Report On 28 April 2008

We had 12 last night at Bukit Timah. Another old timer we hadn’t seen for a while – Heath – made a surprise but welcome return. Damian, who used to play with Collin and Ian at RJC/Mount Sinai even before I started in 1995/96 also joined us for the first time.

We tried an overly bouncy ball bought by Ian (ok Ian, I’ll try to “season” it for next week), before switching back to the somewhat leaden white ball we used last week – the one Dennis left behind, and which is slowly dying. (The other new futsal I bought is better on the artificial surface at East Coast or The Cage.) Sze Kuan’s football, which had used in the previous weeks at Bukit Timah, was also dead.

Once all the stragglers were in (we started later at 9 pm, and we still had stragglers!), we lined up on Court 2 as follows – Sze Kuan, Gilbert, Yu Teik, Bret, Andrew P and Damian (Reds) v Ian, Collin, Amit, Boon Yick, Heath and me (Non-Reds).

Whether it was the lateness of the start, that we didn’t play on Court 1 first, or that we only had an hour, the game was somewhat disjointed and remarkably low scoring. For quite a while, the score was 1-0 (to Non-Reds) and then 2-2. Despite Reds catching Non-Reds on the break on several occasions, the score remained 2-2, with Boon Yick doing well with some good saves and sweeping up at the back. Finally, Teik, Andrew and Sze Kuan found their scoring touch, and Reds pulled ahead 4-2, and then 6-4. Teik asked for specific mention of his hat-trick.

Non-Reds were starting to get their passing together, and with chances being teed up for Collin, he began to put them away, first to pull back to 4-4, and then to 6-6. Ian asked to be named for 3 assists. (It’s only Raj, Tom, Ian and Teik who specifically ask to be mentioned in these reports, but hey, anyone can write a report. Either submit it as a comment, or, if you have a WordPress membership, submit it as a new post.)

Back to last night – As Non-Reds pressed, Damian, feeling under fire in goal, switched out of goal. However, with the scores tied at 6-6, and the game down to “last goal wins”, Ian put the ball over the cross-bar from close range (and over the fence as well), bringing the game to an end shortly before the lights went out. More or less a fair result overall.

Schedule For The Week Commencing 28 April 2008

The next session is on Monday, 28 April 2008 at Bukit Timah campus. Unfortunately, the 8 to 9 slot is not available for the next two weeks. Even Court 1 has been taken, so we only have the 9 to 10 pm slot on Court 2. Confirmations by the end of tomorrow please. We will limit numbers to the first 14 to confirm.

As next Thursday (1 May 2008 ) is a public holiday, I am proposing that the mid-week session be on that day, at The Cage at 9 AM. Responses by tomorrow please, latest by Tuesday lunchtime. Again, we will limit numbers to the first 12 to confirm.

Thanks.

Report On 23 April 2008

We had 11 at The Cage last night – Llion, Dedy, Sze Kuan, Simon and Geoff (Lights/Whites) v Ben Y, Justin, Bret, Steve, Gilbert and me (Blacks/Darks, 5 + 1 rolling sub – well, John S didn’t turn up, and Bret, Gilbert and I had played on Monday). John, what happened?

As we are limiting numbers for each session going forward, let me know as early as possible if you cannot make it, so that I can try to find a replacement, otherwise, we will end up with uneven numbers.

Apart from Simon, Geoff and Gilbert, everyone followed the colours as set out in my posts/e-mails of Monday and Tuesday – better than on Monday (but now we have bibs for Monday!).

The game was the usual mix of end to end stuff, great goals, fine saves, slack defending, woeful finishing and fatigue towards the end. For the record, the game finished 21-18 to Darks/Blacks. Anyone who played yesterday, feel free to elaborate under the Comments immediately below.

11-a-side ECA proposed for 10 May 2008

The last time an 11-a-side game was proposed, we had a very good response, but it did not go on as we could not get a suitable pitch at short notice.

In view of the earlier interest, I am trying to arrange another 11-a-side game on Saturday, 10 May 2008, with James, the captain of one of Kevin’s 11-a-side teams. We are trying to arrange the game at Tampines SAFRA at 9 am, but if the 9 am slot is not available, then 11 am or later in the day.

It will work out to about S$12 per person (depending on the number of confirmations I get – between 11 to 16 would be good).

Dennis will be back that weekend, and is keen for a game, while Andrew P, who is due to be leaving for Melbourne, may still be around (I will need to check with him).

Anyway, I need responses by the end of tomorrow, in order to confirm the numbers before we proceed to book the pitch. Please get back to me ASAP.

Thanks.

Report On 21 April 2008

We started with 10 and finished with 13 yesterday. We welcomed back Kin, and a regular from the very early years, Ian. In fact, we had enough old boys to start (at Tom’s suggestion) with “old boys” (Tom, Raj, Kin, Ian and me v “new boys” (Reza, Gilbert, Amit, Bret and Tim C).

