Soccer Fellowship (18th Feb 2012)

We were initially refused entry into the school because of water-logged pitch

The pitched looked fine after we 'forced' our way in

Hi everyone, I apologise for such a late update of this session's update. On that day, we welcomed first-time participants Mark(scorer), Andrew and Wenbin. All of them are Wei Jie's friends (same army camp & JC). We thank God for their participation.

Weijie & friends kitting up

Michael then opened the session with a simple devotion to God on the topic, The Rat Race, focusing on what kind of worldly race men have been running for but never seems to end. After a short prayer, we started our session with about six other regular PMC players and played a 5-a-sidehalf-field game. It was a good work-out for most of us, with Michael the usual suspect in fitness due to his medical condition (LOL). The game could have gone either after abt an hour or so of play (with a small break in between), with goals from Kee Min, Jacob, Kelvin, Wei Jie, Mark & Wenbin giving a score of 3-3. In between, there were moments of good defending & attacking moves. However, the most glaring was Michael who missed a few chances of creating goal-scoring opportunities for his team mates with his selfish play.

John & Yuen Wai after the enjoyable session

Soccer Fellowship (18th February)

Soccer Fellowship is ON this Saturday, 18th February at Changkat Changi Secondary School*. The session will be from 3 - 5 pm. Even though the pitch is small, it is ideal for 9-a-side matches. Do come down if you can!

Please bring more than 1 coloured jersey so that we can distribute everyone into teams as necessary. 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 Changkat Changi Secondary School is 23 Simei Street 3. It is located within walking distance from Simei MRT Station. The entrance to the field is through a little lane between East Point Green Condominium and Changkat Changi Primary School. You can access the lane from Simei Street 3. Please refer to the map below.

Soccer Fellowship (11 Feb 2012) Report

The players were greeted by a scorching hot weather as they subsequently arrived Changkat Changi Secondary School. The centre of the pitch was found to be barren and solid, which increased the level of difficulty to play on it.

Before the game started, Jacob shared about his broken wrist accident and how God had helped him throughout the crucial period of A'Levels in 2009. He related this experience to Psalm 3:5-6, which says " Trust in the Lord with all our heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."

With a shortage of players turning up, they started the game with 4-a-side with Reds against Blues. The Blue side were made up of younger players and they were able to pull open the Reds' defense using their pace, creating more opportunities in the early minutes. The Reds put up a stern defense but were soon found themselves trailing the Blues by 2 goals. With some re-organisation after a new player joined the Reds, the Reds were able to capitalise their numerical advantage. With some neat passes and possession, the Reds leveled the score 2-2 by the half time.

Using benches as goalposts

Taking a break during halftime

Jingzhong demonstrating the art of juggling

The 2nd half started off with 5-a-side after Kevin showed up and was quickly gotten into action. The Blues began the match again with an offensive fashion while the Reds were forced to sit back but were able to conduct some effective counter-attacks. Although the Blues were able to lead the score 4-2, they had started to lose their pace and stamina. The Reds then piled up the pressure and leveled the score 4-4. Before the end of the 2nd half, Jeremy Tan and Jacob had cramps subsequently, leaving the Blues with 3 players to face waves of attacks from the Reds. However, the match ended shortly after that with the final score unchanged.

Soccer Fellowship (11th February)

We hope everyone had a blessed Chinese New Year with the family, friends & feasting! For those who over-feasted, it's time to hit the field again!

We are having Soccer Fellowship this Saturday, 11th February at Changkat Changi Secondary School*. The session will be from 3 - 5 pm.

Please bring more than 1 coloured jersey so that we can distribute everyone into teams as necessary. 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 Changkat Changi Secondary School is 23 Simei Street 3. It is located within walking distance from Simei MRT Station. The entrance to the field is through a little lane between East Point Green Condominium and Changkat Changi Primary School. You can access the lane from Simei Street 3. Please refer to the map below.

Friendly match vs AMC Report (5th January)

PMC made the long journey to Dover Road to take on AMC on their home turf for the 1st time in 2012. Being a day before the Chinese 'Chap Goh Meh', the PMC team was made up of 12 players and 3 guests (Isaiah, Shannon and Clement). This was in contrast to the AMC team which had at least 30 players turn up. Nonetheless, with whoever had arrived on time, PMC fielded the strongest possible team to take on AMC:

