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.

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.

Players getting ready as Sheldon prepares to share from the Word


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

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.

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.


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

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!

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

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.

Agape Cup Match Report #7 [6 July]

It has taken a while for this blog to be posted and after much harrassment (somewhat similar to the recent article on harrassment at work) from the chief blogger, and after gathering much thoughts on what to write, its time now.

It was the last game for PMC's run in the AGAPE Cup. Funny that such a name was chosen when there was hardly any "AGAPE" shown but then again, whats in a name? The 7 game which was entrusted to PMC to qualify for a semi final berth was given from the start. Plenty of hard rules were given to us which were hardly followed. But being a blog and being tasked to write about footballing matters, let's keep the 'political' matters out of here.

A sunny day with some clouds hanging about in the sky. A perfect weather for football, not too hot, not too wet. The usual kitting up banter was around, with few players forgetting to bring along their socks. The usual event started before any game, though it was rather quick this time. Prior to kick off, as the team positioned itself on the field, there was a different feel out there. For a long while, there wasnt much laughter from the boys. Prior games were all taken very seriously but this time, it was different. There were jokes, laughters, talk about taking this game easy and going out to enjoy it. I think what was missing all this while was the simple fact - JOY. For when one enjoys something, you will do it well. Enjoy the game. Enjoy the company of the team, enjoy the winning feeling.

On stepped the dark knight( minus his cape and his mask ) and he brought along the Joker, dressed in lime green who was on the other side of the grass. Kick off and soon, we were down 2-0. We were static everywhere but another good thing stood out was we could laugh it off, instead of seizing the chance to throw any objects at each other. The mood of enjoyment was there and soon, we fought back with an own goal from the Pastamanics. They probbaly slipped on the spagehettis and meatballs.

The pastamanics were qucik with their movements and passing and lots and lots of running. They seemed to have more than 11 players on the field but in actual fact, there is only 11. Down 3-1 at half time, we continued our journey to the finishing line, knowing nothing in this result will mean anything. Some good passing here and there and at the end of it, it was 6-1. To comment on the refereeing and the queer decisions is just like asking why is the orange, orange. Nothing will come out of it because nothing will actually be done about it. This is one transaction where the service level was poor and you have no customer service officers or any feedback form that you can fill to complain. Maybe they should learn from M1 or attend a GEMS training.

An inconsequential game, the scoreline didnt seem to matter much but we can draw from the 1 positive of this game - enjoyment. True, nobody enjoyed being outplayed and 'whacked' but most importantly, I think(being the blogger here, i get the privilage to write what i feel), we werent out there enoying the game. True, we want to win, everybody does but to want to win requires the winning mentality. Winning at all cost is not what we are out there looking for. We want to win but we want to do it with the pure enjoyment of our football.

Let's start enjoying what we do and came out to do - play football. Definintely, the seriouness needs to be there but only when you enjoy what you like to do, will you do it well. And when you do it well, you will see the rewards for that - when you enjoy the wanton mee, or nasi lemak or chicken wing, you willl feel totally satisfied. It doesnt matter if your hands are dirty, or you had stained your favourite shirt in the process, but you enjoyed it and you reap the rewards of such satisfaction.

For the upcoming MWS, let's enjoy our football. Let's have the winning mentality inside us and go out to enjoy the game.

If you find this hard to understand, my apologies because its definintely not easy writting a blog while at work, trying to ensure your boss does not see you doing no work related matters.

Monday, July 07, 2008

Soccer Fellowship [12th July]

Soccer Fellowship is ON this Saturday, 12th 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 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.

Wednesday, July 02, 2008

Soccer Fellowship Report [28th June]

The weather was hot and dry on the Saturday and we were back to East Spring Secondary School for the session. Our players were urged to drink more water to prevent a heat stroke or exhaustion. We also welcomed Zac, Deyi (Bangshi's friends?) and a Malay friend of Raymond. I apologise for not being able to recall his name.

After Uncle John opened the session with a prayer and a short bible study on the topic of encouraging one another, our 23 or 24 players were split into blue and white captained by Uncle Ronnie and Bangshi respectively.

The first half saw six goals being shared equally between the two sides. After about 15 min of controlled play by the two teams, the whites opened the account of the day with a simple tap-in by Rusydi. The blues' goalie Michael Chua made a pass to his own central back after receiving a back pass from Deyi but the pass was weak and it was easily intercepted by speedy Rusydi for the goal. However, Samuel Pang equalised for the blues inside the penalty box 10 minutes later with a well-placed right foot shot after he ran around a defender to receive a simple pass from the midfield. 1 - 1.

After that, four more goals came in at nearly regular interval for the remaining half. Rusydi was on the scoresheet again with a well-timed volley that nearly blasted a hole through the net before Justin equalised for the blues again with a fierce right-footed shot after running clear of the whites' hapless goalie Bryan. 2 - 2. Few minutes later, the blues found themselves leading the game for the first time through first-timer Deyi. This time again, with a fierce right-footed shot after a running wide to the right of the whites' box. However, the whites were not to be undermined as they finally equalised at the dying minutes of the first half through Daniel Low. After a few neat passes between Rusydi, Jingzhong, Zac and Sheldon outside the blues' box, Daniel received a pass on the left inside the box and unleashed a low-driver beyond a helpless Hongyi (exchanged position with Michael Chua) towards the far right end of the goal mouth. 3 -3 at half-time.

The second half saw a few players like Raymond's friend and whites' goalie Bryan leaving early so Michael Chua switched to the whites team to balance the number. 15 min into the second half, Chun Heng demonstrated his speed and dribbling skills while holding to the ball well. He drifted from the left side of the field to the center at the edge of the blues' box. Seeing the whites' goalie Michael covering his angle too far out of his line, Chun Heng delivered a shot high above his head before it spun downwards towards the right corner of the net. The blues lead the game for the second time.

After calming down, the whites gathered momentum and launched attacks after attacks. The blues' lead was cancelled out by Jing Zhong 15 min later when he powered a shot from inside the blues' box at the middle after a clever pass from Rusydi and a fine run pass a defender. With 10 min of play left, Rusydi put his name on the scoresheet for the third and final time to give the white a final victory over the blues.

Final score 5 - 4.