Hi guys, I've started to receive calls asking whether SF is still on this afternoon. Well, I guess it is since I've not received any calls from the Sports Council cancelling our booking. Also, the rain seems to be clearing up so looks like we're good to go.
See you there!
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Monday, August 11, 2008
Soccer Fellowship [16th August]
Soccer Fellowship is ON this Saturday, 16th August at East Spring Secondary School. The session will be from 3 - 5 pm.
For team identification this week, please bring / wear BOTH a BLUE AND RED jersey. We are continuing with Red to prevent further staining of White tops by mud!
See you on Saturday and please pray for good weather!
*Please be reminded that the entrance to the field is next to Block 362. If you are driving, the multi-storey car park you should park at is at Block 359A. If unsure, please check the street directory map.
For team identification this week, please bring / wear BOTH a BLUE AND RED jersey. We are continuing with Red to prevent further staining of White tops by mud!
See you on Saturday and please pray for good weather!
*Please be reminded that the entrance to the field is next to Block 362. If you are driving, the multi-storey car park you should park at is at Block 359A. If unsure, please check the street directory map.
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
Soccer Fellowship Report [2nd August]
As usual Soccer Fellowship got started off with 'Uncle John" giving us a word of encouragement. He shared on the life of Eric Liddell, a missionary to China who was also an Olympic athlete (for more information on Eric Liddell, follow this link). He not only gave his best on the track but even as a missionary who was imprisoned by the Japanese in World War II. His selfless attitude towards helping others even in prison encouraged so many people.
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Panthers and Pandas getting ready for the match
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Panthers and Pandas on the East Spring pitch
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Uncle John sharing about Eric Liddell
The match was soon brought to 10-a-side with Joel and Yuen Wai coming on for the Panthers and Andrew and Jeremy Sin coming on for the Pandas. However, the flow of the match continued in favour of the Pandas with a third goal. A one-two by Pandas Kevin and Kee Min in midfield released Kevin who from the edge of the box, fired a first time volley over Michael and into the net. The Panthers were looking very toothless up front and the forays by Jingzhong and Uncle John did not reap any rewards. Whatever chances the Panthers had were snuffed out by tight defending by Ronnie, Jeremy, Adrian and Andy, and goalkeeper Kris.
After the break, the Panthers came into the second half stronger with more control in midfield with James in the holding role and playing two upfront. This paid dividends as a goal soon followed. A quick break by Jingzhong down the left found Viji in space to knock the ball into the Pandas' net. The Panthers were back in the match. Another Panther goal soon followed when Joel did some excellent work to slot in the second goal for the Panthers, again from a quick break by Jingzhong on the left. Wth the score at 3 -2, both sides attacked hard and the Pandas were rewarded by another goal from Andy, who took the ball from the right of midfield, into the box and beat defenders to score. The excitement continued with Rusydi coming from his own half to dribble the ball through midfield and the Pandas' defense before knocking the ball into the goal. It was a brilliant individual goal.
The Pandas did not compromise any effort to put the match away. Any hopes for a draw for the Panthers were shattered when Kee Min was tripped in the box by Samuel Eyo. Despite having his penalty expertly saved by Michael, Kee Min reacted quickly to the rebound to bring the score to 5 - 3 in the Pandas favour. It was a great work out. The teams are getting used to positional play as players have been together for some weeks. However, there's still lots more work to do with the passing game, midfield control and set plays.
Reported by Viji Ninan
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Panthers and Pandas getting ready for the match.jpg)
Panthers and Pandas on the East Spring pitch.jpg)
Uncle John sharing about Eric LiddellThe ball game got underway with the Pandas looking the more organised side. With 8-a-side, there was plenty of opportunity to run into spaces and attack the goal. Pandas had the Panthers on the back from the start of the match. The first goal was a mix up between defenders and goalkeeper allowing Panda Justin to run in to tap the ball into the goal with Panthers' goalkeeper Michael stranded. With Pandas domination of midfield through Choon Heng, Kee Min and Kevin, more goals were likely. A second goal soon followed by Justin after some poor defending by the Panthers allowed him space to turn and shoot into goal.
