.JPG)
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Scorers (assists)
Akim (-)
Akim (pen)
Man Of The Match
Akim (14) - in a game of mistakes, his 2 goals were the bright spark for the team. a box-to-box player today.
Azhari (1) - like Xabi Alonso, distributed play well
Mubarak (1)
Rahman (1) - spurned three glorious chances including a solo effort, otherwise we would have talked about a different result. nevertheless, did well as a makeshift striker after Farhan's dismissal.
Red card:
Farhan (1st half)
Yellow card:
Rahman (1st half)
Wilson (GK)
Mubarak - Azmi - Calvin - Fazli
Kelvin - Akim - Rahman - Joharie
Helmi
Farhan
Subs:
Andrew
Omar
Shafi
Azman
Azhari
Rafeeq
Our team in D2D league
Rest of league results
KFC played its historic 100th game on the grassy pitch of Bedok North Sec hoping to bounce back from the disappointing defeat last week.
It has been quite a ride for the team that played its first match on 5 January 2008 with only 9 players including Kelvin, Rahman, Yazier, Shahid, Firul and myself. We used two of the opponents' players to fill up the void. Despite the inevitable loss against opponents that featured Azman, Azmi and Syaifudean, we built the team and carried on our travails mainly on the bumpy, desert pitch in front of Blk 367 Yishun, which were mostly refereed by the affable Tay and Malik, who was the voice for the "offside" call.
Our 1st win came in the 5th match on the Bowen Sec artificial pitch before we went on a run of eight winless games. Cut a long story short, after 49 friendly matches, and bolstered by a core group of exciting, handsome and skilful players, we finally made our presence felt in the social football scene. In April 2009, we entered the D2D league, played our 1st game and won it in our 50th game. Since then, we have completed two seasons with the league and just started our third. As a player with the team from day one, and missing only two games, no one can take more immense pride in the team than myself. I did not even flicker twice with sponsoring the team its two present sets of jerseys, one shirt of which is still missing by the way! I am excited, almost desperate, to see us finally get some silverware.
We looked to get back on track to the fine start we made to the season. In our way was Osiris FC, the last of the promoted teams that we are playing against this season. The game told of the chances we did not convert, and we fell to a second successive narrow defeat. An highly entertaining match ended with one red card and one penalty for each team and a total of 5 goals.
We got off to a bright start when I unleashed a speculative left-footed volley that crashed against the crossbar. At the other end, Wilson had a safe pair of hands in goal and handled an opponent shot very well. We seemed to have settled down until the referee made the first major decision of the match.
Rahman, who had imposed a physical aspect to the team and was already on the referee's radar perhaps, was extremely unlucky to concede a soft penalty following an opponent counter-attack from the left flank. The referee fell for the ploy of the opponent, who, like his team-mates later throughout the match, fell like he was hit by a car. The opponent converted the penalty despite Wilson coming close to making a save.
The early goal caused some consternation on our part, and yet again, it seems we did not have one of the better referees. His performance aside, I aimed to get us going and was more than ecstatic to score the equalizer. I pounced on the ball in midfield and surged forward. When I ran of out of options on the edge of the penalty box, I drilled a low shot that crept through the legs of the GK. There is an adage in the football world; if you do not shoot, you do not score. I certainly applied it then.
We looked pumped up and primed to seize the initiative as I squandered a freekick from a promising area. Kelvin and especially Mubarak, played well on the right flank. Yet, our defence, featuring the return of Calvin, still looked shaky as the direct running of the opponents caused some problems. Wilson can be credited for more safe handling, which compensated for the team's awkward moments.
There was then a twist. Farhan, making his first league start, spearheaded the attack and looked sharp early on. The mutual understanding with Helmi, our support striker, was clear to see. I was looking for Farhan, a natural winger, to fill the problematic striker role, which Imran had occupied superbly for the start of our season, and Syaifudean, a spectator today, before that. Unfortunately, our team's highest goalscorer in its history, will see red in this monumental 100th match.
Incidentally, this was our first ever dismissal social competitive football, either in the league or cup competitions. That says a lot for the team's fair play.
