Soccer Fellowship Report [06 Jun]

On a hot scorching saturday afternoon at an almost barren desert pitch, the wounded Pandas were preparing to spar once again with their derby rivals, a rejuvenated Panthers team. Probably due to the holiday season and the crazy weather, the Panthers arrived with alot of key absentees. Fortunately it was also the transfer season and they were able to loan afew Pandas and reserve players over, while the Pandas maintain their team lineup looking to improve their teamplay. Before kickoff, John open up the session with a devotion: 'we know we can'.

The Panthers kick off the 1st half that saw them lead 2-0. The first 10 minutes was boring as both sides was unable to really threaten the goal much but the Panthers were having the upper hand in possesion play. Then came the opening goal when the ball was dribbled to the byline at the left corner by Ronnie, skipping past 2 challenge from Daniel and Adrian and still manage to keep the ball in play, cut inside and slot the ball past Michael in the near post effortlessly. An Ashavin-a-like goal! After the restart, Pandas's turn to threaten Panther's goal but both Darren and JZ were unable to convert the chances. 5 minutes before halftime, the Panthers got their 2nd. Once again from the left, Ronnie (is it you? cant rem who scored the 2nd..) again manage to get the ball into the penalty box, unchallenged though closed down, let fly a shot that was deflected in by Nigel into the bottom right corner. Halftime then came soon after with the score: Panthers 2 Pandas 0.

Pandas kickoff the 2nd half playing the same, continuing to try to maintain possesion as the ball was passed from left to right and to left again. No goals came in the first 10 minutes as both gks hardly have anything to do. When Panthers gk Choon Heng look to be injured, Jem kick the ball out of play for them to change the postman. When play resume, Michael gave the ball to Joel who pounce on the free gift and made no mistake slotting it past the regretful Michael. 3-0 to Panthers. Still a cloudless scorching hot weather bearing down on both teams, play became sloppy still with no real goal-mouth action to follow. Panthers have afew more shots and the 2nd half came to an end, much to the relieve of many burnt players.

Final score: Panthers 3 Pandas 0.

Coach Ronnie's pointers: Always go to the person with the ball so that he can have options to pass. On such weather condition, let the ball do the work. Pass 90m run 10m instead of running 90m and pass 10m. Do not remain static! After passing, move around and ask for the ball back if needed. More 1-2s to open up play. Lastly everyone must play their own part in keeping their own fitness throughout the week. Soccer's 90 minute game and if burnt out early, rendered oneself useless for the team already, as in Darrens example for the Pandas who relied heavily on his pace.