The match was soon brought to 10-a-side with Joel and Yuen Wai coming on for the Panthers and Andrew and Jeremy Sin coming on for the Pandas. However, the flow of the match continued in favour of the Pandas with a third goal. A one-two by Pandas Kevin and Kee Min in midfield released Kevin who from the edge of the box, fired a first time volley over Michael and into the net. The Panthers were looking very toothless up front and the forays by Jingzhong and Uncle John did not reap any rewards. Whatever chances the Panthers had were snuffed out by tight defending by Ronnie, Jeremy, Adrian and Andy, and goalkeeper Kris.
After the break, the Panthers came into the second half stronger with more control in midfield with James in the holding role and playing two upfront. This paid dividends as a goal soon followed. A quick break by Jingzhong down the left found Viji in space to knock the ball into the Pandas' net. The Panthers were back in the match. Another Panther goal soon followed when Joel did some excellent work to slot in the second goal for the Panthers, again from a quick break by Jingzhong on the left. Wth the score at 3 -2, both sides attacked hard and the Pandas were rewarded by another goal from Andy, who took the ball from the right of midfield, into the box and beat defenders to score. The excitement continued with Rusydi coming from his own half to dribble the ball through midfield and the Pandas' defense before knocking the ball into the goal. It was a brilliant individual goal.
The Pandas did not compromise any effort to put the match away. Any hopes for a draw for the Panthers were shattered when Kee Min was tripped in the box by Samuel Eyo. Despite having his penalty expertly saved by Michael, Kee Min reacted quickly to the rebound to bring the score to 5 - 3 in the Pandas favour. It was a great work out. The teams are getting used to positional play as players have been together for some weeks. However, there's still lots more work to do with the passing game, midfield control and set plays.
Reported by Viji Ninan
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Soccer Fellowship [2nd August]
Soccer Fellowship is ON this Saturday, 2nd August at East Spring Secondary School. The session will be from 3 - 5 pm.
For team identification this week, please bring / wear BOTH a BLUE AND RED jersey. We are continuing with Red to prevent further staining of White tops by mud!
See you on Saturday and please pray for good weather!
*Please be reminded that the entrance to the field is next to Block 362. If you are driving, the multi-storey car park you should park at is at Block 359A. If unsure, please check the street directory map.
For team identification this week, please bring / wear BOTH a BLUE AND RED jersey. We are continuing with Red to prevent further staining of White tops by mud!
See you on Saturday and please pray for good weather!
*Please be reminded that the entrance to the field is next to Block 362. If you are driving, the multi-storey car park you should park at is at Block 359A. If unsure, please check the street directory map.
Soccer Fellowship Report [26th July]
It was the usual hot Singapore Saturday afternoon as the PMC Soccer Community gathered for their weekly soccer duel at East Spring Secondary School. Not many people turned up at first and some of the early birds were getting worried but fortunately more people turned up (albeit slightly late) and our worst fears did not come true. Sheldon was our devotion-sharer for that day and he shared with us on an interesting topic on how to be holy, even to the point of showing love to one another on the soccer field. Various answers were given when Sheldon asked the players what their definition of holiness was, such as following God’s law and being set apart for Him. Practically, the on-field suggestions were not cursing one another, not purposely kicking one another and not putting your team-mate or opponents down when they make mistakes and instead help to encourage one another.
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Players getting ready as Sheldon prepares to share from the Word
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Players listening attentively to Sheldon
After devotion, the match got under way with the Panthers in blue and the Pandas in red. The Panthers quickly got the upper hand, taking advantage of some poor passing by the Pandas at the back and utilizing their pace down the flanks in the form of Jingzhong and Damien, to launch devastating counter attacks which left the slow Panda backline stranded. A few quick counter attacks and goalkeeping mistakes later, the Pandas were 3 goals down with hardly any attempts on goal of their own. It was only from a corner that Panda Justin was able to head the Pandas onto the scoresheet. As the half progressed, the usually docile Pandas became enraged and tempers flared. The call for half time was a welcome relief.