An off-the-ball incident between the opponent defender and our striker caught the referee's attention. There was no real violent conduct from both players, and when the referee ejected both off the game, I could only wish common sense had prevailed. I was also disappointed that despite my pre-match instructions for the team to keep a cool head under hot weather, Farhan lost it. However, the bigger disappointment was that he could not flashed his brand new boots more, or even thundered a couple of goals into the net for good measure. To put it seriously, I wanted him to play a bigger part and I told him so before the game.
That necessitated a change for both teams as Helmi took over Farhan's place momentarily till Rafeeq came on for Kelvin. Omar replaced Joharie too. The opponents were building momentum as we struggled to find a shape. Azman and Azhari came on for Rahman and myself, while Shafi, a converted winger this season, replaced Fazli at left-back. Moments later, the opponents regained their lead from one of their dangerous corners. An improvised set-piece arrived at our near post, and the opponent stole in to tap in from close range. We should have avoided the soft goal but were punished for the defensive lapse just then.
We had, perhaps, the best spell of the match after that, which carried on after half-time. The opponents kept up the pressure but Wilson continued his good work. Andrew took over Azmi's place in the heart of defence as we sought to shut down their direct runs. Azman and Azhari played well in midfield and Azman released Rafeeq on the right flank. Running out of ground, Rafeeq succeeded in sending a cross but no one could get to it. Rahman then came on for Helmi and immediately was tasked to lead the attack. A good build-up on our left flank finally got Omar crossing into the box. Rafeeq missed at the first attempt but an unmarked Rahman lurked behind. While he should have taken on the shot first time with a goal a certainty, he opted to control it instead and the opponent was able to intercept. He tried to make amends with a solo effort but his weak shot was easily dealt with. He would later earn a yellow card as the score remained 1-2 at half-time.
Our team carried on the fine spell after the break but found it tougher now to break down a side intent on protecting their lead, and relying on the counter-attack. These attacks had some damaging effect but Wilson, Calvin and Andrew, and Azmi later, marshalled and tidied up effectively, if not convincingly. The game opened up as Mubarak and Shafi made full use of their flanks to support the attack. Our full-backs played their hearts on their sleeves and linked up extremely well, Shafi combining with Omar while Mubarak almost had a personal vendetta going forward.
Azman covered superbly for Shafi as did Azhari for Mubarak, but our midfielders stuck to their main task too; linking up plays between defence and attack. A determined Azhari won a ball in midfield and launched a long-range shot while Helmi was later unfortunate to be called for offside in a close call. Omar and Helmi were buzzing incessantly and probing for openings as Rahman continued to bludgeon their defence into submission.
Eventually, tired legs gave way and I was involved in the build-up that led to another glorious chance for Rahman. Azmi had again tidied up in defence and I took over deep in our half. I released a ball forward for Helmi, who retained possession wonderfully and dribbled his way into the opponents' penalty box onto the left. He then pulled back a pass for an unmarked Rahman in the 6-yard area. Rahman learned his lesson for his earlier miss, and this time, he took it on first time to try and score the equalizer, which would have definitely turned the tide in our favour. Amazingly, the team could only looked on as the ball sailed over the bar instead. To be fair, our makeshift striker displayed good positioning to get into those gilt-edged goalscoring chances.
We would rue that miss as we conceded another soft goal and the opponents extended their lead to 1-3. There looked to have been no harm when Kelvin opted to play a backpass to Wilson deep in our half. I have no problem with that except that handling backpasses is not exactly one of our custodian's strengths. Wilson could only cleared the backpass straight to an opponent inside the penalty box, who rightly sent his shot across the face of goal into the net.
The virtual winner, scored late in the game, deflated the team's spirits but we still scored a goal from the penalty spot after an opponent handled the ball while on the ground. The final whistle blew shortly after.
Despite being narrowly edged out again, the passion and determination to set things right was clearly etched on the faces of our players long after the game ended. I was delighted with each and everyone's efforts. We were in it for much of the game, and while we had again conceded soft goals, including a questionable penalty, we could only blame ourselves for the profligacy in front of goal. We could also have capitalized on FZE's draw this past weekend to go top of the table, which would be for the first time in our history. However, we will get a second chance to do so in this week's mouthwatering clash with the league leaders. Up at 'em!
