Friendly match .vs. CMC report [26th February]

It was really hot as 3pm approached and as the PMC players made their way to Pasir Ris Secondary School. This was to be the final warm-up game for the start of AC11 (Agape Cup 2011) and a strong 18-player squad was selected based on the players available. Also arriving that afternoon was the new kit by Thorb, sponsored by Boston Pizza Company.

Jingzhong, Lincoln and Marcus modelling the new kit

The view from the rear

The 18-player squad before kick-off

Samuel, Yuen Wai ('Mr Boston Pizza') and David

Before kick-off, Jeremy led players from both teams in a time of devotion, focusing on managing setbacks in life. The refereee than called the starters from both teams onto the field for kick-off. PMC started with a young line-up, hoping to capitalise on speed for a good start. The 4-1-4-1 formation was employed:

Michael

Daniel - Weijie - Jeremy - Marcus

Dominic

Jacob - Kee Min - Kevin Liam - Jingzhong

Steve

PMC definitely started brighter of the 2 teams and within 5 mins, could have been 2-0. With lots of wingplay and fast ball movement to Steve, chances were aplenty. On the 1st occasion, Jacob's good play down the right found Steve unmarked in the box, but after some good close control, he fired the ball high with his left foot. Shortly after, Steve found himself in a good position outside the box, but his left foot shot was narrowly wide. When the CMC GK was finally beaten, his bar/post saved him. This took place at least twice, once from a curler by Yi Jun. Knowing that they were on the back foot, CMC tried to trouble PMC with long balls, but there were easily dealt with by the very solid back four, giving Michael the simplest task of collecting stray passes. The 1st half was clearly dominated by PMC, but the team had nothing to show for it on the scoresheet as the half ended.

Players waiting to capitalize on a corner

Jacob swings in the corner

Daniel prepares to make the free-kick count

Midfield action!

The 2nd half started with some changes. CMC's players who came late were clearly the stronger lot and were fielded immediately. PMC also made some changes, hoping to inject more attacking verve, with Rusydi and Yi Jun coming on. The initial stages of the 2nd half again belonged the PMC, with hard running by Dominic and Kee Min to supply Yi Jun with something. On a move from the left, Kevin thought his moment of glory had arrived after he controlled a throw-in and fired in a piledriver, by the CMC GK was able to parry it wide. Soon however, PMC's much-deserved goal finally arrived, albeit through fortunate circumstances. An innocuous high ball was fumbled by the CMC GK and Yi Jun was there to poke it into an empty net.

The goal galvanised to PMC team to search for more goals and there were a few more chances but again, the bar saved CMC, once from a glorious looping header by Marcus. CMC, for all their effort, were restricted mostly to long shots which either went wide or long. However, their moment to turn the match around came when a through ball found its way to their 'Chilli Padi' striker in the penalty box. Marcus stuck out his leg to get the ball, but took the player out instead. The referee instantly pointed to the penalty spot. CMC's Jansen (more affectionately know to us as 'Botak') made no mistake to bring the score to 1-1. CMC sensed that the tide had turned in their favour and launched attack after attack. The PMC players scrambled to keep the shape and clear the danger repeatedly. It was also during these final moments of the match, that things got slightly tasty, with some physical play that the referee had to stop the match to settle. None of these served to change the scoreline and the match ended at 1-1. Mark Chan (from CMC) gathered the players around the shed and closed in prayer.

Agape Cup Portal on Football OPOD

Hi everyone

Agape Cup has partnered Football OPOD to develop a comprehensive web-portal to access all the information on fixtures, results, team profiles, reports etc...

Do follow this link to find out more about this year's Agape Cup and how our PMC team is progressing - Agape Cup Portal.

Soccer Fellowship Report [19th February]

A light shower at 2.30pm threatened to put this afternoon's Soccer Fellowship in doubt. However, about 22 faithfuls still turned up at the start (about 4 more joined later) and were duly rewarded. Maurice shared from the story of David and Goliath from 1 Samuel 17 about being Giant Killers. While we might not have the strength to take on life's challenges on our own, we can trust in the living God whom nothing and no none can stand against.

We then proceeded to split into two teams, the Reds and Blue/White with Kelvin and Michael in goal respectively. Both teams started off very lively and were keen to draw first blood. After a few half chances, the ball fell to Nigel (Blue/White) near the 6 yard box and he shot a tame shot towards goal. However, Kelvin scuffed his clearance only to see the ball trickle agonisingly into goal. GOAL! A fitting reward for Nigel who was running tirelessly as the Blue/White's striker. Maybe his surname should be changed to 'Suarez'.

Although the Reds tried to equalise, their best effrots were cut off by the Blue/Whites back 4 of Wei En, Marcus, Maurice and Patrick. The momentum continued with John down the right flank. His slightly overhit cross eluded everyone in the 6 yard box but fell nicely to JZ on the left who only had the goalkeeper to beat as he slotted home for the Blue/White. GOAL!

The Reds quickly countered down the right and an inch-perfect cross was met by Daniel, who headed in for the Red's first goal. GOAL! Halftime : 2 - 1 to the Blur/Whites.