The second half got under way with the Pandas kicking off. The Pandas’ half time team-talk led by Papa Panda Ronnie, seemed to have worked as they played with a renewed vigour, taking the match to the Panthers instead of sitting back. They managed to score a few goals through Gabriel and Ronnie and the Panthers where starting to get worried. Papa Panther for the day, Sheldon, could be seen urging his team not to be complacent lest the Pandas overturn their deficit. Despite the Pandas’ best efforts to level the score, Team Panther managed to score a goal of their own through Jingzhong as well and were able to hold onto their lead until the final whistle.
On a side note, if we where to think back, Sheldon’s sharing for that day was highly relevant for us both Christian and non-Christian alike. Love is needed to be shown on the field or we would all get angry at each other when things aren’t going according to plan or when disagreements or misunderstanding arise and the game would be ruined. One example, if I remember correctly a few seasons back, two Newcastle players got into a fight with each other and both players were sent off. Our PMC Soccer Fellowship is a place for us to come together and have fun playing soccer. Thankfully, any conflicts that arose during the session have been resolved, so lets all think twice before getting angry when something goes wrong and keep having fun!! Cheerios!
Reported by Bryan Chan
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Players getting ready as Sheldon prepares to share from the Word.jpg)
Players listening attentively to SheldonThe second half got under way with the Pandas kicking off. The Pandas’ half time team-talk led by Papa Panda Ronnie, seemed to have worked as they played with a renewed vigour, taking the match to the Panthers instead of sitting back. They managed to score a few goals through Gabriel and Ronnie and the Panthers where starting to get worried. Papa Panther for the day, Sheldon, could be seen urging his team not to be complacent lest the Pandas overturn their deficit. Despite the Pandas’ best efforts to level the score, Team Panther managed to score a goal of their own through Jingzhong as well and were able to hold onto their lead until the final whistle.
On a side note, if we where to think back, Sheldon’s sharing for that day was highly relevant for us both Christian and non-Christian alike. Love is needed to be shown on the field or we would all get angry at each other when things aren’t going according to plan or when disagreements or misunderstanding arise and the game would be ruined. One example, if I remember correctly a few seasons back, two Newcastle players got into a fight with each other and both players were sent off. Our PMC Soccer Fellowship is a place for us to come together and have fun playing soccer. Thankfully, any conflicts that arose during the session have been resolved, so lets all think twice before getting angry when something goes wrong and keep having fun!! Cheerios!
Reported by Bryan Chan
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Soccer Fellowship [26th July]
Soccer Fellowship is ON this Saturday, 26th July at East Spring Secondary School. The session will be from 3 - 5 pm.
For team identification this week, please bring / wear BOTH a BLUE AND RED jersey. We are changing White tops to Red as quite a number of White tops were stained permanently by muddy water last week!
See you on Saturday and please pray for good weather!
*Please be reminded that the entrance to the field is next to Block 362. If you are driving, the multi-storey car park you should park at is at Block 359A. If unsure, please check the street directory map.
For team identification this week, please bring / wear BOTH a BLUE AND RED jersey. We are changing White tops to Red as quite a number of White tops were stained permanently by muddy water last week!
See you on Saturday and please pray for good weather!
*Please be reminded that the entrance to the field is next to Block 362. If you are driving, the multi-storey car park you should park at is at Block 359A. If unsure, please check the street directory map.
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.
Pandas 1
[Derrick]
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
Reported by Sheldon Liew
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Singapore to play Brazil Olympic Team @ National Stadium!
It has been confirmed that Singapore will play the Brazil Olympic team in a friendly on Monday, 28th July @ the National Stadium. Read the Channel News Asia report here. This is part of the Brazil team's preparations for their Olympic campaign.
I'm sure some of us in the Community would be interested to catch this match, especially with the 'star' players Robinho (Real Madrid), Ronaldinho (AC Milan), Anderson (Man Utd) and Pato (AC Milan) lining up alongside some up and coming youth.
Tickets for the match go on sale from Tuesday, July 22 at all Sistic outlets with prices starting from $60 for gallery seats while Grandstand tickets are available at $120. Two thousand tickets priced at $15 are also available for students under the age of 16 years old. Student passes must be produced at the time of purchase.
If you're interested to go for this match, just leave your intentions by posting a comment and I'll get back to you once we have a group confirmed.
Thanks!