Akim
*****
It was still early last Season. We were leading one-nil to some team we eventually won and i looked on at the most bizarre of misses. The culprit was Azman, who after some good individual play found himself open with not a defender in sight on the edge of the opponent six-yard box. He somehow scuffed a weak shot straight at the keeper, and as Azman trotted back to his Central midfield alongside me, I gave him an earful.
“Just what the ...(expletive) was that Azman?”
It was one of the worst misses I can ever imagine, but I, ever the competitive one, wouldn’t give it a rest. I wanted to be the best at everything I do, and I wont let Azman take the cake. I made a resolution. Some day I am going to do just like him and better still, make it a hat-trick.
The proud day came last Sunday. Three good chances. Three goal-scoring opportunities. Three beautifully not-taken chances. Who cares about the World Cup. It means nothing to me. I re-wrote Kambing FC history that day and thats a shit-load more important than any other World Cup Final, which most definitely will be the talk of the team. Even after the match’s end, I hear my name spoken everywhere. An instant celebrity. I was the man of the moment.
The icing on the cake was a conceded penalty in my name.
How we lost the game on Sunday was beyond my comprehension. It must have been due to the mystical forces of a cosmic alignment somewhere in SPACE-land that got us stuck in the Jaws of Defeat. Or maybe it was the bloody Sotong. Paul just didnt eat from the Kambing FC box, did he? I think we should get a Sotong for ourselves now. They can tell us how to play, who to play, what jersey to wear and also will predict who comes late or get red carded in a match.. haha.
So now lets talk about the misses I made.
That day everything fell just right for me, but not right enough. It all happened for me, yet it didnt. Funny right? Yeah it was. I bet even Wilson Palacios’ Grandma would have put the ball at the back of the net. The first miss came after i instinctively made a run behind their key centre back to calculative-ly receive a cross and hold the ball long enough for their left back to hoof it away. First miss of the day, and its still early on in the game. Hope theres time for two more. Chances had to be crafted. I had to make my own miss, I realised.
Just before half-time i drifted again behind the centre back, pulling away just enough for Omar to find me with an exquisite chip. I nodded the ball down and bore down on goal leaving 2 of their defenders for dead before trying to squeeze past the third one. I managed an Azman-esque shot - straight and tame at the keeper. As the ball left my boot, I realised Mus’ earlier goal (a solo effort finished with a tame shot that somehow sneaked through) had exposed the opposing keeper’s Achilles heel. He CANNOT handle TAME SHOTS. Seconds seem like minutes as the ball went freely towards goal. Will it slip through the keepers gloves? or will it not? As the ball found its way to the Keeper’s gloves safe and sound, i heaved a sigh of relief. Phew! That was close. If only that was Robert Green, all my hard work will get undone. As i celebrated my brace of misses, the referee called for half time. I was doing well. Only one more miss and that would complete what i had set out to do.
Second half resumed and me playing as striker, was primed for another miss.However, chances are by far few in a tighter second half. Osiris FC chose to sit back, but i I knew that i still have it in me. I made challenge after challenge, and for everytime i fell and failed to get a clear cut chance, I got myself up. IM GOING TO DO THIS! I AM DESTINED FOR THIS! The chance finally came from a brilliant Helmi cross. I again gave the centre back a miserable time, catching him in between two worlds, and latched on the ball like a lion to its prey.
The moment has come.
The thousands of Kambing FC fans around the world watching from their grossly overpriced Singtel MIO cableTV ‘D2D sports leagues Sunday games Package’ knew it. This is the time where champions are made, born, and cast in gold in some part of the world, forever immortalised by their achievements. This very moment, my friends, when the ball came and kissed my boot in honour of a great hero, was when the whole world stopped.
The Palestinians weren’t fighting anymore.
The Israelis do not care about the Gaza Strip anymore.
The Loch Ness Monster surfaced.
