Soccer Training Report [19th July]

It was a typically hot Saturday afternoon when the Pentecost Panthers and Pandas gathered for their scheduled training session. There was a nice turnout of 24 players from both teams, which included regulars from the Soccer Community, ensuring we were in for a great time at training. Uncle Ronnie took us through two passing drills which inculcated the habit of receiving and passing the ball while on the run. However, we were midway through our third drill (a boxed running exercise) when heavy rain lashed down upon us. After the scramble to hide our belongings from the rain, we proceeded to play two sides, Panthers versus Pandas.

The game began with both teams trying to settle in. The early moments were spent passing the ball around and struggling to keep possession. The Panthers looked to utilize their pace on the flanks by playing diagonal balls and through-passes on the ground to find their forwards. The Pandas tried lofting balls over the panthers’ backline, hoping to catch the defence off-guard or off-the-pace. Both tactics failed mainly due to the rainy conditions. Balls skidded or stuck in puddles and the emphasis on first touch became very important. Players from both sides had to struggle with that.

The first breakthrough came when guest-GK Joel, who had been excellent in repelling the Panther attacks, botched his kick. It fell at the feet of Daniel Low who put the ball into an empty net from outside the box. This seemed to stir the Pandas and they began attacks in earnest, with Derrick and Kee Min probing from midfield. However, it was the panthers who struck the next blow from a headed clearance off a corner that fell to JZ. He showed admirable composure to sidefoot a volley through the crowded penalty area into the far right of the goal. Joel had no chance.

The Pandas tried to seize control and get back into the match. Derrick put a free kick just wide from 25 metres out. Panda attacks were mounted on the Panther backline but no goal came despite some good moves. However, at almost the last kick of the game, a cross from Ronnie on the left found Derrick at the far post, who rose to put the ball into the net.

Panthers 2

[Daniel & Jingzhong]

Pandas 1
[Derrick]

*As a footnote, the next day, a group of about 7 of us went to Casuarina Primary School at about 5pm for a friendly kickabout with people from the neighbourhood. In total, there were about 15 of us using the field. If you are interested for Sunday afternoon kickabouts in addition to Soccer Fellowship on Saturdays, do leave a note through a comment on this post and we'll keep you informed of any kickabouts on Sundays. Thanks!

Reported by Sheldon Liew