I'm sure some of us in the Community would be interested to catch this match, especially with the 'star' players Robinho (Real Madrid), Ronaldinho (AC Milan), Anderson (Man Utd) and Pato (AC Milan) lining up alongside some up and coming youth.
Tickets for the match go on sale from Tuesday, July 22 at all Sistic outlets with prices starting from $60 for gallery seats while Grandstand tickets are available at $120. Two thousand tickets priced at $15 are also available for students under the age of 16 years old. Student passes must be produced at the time of purchase.
If you're interested to go for this match, just leave your intentions by posting a comment and I'll get back to you once we have a group confirmed.
Thanks!
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Soccer Fellowship Report [12th July]
Last Saturday marked the first showdown between 2 ancient warrior groups, the PANDAS & the PANTHERS. True to character, several of the Pandas did not show up for this duel (presumably busy looking for bamboos to chew on, cooking noodles or simply lazing the afternoon away). The Panthers had great strength in numbers, and graciously loaned out some of their own kind. Before the match, Panda Kevin shared about perseverance and how we sometimes need to persevere to achieve positive results in the things that we do.
The sparring kicked off with the Pandas in white, and the Panthers in blue, under the scorching Saturday afternoon sun. Both sides played a fast and aggressive attacking game, particularly down the flanks. However, as the sparring session was both teams' first time playing together, it was clear that much had to be learned. While some attacks by both teams were promising, they mostly broke down due to their respective inabilities to:
1) Keep possession in their attacking third of the pitch
2) Release the ball at the right time
3) Make good first touches when in opposition territory
As the first half of the duel wore on, lethargic legs began to kick in and the deadlock looked likely to be carried to the break. Then from a short corner, Panda Tim was allowed time and space to maraud into the Panther penalty box before slotting past Papa Panther, Maurice. The goal seemed to give the Pandas a 2nd wind just before halftime, and a long through ball by acting Panda Bangshi was once again finished off by Panda Tim in a one-on-one situation with Papa Panther.
Halftime score: Pandas 2 - Panthers 0
The second part of the epic fight kicked off with several pugilistic changes on both warrior teams, as well as certain positional alterations. Panda Joel got a run up front and immediately showed his worth with and excellently taken chance on the run, after good work down the flank by an unknown Panda (possibly Panda Choon Heng, who was using his speed and strength to great effect, even from the right-back position). The Panthers fought back even harder and had a few chances through long balls that either went begging or were snuffed out be Papa Panda Kevin who was now in goal. Finally, the Panthers were rewarded for their effort when a stalking Panther managed to trick Panda Mark, who was now in goal and score the Panther's first goal. The Panthers pulled further closer with a penalty for an unfair challenge by Panda Jeremy Tan (not Joel's brother). Panda Choon Heng, of course, felt that it was a soft give-away and proceeded to demonstrate a tumle of his own for laughs. The penalty kick was duly dispatched into the bottom corner beyond Panda Mark by one of the young and upcoming Panther warriors, Andrew. It was brilliantly taken!
The Pandas then immediately restored the 3 goal lead with an amazing piece of dribbling skill and determination by Panda Choon Heng. Taking the ball in midfield, he dribbled past one defender after the another and even Panther Mike in goal to slot the ball into an empty net. His wild Panda celebrations showed his joy!
But a lapse in concentration during a Panther corner (as well as horrible marking by this journalistic Panda), saw the Pandas lead cut down to just 2 goals again. Whilst the marking was atrocious, take no credit away from Panther David who thumped the corner into the Panda net with an awesome first time volley! Pandas 4 - Panthers 2.
The Panthers could have still come back into the game, but immediately from kick-off, Panda Kevin dribbled down the middle, played Panda Choon Heng into space on the right, who brilliantly took the ball, crossed it first time for Panda Joel to poke the ball past the keeper from an acute angle.
Final score: Pandas 5 - Panthers 3
Some words of wisdom from Masters Wugui and Shifu...
"Both teams need to learn to keep possession of the ball better. Without the ball, we're ALWAYS chasing the opponents' game."
"The first touch is THE most important touch."
"One does not always have to pass the ball FORWARD. There is no shame in passing the ball back to a supporting team mate when one has little other options."