We started with small goalposts on Court No. 1 (by pushing the netball posts closer) and no goalkeepers. In a traditional FAFI-esque manner, Tom insisted on no balls above head height, and only scoring from within the one third line. But not everyday is Tom’s birthday.

Tom and Raj brought a birthday surprise, 6 red bibs to be used by one side (which was useful, since very few followed the colours I set out in my e-mail yesterday).

Mark, fearing rain (until it actually starts raining, the game is ON), came later, and replaced Ian when the sole came off his shoe. “New boys” took a 3-0 and then a 6-3 lead, before “old boys” pulled back to 6-6, with some FAFI-esque decisions from Tom. As part of his birthday celebrations, at one stage, Tom effected a sliding tackle on Reza which would have been brilliant on a football field, but a bit risky on a hard court.

We then switched to Court No. 2. Ian, using a pair of shoes borrowed from Kin, resumed play. We started with Tom, Raj, Kin, Ian, Gilbert and Mark (in various colours) v Reza, Amit, Bret, Tim, me and Chris (a youngster who was playing with the lot before us on Court No. 2) (in red). There was a big puddle in front of Reds’ goal, which affected Reds’ keepers (first me, then Amit and Reza). With Reza still suffering the after-effects of the earlier knock, and Reds standing off the ball, Various took a 6-0 lead, with Tom’s new rules finally being abandoned. Kin’s shoes (aka Ian), marked his return with a few well taken goals, just as in the old days.

I finally had to come out of goal and do some shouting a la Dennis. With a bit more drive and purpose, Reds pulled back to 10-6, scoring some good goals in the process.

Tom, continuing his form of last week, squandered numerous chances, including a couple of open goals. When it was brought to everyone’s attention that it was Tom’s birthday, he finally scored 3, as Reds stood off him a bit as his birthday present. A player who combined the talents of Tom (who can defend and bring the ball out of defence, but can’t score, even if standing right under the post) and Raj (who can score from anywhere, but does little else) could be world class – but fitness would be another issue.

Nicolas, who had been held up at work (since when is work an excuse?), joined us at about 9.30 pm, and replaced Chris (who later replaced Reza). Reds continued to play with purpose, and pulled back to 17-14. Nicolas, who wanted to play some more, insisted on continuing up to 20 goals. Reza came back in for Kin (so he didn’t have to face Tom again), and as Reds tired, conceded some sloppy goals to finally lose 14-20.

To mark his return, Ian managed to lose the sole of one of Kin’s shoes as well.

As a further birthday surprise, the prata and tea promised by Tom failed to materialise, but it was 10.15 pm by the time we finished.

The bibs have been left with me for washing and to be used next Monday. I’m afraid these things don’t come for free. From next week onwards, there will be an additional S$1 “service charge” on Mondays. As Tom and Raj purchased the bibs, their contribution yesterday and for the next 4 weeks is waived (whether they turn up or not – I understand they can’t make it next week, as they have a concert to attend).

21 & 23 April 2008

Continuing from here, next week’s schedule is as follows:

Monday, 21 April 2008, 8 to 10 pm at Bukit Timah campus. Confirmations by the end of tomorrow please. I am hoping to cap numbers at 14, but we may well exceed that number.

Wednesday, 23 April 2008, 9 to 10 pm at The Cage (in Kallang, http://new.thecage.com.sg/home/where-the-heck-is-the-cage). Confirmations by Tuesday afternoon please. We need between 10 to 12 to confirm for the game to go on.

Confirmation by submitting a response/comment below (http://fiofafi.wordpress.com/2008/04/17/21-23-april-2008/#respond) is preferred.

In order to reduce the risk of one-sided games, I will randomize the team selections by pre-arranging teams based on the order in which I receive confirmations (alternating). Let’s see if that works.

By the way, Teik took some photos on Monday, and these are posted on the FAFI group page on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=10384763978). You have to be a member of Facebook to view them though.

Thanks.

Report On 14 April 2008

We were 14 yesterday – Gilbert, Swee Hoe, Tom, Nicolas, Bret, Yu Teik & Raj (blacks/dark blues) v Sze Kuan, Mark, Amit, Tim C, Boon Yick, Lenz and me (whites/colours).

The game finished 20-7 to blacks/dark blues. My apologies to whites/colours for the unevenness of the sides (with most of the more long term regulars with blacks/dark blues), but then, apart from Mark (in green and white) and me (in orange), you all chose to turn up in white!

The play itself was fairly even – at least half of the goals scored by blacks/dark blues were scored by whites/colours giving the ball away when in possession in goal or defence. Further, whites/colours probably squandered more chances than blacks/dark blues.

20-7 would not have been an unrespectable scoreline in rugby – unfortunately, we were playing footall – although some of the finishing was rugby-esque. No Raj, not a cricket scoreline. How much do you know about cricket?