The 2nd half started much like the same as the 1st, with both teams looking for goals. However, by this time, we were playing 12 or 13 aside so it was more difficult to find space. Both sides' defence held their ground to deny any attacking threat. As the game wore on, it looked like the Blue/Whites would claim a narrow victory. But credit to the Red team for not giving up. A non-threatening cross floated into the Blue/White's 6 yard box and would have been collected by Michael but for the on-charging Raymond, who chested the ball and bundled it into the net. GOAL!

The game ended 2 - 2 and everyone had a good runout. A few of the younger guys (and John) even joined in the next game as one of the teams was short of players.

Soccer Fellowship [19th February]

Soccer Fellowship is on this Saturday, 19th February at Pasir Ris Secondary School* (the one in Tampines!). The session will be from 3 - 5 pm.

Please bring BOTH a BRIGHT and DARK jersey so that we can split the teams evenly.

Please pray for good weather! If you suspect the session is cancelled, please check the blog/email for more information before you head for the field. Cancellation of session will be broadcast on the blog and by email immediately when we are informed by Sports Council.

*The address of Pasir Ris Secondary School is 390 Tampines Street 21. The entrance to the field is opposite Block 253. If you are driving, the car park nearest to the school field is the open-air car park along Block 253. The map of the area around the school can be viewed HERE.

Soccer Fellowship Report [12th February]

After a week's hiatus to celebrate the Lunar New Year, we congregated at Pasir Ris Secondary School on a sunny Saturday afternoon to participate in our 5th Soccer Fellowship. 20 players showed up despite the blazing heat, a contrast to the previous Soccer Fellowship where the mood was dampened my heavy rain and soggy conditions.

John conducted a quick sharing before we were split into two teams, the Whites and Red/Blue.

With only approximately 10 men on each side, no goalkeepers were fielded and goals were only to be scored in the 6 yard box.

The game started off tentatively with both teams keeping possession of the ball and stroking it around without much purpose or penetration. The Whites were slightly more incisive and had a few opportunities in the opening minutes to go a goal up but was let down by poor finishing and some last ditch defending by Mark and Jem.

Somewhat against the run of play, Red/Blue managed to draw first blood. A long punt upfield from defence caught out the Whites and Ming Kiat had the simple task of running through and putting the ball into the empty net. Determined not to roll over, the Whites came back strongly and managed to equalize before Red/Blue scored in quick succession to enter the break 3-1 up.

After a short break, both teams emerged again with both teams changing tactics. Red/Blue fielded Dominic up front on his own with Ronnie supporting him from midfield while the Whites put Marcus up front, pushing Tim to the left. The 2nd half started much like the same as the 1st, with both teams playing keep ball.

However, a timely intervention by an unlikely source changed the flow of the game toward the Whites. 10 minutes into the 2nd half with both teams cancelling each other out, the parking attendant arrived and the game had to be momentarily stopped. The Whites managed to regroup after the short break and scored 3 goals in a space of 10 minutes as the Red/Blue self-capitulated defensively, with Marcus grabbing a brace.

That sparked the Red/Blue into life as both teams took turns to score thereafter with Dominic somehow managing to get 4 goals for himself and Rusydi and Marcus running the show for the Whites.

At the end, the scoreline did not matter as both sets of players had a good runout and played good, controlled football which will serve them well in the upcoming Agape Cup.

All the best boys for the upcoming Agape Cup. Go get 'em.

Ming Kiat

Soccer Fellowship [12th February]

Soccer Fellowship is on this Saturday, 12th February at Pasir Ris Secondary School* (the one in Tampines!). The session will be from 3 - 5 pm.

Please bring BOTH a BRIGHT and DARK jersey so that we can split the teams evenly.

Please pray for good weather! If you suspect the session is cancelled, please check the blog/email for more information before you head for the field. Cancellation of session will be broadcast on the blog and by email immediately when we are informed by Sports Council.

*The address of Pasir Ris Secondary School is 390 Tampines Street 21. The entrance to the field is opposite Block 253. If you are driving, the car park nearest to the school field is the open-air car park along Block 253. The map of the area around the school can be viewed HERE.

Soccer Fellowship Report [29th January]

It was a nice cooling afternoon for a game of soccer. Teams were separated into teams of blues and white. We started off with a mini game of 8 aside game using half a field with cones.

The whites string together in attack with the likes of Kee Min, Jingzhong and Daniel. After the whites were leading by 3-0, a few more turned up making it a 9-aside game.

Soon, another 2 arrived and teams were separated to plan player’s position. Both sides were closely matched areas of defence, attack and midfield distribution. Score was 1-1 and soon it rained pretty heavily. Many bad passes were made since. It was much a reminder for everyone that wet weather, adjustment and more precise passing is required.

The heavy rain did not deter the passionate players...

Since the pitch is wet, many went for the effort of trying from range since the ball slips faster making goalkeepers mistime their save. However, majority of the efforts went wide. *Only converted chances results in goal*

After 15minutes, the score went to 2-2. The rain stopped and the sky is clear. The pitch is still wet, boots soaked with water. Play slowed down, but nonetheless, it’s still closely fought between both sides. Many chances were created, but only a couple manage to nail the final ball.

The game ended with the score of 3-3. It was a fairly matched game as the score were never more than 2 goals in difference. Many were tired after the game, which shows the lack of fitness and the need to be ready when Agape Cup starts in March. Teamwork can only be focused on weekly fellowship. Fitness wise, it’s still mostly a personal effort on everyone’s part.