The Yeti appeared in television.
The PAP grew a heart.
Paul the Octopus ate from the ‘Arsenal box’
My future 35-100mm f2 lens just got packed and left a factory somewhere in Japan for shipment.
Zooey Deschanel had a crush on me.
All the wonderful things happened in that moment. A great hat-trick. A great hero.
This is the stuff that dreams are made of.
Where were you when that happened?
Rahman
Rest of league results
KFC played its historic 100th game on the grassy pitch of Bedok North Sec hoping to bounce back from the disappointing defeat last week.
It has been quite a ride for the team that played its first match on 5 January 2008 with only 9 players including Kelvin, Rahman, Yazier, Shahid, Firul and myself. We used two of the opponents' players to fill up the void. Despite the inevitable loss against opponents that featured Azman, Azmi and Syaifudean, we built the team and carried on our travails mainly on the bumpy, desert pitch in front of Blk 367 Yishun, which were mostly refereed by the affable Tay and Malik, who was the voice for the "offside" call.
Our 1st win came in the 5th match on the Bowen Sec artificial pitch before we went on a run of eight winless games. Cut a long story short, after 49 friendly matches, and bolstered by a core group of exciting, handsome and skilful players, we finally made our presence felt in the social football scene. In April 2009, we entered the D2D league, played our 1st game and won it in our 50th game. Since then, we have completed two seasons with the league and just started our third. As a player with the team from day one, and missing only two games, no one can take more immense pride in the team than myself. I did not even flicker twice with sponsoring the team its two present sets of jerseys, one shirt of which is still missing by the way! I am excited, almost desperate, to see us finally get some silverware.
We looked to get back on track to the fine start we made to the season. In our way was Osiris FC, the last of the promoted teams that we are playing against this season. The game told of the chances we did not convert, and we fell to a second successive narrow defeat. An highly entertaining match ended with one red card and one penalty for each team and a total of 5 goals.
We got off to a bright start when I unleashed a speculative left-footed volley that crashed against the crossbar. At the other end, Wilson had a safe pair of hands in goal and handled an opponent shot very well. We seemed to have settled down until the referee made the first major decision of the match.
Rahman, who had imposed a physical aspect to the team and was already on the referee's radar perhaps, was extremely unlucky to concede a soft penalty following an opponent counter-attack from the left flank. The referee fell for the ploy of the opponent, who, like his team-mates later throughout the match, fell like he was hit by a car. The opponent converted the penalty despite Wilson coming close to making a save.
The early goal caused some consternation on our part, and yet again, it seems we did not have one of the better referees. His performance aside, I aimed to get us going and was more than ecstatic to score the equalizer. I pounced on the ball in midfield and surged forward. When I ran of out of options on the edge of the penalty box, I drilled a low shot that crept through the legs of the GK. There is an adage in the football world; if you do not shoot, you do not score. I certainly applied it then.
We looked pumped up and primed to seize the initiative as I squandered a freekick from a promising area. Kelvin and especially Mubarak, played well on the right flank. Yet, our defence, featuring the return of Calvin, still looked shaky as the direct running of the opponents caused some problems. Wilson can be credited for more safe handling, which compensated for the team's awkward moments.
There was then a twist. Farhan, making his first league start, spearheaded the attack and looked sharp early on. The mutual understanding with Helmi, our support striker, was clear to see. I was looking for Farhan, a natural winger, to fill the problematic striker role, which Imran had occupied superbly for the start of our season, and Syaifudean, a spectator today, before that. Unfortunately, our team's highest goalscorer in its history, will see red in this monumental 100th match.
Incidentally, this was our first ever dismissal social competitive football, either in the league or cup competitions. That says a lot for the team's fair play.
An off-the-ball incident between the opponent defender and our striker caught the referee's attention. There was no real violent conduct from both players, and when the referee ejected both off the game, I could only wish common sense had prevailed. I was also disappointed that despite my pre-match instructions for the team to keep a cool head under hot weather, Farhan lost it. However, the bigger disappointment was that he could not flashed his brand new boots more, or even thundered a couple of goals into the net for good measure. To put it seriously, I wanted him to play a bigger part and I told him so before the game.