We started on Court 1. While Raj took Teik home to find him a pair of Villa shorts, Mark played with black/dark blues, and they took a 5-1 lead. With Raj and Teik returning and Mark switching to whites/colours, black/dark blues extended the lead to 9-1, most of their goals coming from sloppy balls out of goal/defence. With a bit of re-organisation, whites/colours pulled back to 10-5, Mark and Amit adding steel to the defence, Lens showing nice touches in the forward third, and whites/colours scoring some good goals.

We then switched to Court 2, and instead of building on the progress made, whites/colours slipped back into bad habits, losing their shape, giving the ball away and squandering chances, and let blacks/dark blues run away with it, especially towards the end, as Mark and Lens tired.

I suppose it’s a useful lesson – football is more about getting past the opposing player or charging forward – it’s also about not giving the ball away, a good first touch, finding the right pass quickly and at pace, communicating and finishing off chances. I kept Tim in defence because although he’s got the skill to get past opposing players, he needs to look up more, find the right pass, and call for the ball, things he is more exposed to in a defensive position than up front. After all, working on our weaknesses is more important than the scoreline. Amit also showed that he is as good in defence as he is surging forward, while Sze Kuan had his usual quota of good saves.

Raj asked for his customary mention – he scored a spectacular goal on the turn early on while blacks/dark blues were building up to their 9-1 lead, and scored a couple more, but apart from that, did little else (as usual?!). Black/dark blues all played to their strengths, so there’s nothing much else to say, is there.

Whites/colours were giving goals away, so everyone on black/dark blue should have scored, and everyone did, except (as was pointed out at the end of yesterday’s game) Tom. Talk about rugby-esque finishing ….

I’ll come up with a better way of dividing ourselves into 2 teams – until then, be prepared for more rugby scorelines – put it down to learning.

Thanks.

14 & 17 April 2008

As we only have 6, today’s session is OFF.

Next session is Monday, 14 April 2008, from 8 to 10 pm at Bukit Timah campus. Responses by tomorrow please, by e-mail or by submitting a comment / reply below (http://fiofafi.wordpress.com/2008/04/10/14-17-april-2008/#respond). Only those who are confirming their attendance need reply.

I will try again for a mid-week game at Sports Planet (formerly referred to as Futsal @ East Coast) next Thursday (17 April 2008 ) from 9 to 10 pm. Confirmations by next Wednesday please, but the sooner the better.

To repeat, there’s no 11-a-side game this Saturday (12 April 2008 ).

Thanks.

Report On 7 April 2008

We had 14 + 1 yesterday at Bukit Timah campus.

We started on Court 1 with Gilbert, Andrew, Collin, Raj, Teik & me (dark/colours) v Sze Kuan, Amit, Nicolas, Boon Yick and Tim C (whites), with Bret joining in after about 5 minutes (dark/colours) and Clement joining in (whites) after about 15 minutes. Bret opened the scoring with his first touch. Raj scored a couple, but with his bad back, lack of fitness and with the Tanglin Club elections at the back of his mind, did little else. Despite not having played for several weeks, Teik was closer to his usual self, full of running.

After an hour, with the score at 11-7 (I counted 6, but so as not to get into any arguments about it, I’ll give it as 7) to dark/colours, we moved to Court 2.

Dark/colours had the better passing game, and while whites charged forward strongly whenever they could, with Gilbert commanding at the back, their attacks floundered. Sze Kuan and Bret also provided a safe pair of hands (and feet!) in both goals, and with several chances squandered at both ends, the score was only 4-2 to dark/colours after half an hour (starting again from 0-0 at Clement’s request).

Our celebrity, Tom, made his appearance at 9.30 pm, rushing over from his “red carpet” event at the Singapore International Film Festival (http://fiofafi.wordpress.com/2008/04/07/football-this-week/#comments), and joined whites.

His slack defending allowed Raj in to score one, and to miss another. Despite being a man short, dark/colours kept there noses in front at 7-6. Boon Yick and then Andrew left early, and with fatigue finally setting in, dark/colours fell away to lose 7-8.

Football this week

Today’s game is on at Bukit Timah campus, 8 to 10 pm (first hour in Court 1, second hour in Court 2).

Confirmed: Sze Kuan, Gilbert, Andrew, Collin, Amit, Nicolas, Brett, Raj, Boon Yick, Tim C, Ber Luen, Yu Teik and me (13).

For those who prefer somewhere in the East, we have Thursday from 9 to 10 pm at Sports Planet (formerly referred to as Futsal @ East Coast). So far, we have Brett, Llion, Justin and me (4). Everyone else, please get back to me by Wednesday. If we don’t get at least 10, it’s off.

You can respond by e-mail to me or posting a comment/reply here (http://fiofafi.wordpress.com/2008/04/07/football-this-week/#respond), immediately below.

I’m waiting for Kevin to confirm if Saturday’s 11-a-side game is on. I’ll get back to you on that.

Thanks.