I am most pleased to report that SSC has recorded their first win of Sporting Light League. In an exciting and hard fought battle, SSC really worked very hard to ensure Teban Thunder did not manage to win their third straight game.
The game started out with SSC still trying to gain confidence in themselves and shrug off previous losses. It was also a trying time for the team to concentrate on playing their own game and letting the referee do his job. Many players tried to hold their comments to themselves and the team urged one another on to play on the game until a whistle was heard, although given, there were still acouple of incidences where "Ref Foul" were heard.
It didn't help the team's confidence much when team Teban, still brimming with confidence from their 2 previous wins, took an early lead with a thunderous (no pun intended) shot that rifled pass Jeremy from just alittle over the 6 yard box, a well taken shot which would've been difficult for any keeper to save. But the team kept their heads high, and kept enthusiasm high as well. With shouts of encouragements going all round from the sidelines to the players on the field, SSC pulled back a goal with a really well linked set-up. With Dinesh playing down the left flank, providing speed and good runs, he managed to beat the offside trap and raced down the left flank toward the baseline. Once there, he cut back to his right foot and placed an inviting low pass across goal to an oncoming and very happy recipient, in the form of Shawn Kong. The diminutive forward tapped in an easy goal to record his first goal of the season. A fine example of attacking and pouncing. The team in jubilance for pulling a goal back, but constant reminders to remind the team that the game was far from over helped to bring back focus into the team. And it wasn't long before Dinesh, provider turned scorer, to record his 3rd goal in as many games. Shouts of joy erupted from the SSC bench and players on the field as SSC takes the lead. The team maintained its good shape and form to end the half 2-1, in favour of SSC. The team continued to encourage one another, and players were communicating with one another throughout the match. Sensing the opponents need to press for goals, the team braced themselves for a tough 2nd half. The team fought tooth and nail for every ball, every player that went onto the pitch, even as substitutes, ran and chased every possible ball, tackling with maximum effort and tenacity, and all the while keeping the shape of the team and not letting the opponents gain rhythm in their play. In an attempt to try and salvage at least a point, the opponents battled extra hard in the last 10minutes of the game, and on several occasions too over-zealously, resulting in a flurry of yellow cards, mostly due to frustration in the form of flying tackles. SSC decided to solidify the defense and played with 5 in the back-line, and the tactic worked really well, as the opponents could not find a way through, let alone get a shot on target. A well earned and in my opinion a well deserved victory! Kudos to Teban Thunder for a well played game.
Special thanks to all the players and supporters who came down for the match. I was indeed pleased to see that the team did not focus on the fact that the opponents were on a winning streak, and let that distract them from playing the game, but instead, we took the game to them and proved that we have what it takes to win games even against the stronger of opponents. I hope that whichever team we may come across, be it strong or weaker teams, that we will continue to play SSC style of football and take the game to any opponent. Credit to Simon who took over tactics duty this week and helped the team to focus on our playing instead of distractions like referees and losing streaks. I know overall it is still a team effort, and I know many players and even fathers :) have contributed to help the team grow and play better. So to all the players and supporters and parents, THANK YOU for your support and guidance thus far, and we look forward to the future, that we may truly grow and become a team that supports excellence and also an outlet for people to learn and have fun.
The day's first 11 and team list:
1.Jeremy Chua
2.Andrew Kwa
3.Jason Wong
4.Chao
5.Benjamin Fong
6.Hilmann
7.Ian Tan
8.Kang Yang
9.Dinesh
10.Shawn Kong
11.Jiahao Ling
12.Marvin
13.Jared Wu Jiancong
14.Ken Phua
15.Sean Tan
16.Eduard Lee
17.Sam Cho
There was however, 1 downside to the match I forgot to mention, we got a yellow card during the match, and it becomes the 5th of the league, therefore we have been deducted 1 extra point (5 yellow cards = 1 demerit point, 1 red = 1 demerit point). BUT we still have ONE POINT after minus-ing the 2 demerit points (we had a red card in the first match)!!! And we're currently 10th out of 13th, meaning we're out of the bottom!! Huzzah!!
Next match is on 17th May 2009, at Temasek Secondary (the place we played our first match) @ 5pm. Cyaaaaa then!!
Cheers mates!!
~chao(",)