That necessitated a change for both teams as Helmi took over Farhan's place momentarily till Rafeeq came on for Kelvin. Omar replaced Joharie too. The opponents were building momentum as we struggled to find a shape. Azman and Azhari came on for Rahman and myself, while Shafi, a converted winger this season, replaced Fazli at left-back. Moments later, the opponents regained their lead from one of their dangerous corners. An improvised set-piece arrived at our near post, and the opponent stole in to tap in from close range. We should have avoided the soft goal but were punished for the defensive lapse just then.
We had, perhaps, the best spell of the match after that, which carried on after half-time. The opponents kept up the pressure but Wilson continued his good work. Andrew took over Azmi's place in the heart of defence as we sought to shut down their direct runs. Azman and Azhari played well in midfield and Azman released Rafeeq on the right flank. Running out of ground, Rafeeq succeeded in sending a cross but no one could get to it. Rahman then came on for Helmi and immediately was tasked to lead the attack. A good build-up on our left flank finally got Omar crossing into the box. Rafeeq missed at the first attempt but an unmarked Rahman lurked behind. While he should have taken on the shot first time with a goal a certainty, he opted to control it instead and the opponent was able to intercept. He tried to make amends with a solo effort but his weak shot was easily dealt with. He would later earn a yellow card as the score remained 1-2 at half-time.
Our team carried on the fine spell after the break but found it tougher now to break down a side intent on protecting their lead, and relying on the counter-attack. These attacks had some damaging effect but Wilson, Calvin and Andrew, and Azmi later, marshalled and tidied up effectively, if not convincingly. The game opened up as Mubarak and Shafi made full use of their flanks to support the attack. Our full-backs played their hearts on their sleeves and linked up extremely well, Shafi combining with Omar while Mubarak almost had a personal vendetta going forward.
Azman covered superbly for Shafi as did Azhari for Mubarak, but our midfielders stuck to their main task too; linking up plays between defence and attack. A determined Azhari won a ball in midfield and launched a long-range shot while Helmi was later unfortunate to be called for offside in a close call. Omar and Helmi were buzzing incessantly and probing for openings as Rahman continued to bludgeon their defence into submission.
Eventually, tired legs gave way and I was involved in the build-up that led to another glorious chance for Rahman. Azmi had again tidied up in defence and I took over deep in our half. I released a ball forward for Helmi, who retained possession wonderfully and dribbled his way into the opponents' penalty box onto the left. He then pulled back a pass for an unmarked Rahman in the 6-yard area. Rahman learned his lesson for his earlier miss, and this time, he took it on first time to try and score the equalizer, which would have definitely turned the tide in our favour. Amazingly, the team could only looked on as the ball sailed over the bar instead. To be fair, our makeshift striker displayed good positioning to get into those gilt-edged goalscoring chances.
We would rue that miss as we conceded another soft goal and the opponents extended their lead to 1-3. There looked to have been no harm when Kelvin opted to play a backpass to Wilson deep in our half. I have no problem with that except that handling backpasses is not exactly one of our custodian's strengths. Wilson could only cleared the backpass straight to an opponent inside the penalty box, who rightly sent his shot across the face of goal into the net.
The virtual winner, scored late in the game, deflated the team's spirits but we still scored a goal from the penalty spot after an opponent handled the ball while on the ground. The final whistle blew shortly after.
Despite being narrowly edged out again, the passion and determination to set things right was clearly etched on the faces of our players long after the game ended. I was delighted with each and everyone's efforts. We were in it for much of the game, and while we had again conceded soft goals, including a questionable penalty, we could only blame ourselves for the profligacy in front of goal. We could also have capitalized on FZE's draw this past weekend to go top of the table, which would be for the first time in our history. However, we will get a second chance to do so in this week's mouthwatering clash with the league leaders. Up at 'em!
