Soccer Fellowship 'Match' Report [13th September]

After last week’s outing at the MWS Tournament, many Pandas and Panthers opted to give their aching and peeling bodies a well deserved rest and missed out on Soccer Fellowship. A number still managed to turn up namely Kevin, Justin, Jingzhong, Daniel, Michael, Rusydi, Kee Min, Choon Heng, Marcus and Joel. Still, the bunch that turned up was simply expecting a friendly kickabout and not what was to follow. The opposing team was formed from a mix of “above 39 year olds” from PMC, CMC and friends who needed a warm-up game before the start of their Caleb Cup campaign next week.

Before the start of the match, Justin led everyone in a time of devotion, reflecting on the 'almost cut-short' professional soccer career of Kaka, when he injured his spine while jumping into a swimming pool. Using Kaka as an example of how God was able to heal him and how he overcame his affliction by turning to God, Justin encouraged everyone, both Christian and non-Christian to turn to God when they are down and out, as He is able to pull us through all circumstances.

After devotion and with hardly any warming up, the 'friendly match' kicked off. The PMC team got off to a slow and weary start, clearly evident that they were still recovering from the 8 to 10 matches played last Saturday. It also didn’t help that the team had to adjust from a no offside rule in MWS to a highly stringent offside play by the Caleb Cup team. The first 15 minutes saw some end to end plays with a number of offside calls against the PMC team. PMC keeper Michael also took a knock on his nose when Samuel Eyo (representing the Caleb Cuppers) challenged him for a loose ball.

While the more inexperienced PMC defense tried to adjust quickly to playing the offside trap, the Caleb Cup team put in 2 quick goals in succession albeit in somewhat dubious offside circumstances, the first from the boot of ex-Singapore International Au Yeong Pak Kuan. The mood on the field began to get more heated as well with a number of physical challenges from the seniors of the Caleb Cup team, something our young players were not used to and more debatable offside calls. Half time came in at the right moment for the teams to re-group and calm down, with the Caleb Cuppers leading 2-0.

The second half saw PMC pick up their game and adapting much better to their opponent’s offside trap. On one of the occasion, a pass from midfield put Justin clear through with the keeper only for the ball to be pushed wide - there was no doubt from here on that it was not going to be Justin’s day with one or two other half chances failing to hit the back of the net. The Caleb Cup team continued to threaten as well from their main attacker, Au Yeong Pak Kuan, who somehow managed to steal yet another goal from a goal mouth scuffle right under Michael to take the score line to 3-0. It was not long after that PMC scored with Jingzhong battling for the ball with the Caleb Cup keeper, our own Jimmy, before popping it into the open goal.

The PMC team continued to pressure the slowly tiring older team and a good counter attack move down the right flank saw a perfect cross in for Kevin to chest down before displacing it into the goal from 3 yards out. With the score line narrowing and momentum shifting towards the PMC team, Au Yeong Pak Kuan decided to claim his hat-trick with a glimpse of his past glory by swinging in a curling lob from 30 yards out into the back of the net, after beating Choon Heng for the ball. More heated arguments also erupted over offside calls, fouls and physical challenges. With no referee present, it was really up to self and mutual respect to keep the match going. Before the end, Jingzhong managed to grab a last minute goal by pouncing onto a through ball tapping it past the advancing keeper to wrap up the game. Final score:

Caleb Cuppers 4

PMC 'Soccer Fellowship' 3
(Jingzhong (2) & Kevin)

Kevin closed the session in prayer and provided an apt reminder that our Soccer Community is foremost about enjoying the game and character development, thanking the visitors for providing a “good” opportunity to the team in practicing the latter.