Soccer Fellowship Report [12th July]

Last Saturday marked the first showdown between 2 ancient warrior groups, the PANDAS & the PANTHERS. True to character, several of the Pandas did not show up for this duel (presumably busy looking for bamboos to chew on, cooking noodles or simply lazing the afternoon away). The Panthers had great strength in numbers, and graciously loaned out some of their own kind. Before the match, Panda Kevin shared about perseverance and how we sometimes need to persevere to achieve positive results in the things that we do.

The sparring kicked off with the Pandas in white, and the Panthers in blue, under the scorching Saturday afternoon sun. Both sides played a fast and aggressive attacking game, particularly down the flanks. However, as the sparring session was both teams' first time playing together, it was clear that much had to be learned. While some attacks by both teams were promising, they mostly broke down due to their respective inabilities to:

1) Keep possession in their attacking third of the pitch
2) Release the ball at the right time
3) Make good first touches when in opposition territory

As the first half of the duel wore on, lethargic legs began to kick in and the deadlock looked likely to be carried to the break. Then from a short corner, Panda Tim was allowed time and space to maraud into the Panther penalty box before slotting past Papa Panther, Maurice. The goal seemed to give the Pandas a 2nd wind just before halftime, and a long through ball by acting Panda Bangshi was once again finished off by Panda Tim in a one-on-one situation with Papa Panther.

Halftime score: Pandas 2 - Panthers 0

The second part of the epic fight kicked off with several pugilistic changes on both warrior teams, as well as certain positional alterations. Panda Joel got a run up front and immediately showed his worth with and excellently taken chance on the run, after good work down the flank by an unknown Panda (possibly Panda Choon Heng, who was using his speed and strength to great effect, even from the right-back position). The Panthers fought back even harder and had a few chances through long balls that either went begging or were snuffed out be Papa Panda Kevin who was now in goal. Finally, the Panthers were rewarded for their effort when a stalking Panther managed to trick Panda Mark, who was now in goal and score the Panther's first goal. The Panthers pulled further closer with a penalty for an unfair challenge by Panda Jeremy Tan (not Joel's brother). Panda Choon Heng, of course, felt that it was a soft give-away and proceeded to demonstrate a tumle of his own for laughs. The penalty kick was duly dispatched into the bottom corner beyond Panda Mark by one of the young and upcoming Panther warriors, Andrew. It was brilliantly taken!

The Pandas then immediately restored the 3 goal lead with an amazing piece of dribbling skill and determination by Panda Choon Heng. Taking the ball in midfield, he dribbled past one defender after the another and even Panther Mike in goal to slot the ball into an empty net. His wild Panda celebrations showed his joy!

But a lapse in concentration during a Panther corner (as well as horrible marking by this journalistic Panda), saw the Pandas lead cut down to just 2 goals again. Whilst the marking was atrocious, take no credit away from Panther David who thumped the corner into the Panda net with an awesome first time volley! Pandas 4 - Panthers 2.

The Panthers could have still come back into the game, but immediately from kick-off, Panda Kevin dribbled down the middle, played Panda Choon Heng into space on the right, who brilliantly took the ball, crossed it first time for Panda Joel to poke the ball past the keeper from an acute angle.

Final score: Pandas 5 - Panthers 3

Some words of wisdom from Masters Wugui and Shifu...

"Both teams need to learn to keep possession of the ball better. Without the ball, we're ALWAYS chasing the opponents' game."

"The first touch is THE most important touch."

"One does not always have to pass the ball FORWARD. There is no shame in passing the ball back to a supporting team mate when one has little other options."

Till the next sparring episode of this epic showdown...train hard young warriors...

Reported by Timothy