Yi Jun - Jeremy Tan

Jingzhong - Isaiah - Kee Min - Lincoln

Damien - Kevin - Daniel - Nigel

Michael

The match started with AMC on the front foot and completely pegging PMC in their own half. In the first 5 mins alone, PMC had to withstand wave after wave of AMC attacks, most notably from corners and long throws. PMC had to thank the post and Damien on the line for preventing AMC goals. The make-shift defence tried their best to cope with the onslaught and it was a miracle that it was still scoreless after 5 mins. Even more remarkable was that on a fast break, Damien played a sweet through ball to Jingzhong who took it down the left wing and squeezed the ball into AMC's goal via the near post. AMC looked completely stunned as PMC took the lead with their 1st attack of the game. Immediately after the re-start, AMC unleashed waves of onslaught and only some good work by the defenders and confident ball handling by Michael denied AMC an immediate goal. However, the defence could only hold on for so long, and when a corner was only cleared to the edge of the box, an AMC midfielder made no mistake by volleying it into the top corner of PMC's goal to make the score 1-1. PMC tried to hold on to the ball and gain a foothold in the match, but the ball was often lost in midfield, or played aimlessly forward. With AMC having more possession, it was only a matter of time before they scored their 2nd. This time, it was a corner that evaded all the defenders and Michael, allowing an AMC striker to head into an empty net. Within 15 mins, the score was 2-1 to AMC. By this time however, reinforcements arrived in the form of PMC's 1st choice centre-back pairing of Dominic and Jeremy Sin, who took the field to replace Jeremy Tan and Nigel. With some reshuffling and better organisation, PMC had better control of the ball and was able to carve out good chances for Yi Jun and Isaiah, but the AMC keeper was always up to the task. Credit must be given to Jeremy Sin and Dominic for shoring up the defence and shutting AMC out for the rest of the half (and the rest of the game actually...).

Daniel, Jingzhong & Damien taking a well-deserved break

Kee Min, Isaiah & Neil making full use of the half-time break

Start of the 2nd half

With more players to choose from in the 2nd half and some fresh legs, PMC took the field looking for an equaliser. Neil, Clement, Shannon and Ming Kiat came out for their first run-out of the afternoon. AMC also took the opportunity to change out their entire first-half 11 and started with a completely new team. PMC was much more composed in the 2nd half and held on to the ball well. Some neat one-touch play also allowed Yi Jun and Jingzhong to break towards goal, but they were ruled offside. When the big chance did arrive, only Ming Kiat will know how the ball did not end up in the back of AMC's net. A long ball forwards caught AMC's defenders ball watching, with only Ming Kiat making his run to meet the ball. However, his first time volley was sent high over the bar. AMC hardly threatened in the 2nd half, resorting mostly to corners and free kicks, which the steady defence was able to deal with. PMC had a few more good chances that fell to Jeremy Tan, Lincoln and Yi Jun, but all of them went begging through misses, or good goalkeeping by the AMC keeper. The final kick of the game saw Yi Jun hitting a stiff shot high and wide.

With the referee departing, PMC and AMC continued to play a 3rd period of 40min in Soccer Fellowship style, with AMC winning 2-0.

Soccer Fellowship (28 Jan 2012) Report

Perfect weather greeted the players as they arrived at the Changkat Changi School, a stark contrast to the torrential rains, thunder and flooding of the previous week. But while the gentle breeze may have improved playing conditions, the depleted player numbers ensured that the game was going to be physically demanding.

Samuel sharing devotion before the start of Soccer Fellowship

Before we started playing, Samuel Eyo shared his struggle and trial during 2003 to 2004 and he used Psalm 18:30-36 to relate his renewed faith with God.

The Lord is my rock and my fortress. - Psalm 18:2

From the Daily Bread: " Don't stand out in life's storms alone. Seek God's shelter. Ask Him to portect you. Make sure you have received His forgiveness. get close to the Rock of Ages. It's life's safest spot. - Dave Branon"

Sorted by shirt colour, the Reds and Blues started with a mere five and four players respectively. Capitalising on this numerical advantage, the Blues quickly gained the early ascendancy. Fast running through the centre and some excellent short passing saw the Blues score the first few goals. At the other end, simple goal opportunities were squandered, creating wide spaces for the Blues to channel their counter-attacks. Attempting to wrestle back the initiative, the Reds only pushed forward harder and harder, leaving their defense more and more exposed. The Blues were fast to exploit this, and before long the lead had grown to 4-0.

At this point, in the interest of a fair game, the Blues surrendered a player to the Reds. At first this had no effect – the Blues were perfectly content to sit back and defend, the score plateaued. The reds managed a consolation goal before half time however still trailed by three goals at the break.

Grass cutters showed up for work, but we turned them away!

Justin & Daniel taking a well-deserved break

As play resumed, the tempo of the game lifted (both teams now re-energised), and a flurry of well-constructed goals saw the Reds’ bring the score to 5-4. Buoyed by this success, the Reds reverted to the pressing tactics that had cost them dearly in the first half. Now however the effect was even worse – plagued with fatigue, the Reds’ attackers struggled to regain defensive positions when the ball was turned over. Misplaced passes were swooped on by the Blues as their counterparts struggled to hold possession. On the other hand, the Blues adapted to the sluggish game best, biding their time with risk-free, seemingly ineffectual passes before pouncing on any gaps. The tactic ensured control of the ball despite their player shortage, and saw the Blues score the last three goals to take the day.

Final score: 8-4.

Reported by: Matthew Vethecan (Samuel Eyo's nephew)

Soccer Fellowship (28th Jan)

A very blessed Chinese New Year to everyone in the Soccer Community. We hope that you have enjoyed time with the family, friends & feasting!

We are having Soccer Fellowship this Saturday, 28th January at Changkat Changi Secondary School*. The session will be from 3 - 5 pm.

