Soccer Fellowship Report (24th August)

Unlike the gloomy weather of last week, it was a scorching afternoon at Hai Sing Catholic School. At about 3.30pm, we had about 12 players and Jacob started the devotion on the topic of being a good worker. Apostle Paul defines a good worker as "one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the Word of truth" in 2 Timothy 2:15.

It was the Whites VS Other colours on half a soccer field with small goalposts. The game in the first half was much more open as players from both sides looked to exploit spaces in the wide areas. Counter-attacks were seen on numerous occasions but both sides lack the lethal finish up front. First half ended with 2-2.

After the break, the Whites chose an ultra-defensive approach by stationing almost all of their players around their own box. The Other colours had to keep exchanging short passes in front of the opponents' box in an attempt to break the defensive shell. However, on most occasions, the shots by the Other colours were either blocked by the over-crowded wall or saved by the goalie. The approach adopted by the Whites was indeed effective and eventually, the second half ended with 3-3.

Those players involved in the upcoming SoccerTron stayed on the pitch awhile more to practise their shootings and then Jacob closed us in prayer.

 Jacob sharing devotions

 3 types of stretches for warm-up

Soccer Fellowship (24th August)

Soccer Fellowship is on this Saturday, 24th August 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. 

Soccer Fellowship Report (17th August)

Dark skies, rain, lightning and thunder threatened to end this Soccer Fellowship session before it even started. About 12 players had gathered by about 315pm only to be told by the field warden that we couldn't play until 345pm, and only if the skies had cleared. We sat under shelter and waited patiently, even as more players arrived, most of them friends of Yi Jun and Weijie. At 340pm, Kevin started devotions, which focused on resting in God when we are tired. When Kevin ended the devotions in prayer, asking for good weather, the rain miraculously stopped, allowing the players to head to the field for an enjoyable time of Soccer Fellowship.

Playing under dark skies and on soft ground 

Weijie got his wish for some soccer action 

Waiting patiently for the skies to clear

The players were split into 2 teams of 8 each, using half the field and small posts. The players in blue took on the players in other colours and the tempo of the game was high throughout the 70min of play. Although the blues enjoyed most of the possession early on, it was the other team that capitalised on defensive mistakes and good counter-attacks to go 3-0 up. It took a while for the blues to get on the scoresheet, but they trailed for the whole match, coming closest perhaps at 7-4. By the time the session ended, about 18 players were on the field and it was a good workout for everyone. More importantly, God was good in allowing Soccer Fellowship to carry on despite gloomy skies.

Soccer Fellowship (17th August)

Soccer Fellowship is on this Saturday, 17th August 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. 

SOCCER FELLOWSHIP REPORT (3RD AUGUST)

"If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me" from Luke 9:23. This was the verse mentioned in the devotion that day before we start the soccer fellowship. I was sharing with everyone about Miserable Success from the Daily Bread topic on June 28. Most people, including Christians like myself, tends to forget that we need to let go of our own desires in order to be true God followers. Hence the sharing to remind ourselves that we will fail or even succeed miserably when we lose focus on God and try to achieve something without truly having Him involved in our daily lives.

After the devotion, the players were grouped as either white or other colours to begin the fellowship game. In this session, we welcomed Edwin and Danial (brought by 'Uncle Danial') for joining us. We also have players like Jing Zhong (back from his Taiwan trip) and Isaac back to join us for a good-work. The weather was good but the field is not in ideal conditions due to the different type of soil that is present in the ground compared to other schools like Greenview Sec Sch. Nevertheless, our 11 players took to the field gamely and really enjoyed themselves in a soccer game. The score was already like...5-3?...to the non-white team by the end of the first half of the session. Imagine the goal-scoring opportunities which both sides have had. In the second half of the session, both teams started in very similar fashion as they did in the first half. I left by 4.30pm so I would not have known the final score but that does not really matter. I am quite sure all of them enjoyed the session very much. I attached some photos of our players in actions so hope you enjoy them!

Bye for now......and God bless all!

Soccer Fellowship (3rd August)

Soccer Fellowship is on this Saturday, 3rd August 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 #8 Report: PMC vs BENS (28th July)

It didn't seem so long ago that the PMC Soccer Team started their season at Anderson Secondary School. On that day, a tough match against NCC ended in a 1-0 defeat and started PMC's worst run of win-less matches. 15 players arrived at Anderson Secondary to ensure that streak did not enter into its 8th match, determined to finish the league season on a winning note. 