Akim
It was still early last Season. We were leading one-nil to some team we eventually won and i looked on at the most bizarre of misses. The culprit was Azman, who after some good individual play found himself open with not a defender in sight on the edge of the opponent six-yard box. He somehow scuffed a weak shot straight at the keeper, and as Azman trotted back to his Central midfield alongside me, I gave him an earful.
“Just what the ...(expletive) was that Azman?”
It was one of the worst misses I can ever imagine, but I, ever the competitive one, wouldn’t give it a rest. I wanted to be the best at everything I do, and I wont let Azman take the cake. I made a resolution. Some day I am going to do just like him and better still, make it a hat-trick.
The proud day came last Sunday. Three good chances. Three goal-scoring opportunities. Three beautifully not-taken chances. Who cares about the World Cup. It means nothing to me. I re-wrote Kambing FC history that day and thats a shit-load more important than any other World Cup Final, which most definitely will be the talk of the team. Even after the match’s end, I hear my name spoken everywhere. An instant celebrity. I was the man of the moment.
The icing on the cake was a conceded penalty in my name.
How we lost the game on Sunday was beyond my comprehension. It must have been due to the mystical forces of a cosmic alignment somewhere in SPACE-land that got us stuck in the Jaws of Defeat. Or maybe it was the bloody Sotong. Paul just didnt eat from the Kambing FC box, did he? I think we should get a Sotong for ourselves now. They can tell us how to play, who to play, what jersey to wear and also will predict who comes late or get red carded in a match.. haha.
So now lets talk about the misses I made.
That day everything fell just right for me, but not right enough. It all happened for me, yet it didnt. Funny right? Yeah it was. I bet even Wilson Palacios’ Grandma would have put the ball at the back of the net. The first miss came after i instinctively made a run behind their key centre back to calculative-ly receive a cross and hold the ball long enough for their left back to hoof it away. First miss of the day, and its still early on in the game. Hope theres time for two more. Chances had to be crafted. I had to make my own miss, I realised.
Just before half-time i drifted again behind the centre back, pulling away just enough for Omar to find me with an exquisite chip. I nodded the ball down and bore down on goal leaving 2 of their defenders for dead before trying to squeeze past the third one. I managed an Azman-esque shot - straight and tame at the keeper. As the ball left my boot, I realised Mus’ earlier goal (a solo effort finished with a tame shot that somehow sneaked through) had exposed the opposing keeper’s Achilles heel. He CANNOT handle TAME SHOTS. Seconds seem like minutes as the ball went freely towards goal. Will it slip through the keepers gloves? or will it not? As the ball found its way to the Keeper’s gloves safe and sound, i heaved a sigh of relief. Phew! That was close. If only that was Robert Green, all my hard work will get undone. As i celebrated my brace of misses, the referee called for half time. I was doing well. Only one more miss and that would complete what i had set out to do.
Second half resumed and me playing as striker, was primed for another miss.However, chances are by far few in a tighter second half. Osiris FC chose to sit back, but i I knew that i still have it in me. I made challenge after challenge, and for everytime i fell and failed to get a clear cut chance, I got myself up. IM GOING TO DO THIS! I AM DESTINED FOR THIS! The chance finally came from a brilliant Helmi cross. I again gave the centre back a miserable time, catching him in between two worlds, and latched on the ball like a lion to its prey.
The moment has come.
The thousands of Kambing FC fans around the world watching from their grossly overpriced Singtel MIO cableTV ‘D2D sports leagues Sunday games Package’ knew it. This is the time where champions are made, born, and cast in gold in some part of the world, forever immortalised by their achievements. This very moment, my friends, when the ball came and kissed my boot in honour of a great hero, was when the whole world stopped.
The Palestinians weren’t fighting anymore.
The Israelis do not care about the Gaza Strip anymore.
The Loch Ness Monster surfaced.
The Yeti appeared in television.
The PAP grew a heart.
Paul the Octopus ate from the ‘Arsenal box’
My future 35-100mm f2 lens just got packed and left a factory somewhere in Japan for shipment.
Zooey Deschanel had a crush on me.
All the wonderful things happened in that moment. A great hat-trick. A great hero.
This is the stuff that dreams are made of.
Where were you when that happened?
Rahman