Please bring more than 1 coloured jersey so that we can distribute everyone into teams as necessary. 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 Changkat Changi Secondary School is 23 Simei Street 3. It is located within walking distance from Simei MRT Station. The entrance to the field is through a little lane between East Point Green Condominium and Changkat Changi Primary School. You can access the lane from Simei Street 3. Please refer to the map below.

Soccer Fellowship Report - 21 January 2012

Aptly, Kevin "kicked off" the first soccer fellowship of the new year by sharing from Psalms 20 and in particular, verse 7, calling on us to trust in the Lord. A timely reminder in what is shaping up to be an uncertain year for the economy and country in general.

Warming up for the 1st Soccer Fellowship session of the year

Samuel with his family from Melbourne, Australia

The next generation getting ready

With new faces for the new year, teams were split with the Reds lining up against the Rest with 9 or 10 on each side. As with some of our previous sessions, scoring was only limited to the 6-yard area with no goalkeepers for either side.

The game kicked off at a furious pace with many evidently feeling refreshed after the long break (since the last soccer fellowship); it was also evident that as many were rusty after the long break as stray and misplaced passes started creeping into the game.

With both sides taking some time to settle into the game and get their touches in order, both teams started making promising plays and inroads into each other's halves. With a good sized pitch at Junyuan to play on and with less than 11 players on each side, it wasn't long before the game started to get stretched and the Rest seized on some slack defending by the Reds to grab the first goal.

Taking a well-deserved break during half-time

Undeterred, the Reds came back strongly and started to get comfortable on the ball and retain more of the possession. The Reds started to test the Rest's defence with probing balls but the Rest's defence stood firm. However, the Reds started to force the issue and were soon rewarded when a stiff pass into the 6 yard area was not promptly cleared by the Rest's defence which only managed to deflect the ball into the net. 1-1 and it was all to play for.

The rest of the session continued in like manner but with the game getting stretched and players tiring, more chances came each team's way and the final score ended 4-3 in favour of the Rests with the pouring rain marking the end of the session.

The pouring rain

Soccer Fellowship (21st Jan)

Soccer Fellowship returns this this Saturday, 21st January at Junyuan Secondary 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 Junyuan Secondary School is 11 Tampines Street 84. The entrance to the field is through a gate at the intersection of Street 83 and 84. There is ample parking around the school but the open-air car park at Blocks 845 and 847 are the closest. Please refer to the map HERE for reference.

Friendly Match: PMC 4 -1 GIBC

PMC ran out 4-1 winners in their first friendly match of 2012 against a young GIBC side. The game was keenly contested with the scoreline somewhat flattering PMC. Nevertheless, it was a good performance by the team who won the game courtesy of 2 own goals by GIBC, Jing Zhong and Dominic.

First PMC team photo of 2012. Here's to a good year ahead!

PMC started the game with a 4-4-1-1 formation.

Yijun

Dominic

Jing Zhong - Kevin - Kee Min - Jacob

Ming Kiat - Mark - Jeremy - Daniel

Michael

In spite of the bumpy pitch, PMC controlled the game right from the off with Kee Min and Kevin sitting deep, allowing Dominic to act as the link between attack and defence. With a team consisting of players who have already played with each other for 1 or 2 years, PMC settled into a comfortable rhythm despite a 1.5 month hiatus.

PMC scored their first goal through a mistake by GIBC's right back. The young players of GIBC showed their lack of maturity with their right back getting caught in possession on the edge of their penalty box by Jing Zhong, who proceeded to beat the goalkeeper at the far post. 1-0 to PMC.

After the goal, PMC let their foot off the gas and let GIBC back into the game, who managed to hit the goal post on a few occasions. The equalizer came via a swift counter-attack although PMC had a strong case of offside that was turned down by the referee. GIBC's right winger picked up the ball on the edge of his penalty box from a PMC corner and sprinted up the field, linking up well with their striker who slipped the ball through the defence for the right winger who was a step ahead of the defensive line to slip the ball underneath Michael for the equalizer.

At half time, the game was delicately poised at 1-1.

PMC started off on the back foot in the second half, having to withstand heavy pressure from GIBC who were growing in confidence, particularly their striker who led the line well despite being up against the likes of Mark and Jeremy. However, PMC held strong and defended well and managed to take the lead via an own goal with GIBC's centre back accidentally diverting the ball past his keeper from a cross down the right flank.

From then on, PMC held a death grip on the game. A brilliant through ball from Daniel put Dominic through and he made no mistake with a first time finish past the hapless GIBC keeper. The goal put to bed any GIBC hopes of getting back into the game. From then on, it was exercise "Keep Ball" with PMC keeping possession. In the last 10 minutes of the game, PMC were gifted another goal, with the GIBC right back scoring another own goal to give PMC an unassailable 4-1 lead .

It was undoubtedly a good result for the team, especially with it being the first game many have played since the end of the year. There were many positives that can be taken away from the game although Kevin did highlight the need to try and attack while keeping possession and not holding onto the ball for the sole purpose of preventing the opposition from getting it.

All in all, it was a good workout for those who came and a huge welcome back to Justin, who returned to the fray after a long absence from the team.

By Tan Ming Kiat