooting as much as they did in the first half. I firmly believe this team we played opened our eyes to see the difference in standard of football at different levels. To be honest, if we played the way we did in the 2nd half for the entire game, I do believe we could've actually won it, provided we don't faint by then haha! But that really tells you how hard the team worked in the 2nd half, we scored 2 and they scored 1, final score for the day was 4-2, another defeat. It has been awhile since we last won a game, but I don't think its because we aren't good enough, in fact we could've been winning, but as far as I remember, we lost afew due to lack of players in a game and missed opportunities. This last game we played has for me at least, opened my eyes to another tactic of playing the game, they were quick, had lots of off-the-ball movement, the game required a fast centre back, which we kinda never had to use before. Good experience for me. I believe many of the players learnt new things too, like spreading out and using the flanks, pressuring the opposition and not giving them time and space to look up etc.
That last game also saw the welcoming of Uncle Keith to the team, debut and he did tremendously well at right back, with 100% commitment in his sliding tackles. Also Uncle Dennis who played his debut at the Ang Mo Kio match. I want to mention everyone who played in the last game because I believe they should all be recognised for the tremendous effort running around and playing with such tenacity, a different level of play then we've ever played before in my honest opinion.
Hope I do not miss out anyone:
Edward
Alvin Hoi
Ben Fong
Jason Wong
Uncle Keith
Lionel Ngooi
Marvin
Jiahao
James
Eduard
Sean Tan
Ian Tan
Simon Lim
Jared Wu (Cong)
Uncle Dennis
Ken Phua
Good job guys, even though we lost, but I think in the 2nd half we came back strong and we took the game to them, gave them little time on the ball, they couldnt hold on to the ball as much and were pressured all the way through. Well done everyone!!

Just an update on Sporting Light League. League will commence this weekend, but we postponed our match because its YC 10th Anniversary!! YAY!! We welcome one and all to come join us to celebrate and see the faithfulness of God in the lives of the ministry we call Youth Connection! Therefore, our first match will be on 26th April 2009, 5pm at Temasek Sec!! We will be getting a new set of jerseys as many do not have the red set we are currently wearing. Numbers and names are to be printed on the jersey as well. Thus players numbers are being chosen at the moment. Our dear players overseas, I do need you to let me know what numbers you guys would like, UNFORTUNATELY though, some numbers have already been taken because we held a meeting last sunday, and priority was given to them to choose their numbers. However, no number is set as yet, except for number 14, which many of us agreed to let Kang Yang take over his brother's old number. Therefore other than 14, please let me know, either by email or by the chatbox on this webbie which numbers you'd like, please state your top 4 choices. If you really really really want a number that has already been taken, I'll let you know who asked for that number and you can discuss with that player, just let me know what the agreement is afterwards.

~chao (",)