Soccer Fellowship Report (15th June)

Its the middle of the school holidays season on a hot saturday afternoon as PMC soccer regular khakkis turned up in HSS for their weekly kickabouts. Not a big attendance as the youths in Church were involved in an event, while some others are taking a break with their family for a weekend holidays overseas. Still about 11 regulars turned up, with the core of it being the PMC team guys.

Play only started at about 345pm as the heat really had the players trickling in at a later timing. After all had geared up and did some passing in the middle of the field, Jem opened the session with a short prayer. Teams were split fairly equal of 5 red shirts v 6 white shirts, with the father and son being in the same team. Goal posts were, as per the last fellowship session, shifted to half field, and play was without goalkeepers. It was a pretty well close game as teams were split up of fairly equal quality. The reds had hard players in Jem, KM, Dan, experienced Uncle Ronnie and pacy Joel. Whites on the other hand have attacking minded David Sng, JZ, YJ, with Michael at the back and the father and son (has pretty good touches for a young age). Goals were flowing on both sides, as all players enjoyed a relaxing session without overexerting on each other. Break was at about 430pm, and after that, Michael (i guess still hangover from his wedding) pulled out, followed by the father and son. Towards the end, its just the reds constantly overloading the whites, as the passing seemed to be non-stop, just waiting to find the gap past the bus parked by the whites in front of their goalpost. Finally it was 5 and everyone was tired, but equally enjoyed the fellowship session. We then bid each other farewell and looked to meetup again in the coming match against PMC known "derby rivals".

Till then, lets all enjoy this school holidays with our loved ones. For those free on 23 June afternoon, feel free to come down to St Gabriel Sec to cheer on PMC as they take on CMC. Cheers.

Soccer Fellowship (15th June)

Soccer Fellowship is on this Saturday, 15th June at Hai Sing Catholic School* (yes, the one in Pasir Ris). We are at this new venue as our regular fields are all unavailable. The location is still rather convenient with many buses plying between Pasir Ris MRT Station and the school. 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 Hai Sing Catholic School is 9 Pasir Ris Drive 6. The entrance to the field however, is along Pasir Ris Drive 3, just across the road from E-Hub. There is a bus-stop just next to the field entrance. The nearest car park is the open air car park along blocks 406/407 Pasir Ris Drive 6.

You can view the map of the area HERE. 

CRC2013 Match #4 Report: PMC vs CAG (9th June)

The PMC Soccer Team turned up at its new 'home ground' of St Gabriel's Secondary School truly intending to get its season back on the road again. Bolstered by the return of last year's offensive duo of Timothy and Martin, the PMC team was certainly hopeful of a good result, even though Isaiah and Daniel were suspended, and Rusydi and Jacob were away.

The pre-match proceedings began with CAG leading in worship and some sharing by their leaders. The PMC team conferred for their pre-match team talk and focused on playing offensively, and getting the result that was badly needed. The team lined up in the following formation:

Martin

Jingzhong - Timothy - Justin

Kee Min - Jeremy Sin

Damien - Kevin - Samuel 

Weijie

David Lim

Both teams started competitively although with contrasting styles. PMC was playing primarily down the middle, with the occasional ball through the left with Jingzhong. CAG on the other hand, was quick to swing long diagonal balls to their wingers at every opportunity, using these speedy players to send quick crosses in or cutting in to take shots on goal. CAG threatened more than PMC in the early stages, with their quick wingers. More than once they had opportunity to shoot, but their shots sailed high, wide or both. Unfortunately for PMC, there was only so much onslaught the team could withstand and when a low cross was played just outside the box, the PMC defenders were wrong-footed by an unplanned double dummy, allowing a free CAG player to shoot unobstructed into the corner of David Lim's net to put CAG 1-0 up. Undaunted, PMC pressed for the equaliser, with Martin leading the line. When he was fouled just outside the box, Timothy stepped up to fire a free-kick into the net, leaving the CAG GK with no chance. With the scores back level at 1-1, both team used the remainder of the 1st half to bring an advantage to the interval, but to no avail. During the half-time team talk, everyone was encouraged by a positive first half but was asked to improve communication and increase chances in the final third.

The same team trudged onto the field for the 2nd half, determined to take the match to CAG. Both teams tried to get the rhythm going again, but CAG was clearly getting the lion's share of chances, with Weijie and Samuel having to make goal-line clearances, and the PMC crossbar saving the team on 3 occasions. Offensively, PMC wasn't that sharp, with just hopeful balls lofted into the CAG half. It was thus no surprise that CAG took the lead again, with another swift break down the PMC right flank. As hard as the defenders tried, the whipped cross evaded a number of players in the box, leaving the CAG forward near the far post to finish from a tight angle. Being 2-1 down, PMC brought on David Sng for Sameul and Yi Jun for Justin in search of goals. The equaliser did come quickly, but it was all done to the individual work of Jingzhong, who stole the ball from CAG's LB and took on the GK to make it 2-2. With full time just 15min away, it seemed like a draw was to be a fair result, but both teams disregarded that fact and continued to attack. However, the game-changer arrived when David Sng and David Lim went for the same high ball, without an opponent near them. The collision left David Lim on the ground with a badly sprained ankle, and was subbed off with Maurice coming on. Steve also came on for Martin during this time. With the defence slightly shaken and CAG continuing their onslaught from the wing, it was a matter of time before a high ball was not well claimed by Maurice, leaving the CAG forward to poke the ball into an empty net. It was another bitter pill for PMC to swallow, with a late goal leaving PMC without a point from the match after working so hard. 

The post-game team talk sounded familiar as it was the 2nd consecutive game that PMC had been at 2-2 at the 70th minute, but late mistakes leaving the team on the losing end. Still everyone felt the effort was good, and left knowing that there would still be more matches to play. David Lim had to leave for the hospital for an X-ray but was thankful to find his ankle not fractured. 

Soccer Fellowship Report (1st June)

Despite the excellant weather for soccer only 8 guys turned up for soccer fellowship. Poor turnout largely due to a number of regulars absent to attend our Bro Michael Chua wedding celebrations that day. Ronnie opened the session by sharing that God wants us to honor our parents, to value and cherish them as our parents deserve our love and respect. This is how we should treat our parents if we desire God's blessing.

Due to the small turnout, play had to be restricted to 4 a side which was played on a half size field with no goalie. It was the usual Whites vs Coloured team. Play commenced with the Coloured team playing the more aggressive and direct soccer focusing on short passing, retaining posession, short dribbling and shoot on sight strategy. The White team was however contented to sit back to handle the onslaught, defending stoutly, employing quick counter attacks to score a couple of quick goals. Play was pretty even in the first half and a similar pattern followed in the second half. The second half saw both teams stepped up the pace as rain threatened to pour as grey clouds covered the skyline and strong winds blewed. Lots of running and short passing of the ball by both teams with many goals scored. Due to the small number of players per team, the players had to do more running than usual and all did enjoyed a good workout on the field. Heavy rain eventually descended on the field with about 15 mins of playing time left and play had to stop with the players running to the changing room to take shelter from the rain.
Kevin closed the session in prayer.