Till the next sparring episode of this epic showdown...train hard young warriors...
Reported by Timothy
The sparring kicked off with the Pandas in white, and the Panthers in blue, under the scorching Saturday afternoon sun. Both sides played a fast and aggressive attacking game, particularly down the flanks. However, as the sparring session was both teams' first time playing together, it was clear that much had to be learned. While some attacks by both teams were promising, they mostly broke down due to their respective inabilities to:
1) Keep possession in their attacking third of the pitch
2) Release the ball at the right time
3) Make good first touches when in opposition territory
As the first half of the duel wore on, lethargic legs began to kick in and the deadlock looked likely to be carried to the break. Then from a short corner, Panda Tim was allowed time and space to maraud into the Panther penalty box before slotting past Papa Panther, Maurice. The goal seemed to give the Pandas a 2nd wind just before halftime, and a long through ball by acting Panda Bangshi was once again finished off by Panda Tim in a one-on-one situation with Papa Panther.
Halftime score: Pandas 2 - Panthers 0
The second part of the epic fight kicked off with several pugilistic changes on both warrior teams, as well as certain positional alterations. Panda Joel got a run up front and immediately showed his worth with and excellently taken chance on the run, after good work down the flank by an unknown Panda (possibly Panda Choon Heng, who was using his speed and strength to great effect, even from the right-back position). The Panthers fought back even harder and had a few chances through long balls that either went begging or were snuffed out be Papa Panda Kevin who was now in goal. Finally, the Panthers were rewarded for their effort when a stalking Panther managed to trick Panda Mark, who was now in goal and score the Panther's first goal. The Panthers pulled further closer with a penalty for an unfair challenge by Panda Jeremy Tan (not Joel's brother). Panda Choon Heng, of course, felt that it was a soft give-away and proceeded to demonstrate a tumle of his own for laughs. The penalty kick was duly dispatched into the bottom corner beyond Panda Mark by one of the young and upcoming Panther warriors, Andrew. It was brilliantly taken!
The Pandas then immediately restored the 3 goal lead with an amazing piece of dribbling skill and determination by Panda Choon Heng. Taking the ball in midfield, he dribbled past one defender after the another and even Panther Mike in goal to slot the ball into an empty net. His wild Panda celebrations showed his joy!
But a lapse in concentration during a Panther corner (as well as horrible marking by this journalistic Panda), saw the Pandas lead cut down to just 2 goals again. Whilst the marking was atrocious, take no credit away from Panther David who thumped the corner into the Panda net with an awesome first time volley! Pandas 4 - Panthers 2.
The Panthers could have still come back into the game, but immediately from kick-off, Panda Kevin dribbled down the middle, played Panda Choon Heng into space on the right, who brilliantly took the ball, crossed it first time for Panda Joel to poke the ball past the keeper from an acute angle.
Final score: Pandas 5 - Panthers 3
Some words of wisdom from Masters Wugui and Shifu...
"Both teams need to learn to keep possession of the ball better. Without the ball, we're ALWAYS chasing the opponents' game."
"The first touch is THE most important touch."
"One does not always have to pass the ball FORWARD. There is no shame in passing the ball back to a supporting team mate when one has little other options."
Till the next sparring episode of this epic showdown...train hard young warriors...
Reported by Timothy
Monday, July 14, 2008
Soccer Training [19th July]
Soccer Training is ON this Saturday, 19th July at East Spring Secondary School. The session will be from 3 - 5 pm and will be taken by our resident coach and ex-National player, Ronnie Liew. The first half of the session will be on ball skills and technique while the second half will feature game play.
For team identification this week, please bring / wear BOTH a BLUE AND WHITE jersey.
See you on Saturday and please pray for good weather!
*Please be reminded that the entrance to the field is next to Block 362. If you are driving, the multi-storey car park you should park at is at Block 359A. If unsure, please check the street directory map.
For team identification this week, please bring / wear BOTH a BLUE AND WHITE jersey.
See you on Saturday and please pray for good weather!
*Please be reminded that the entrance to the field is next to Block 362. If you are driving, the multi-storey car park you should park at is at Block 359A. If unsure, please check the street directory map.
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