As the home team, PMC started off the session with 2 songs and a message by Jeremy Sin, sharing about how faith in God can change our lives.

 Jeremy Sin sharing the Christian message to both teams

The PMC team united in purpose before kick-off

The PMC team stuck to its tried and tested formula of 4-2-3-1 in the following line-up:

Jeremy Tan

Kevin - Steve - Yi Jun

Kee Min - Jacob

Damien - Jeremy Sin - Daniel Low

Weijie

David Lim

For the first 20min of the 1st half, PMC clearly was the better side, having almost all of the possession and keeping the ball in BENS' half for the 1st goal. However, most attempts to threaten BENS did not even result in a shot on target. Many balls were pumped forward to Jeremy Tan to chase, but these were either cleared by the defence or Jeremy Tan fouled the defender while trying to win the ball. There were half chances here and there, but largely the final ball in the box was disappointed, leaving nothing much for the forward players to latch onto. The most positive move was a long throw in the box to Jacob, who pulled the defence apart and laid off a back heel to Kee Min which was just slightly too long for him to make a serious attempt on goal. PMC was thus, almost sucker-punched, not once, not twice, but 3 times when BENS allowed 3 golden opportunities to pass them by. First, a BENS corner found its way straight to the head of their on-rushing CB, but he headed the ball way over the bar without anyone challenging him for the ball. The next 2 were in some ways courtesy of the referees decision to play advantage to the attacking player. 2 long balls found BENS forwards beating PMC's offside line, and with the defence completely rooted, it was David Lim who saved the team twice in one-on-one situations with reflex saves. It was thus quite a relief when the referee blew for half-time at 0-0. PMC knew that they had not converted their possession into goals and were fortunate to not be 2 goals down at the half.

The half-time team talk focused the team on playing the game, and to the call of the referee, instead of being frustrated by inaccurate decisions and stopping play unnecessarily. With that in mind, and encouragement to put more balls into the box, the PMC team went back onto the field with only 1 change - Jeremy Tan coming off, with Steve moving to CF, Kee Min to AM and Samuel coming on as DM. Kevin and Damien also swapped roles to keep things fresh on the left flank.

The changes seem to work in PMC's favour as from the kick-off, it was PMC that threatened again, with most of the possession. It took a corner kick to threaten BENS firmly and another one to finally break the deadlock in PMC's favour. Damien's first in-swinging curler beat the entire BENS defence and landed right on Steve's head, only for him to head it high above the bar, just as the BENS player did in the 1st half. Damien's 2nd corner finally did it, when Yi Jun guided the ball expertly into the top of the net with his head, to put PMC up 1-0 and looking good for the win. Of course, BENS did not sit back, but continued to threaten. PMC continued to change things up, with Jeremy Sin and Jacob swapping roles, and Kevin/Damien inter-changing on the left flank. PMC also brought on Daniel Chen for Steve, with Yi Jun moving to CF. With his first touch of the ball, Daniel Chen showed his technique by delivering an accurate cross into the box for Yi Jun to almost latch on to. PMC's 3rd substitution was Joel coming on for Yi Jun, who had a good game. Joel and Kee Min continued to press for the 2nd goal to put the match away. This finally came when Daniel Low delivered a nice cross on the right. With only the GK to beat, both Kee Min and Joel got initial shots saved before Joel got the decisive touch to send the ball into the net. With the score at 2-0, PMC was breathing slightly easier, allowing Michael to come on for Damien, and head between the sticks, giving David Lim some time at LM. PMC tried to keep-ball for the rest of the match, and was also stout in defending as BENS threw everything they had at the PMC goal. It was a rewarding feeling when the referee blew for full-time, giving victory to PMC. 

It was congratulations all around during the post-match team talk and Samuel closed in prayer.

Soccer Fellowship Report (20 July 2013)

It was again a scorching Saturday afternoon as players gathered outside the field entrance to Greenview Secondary School but only to find the gate still being locked at around 3pm. David Lim assisted to call the field coordinator and was informed that the field warden was mixed up with his schedule and would be 30mins late. Hence, we did our devotion outside the field after we welcome 4-5 new friends.

Jacob shared on the parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:25-37. He encouraged all to show the true knowledge by exercising what we know/understand, but not like the law expert in the story who knows the Law very well but fails to treat everybody as his "neighbour".

We had around 20 players at start, so we began the play with the Whites against Other Colours. The Other Colours started the game brightly as they looked to threaten the opponent with both flanks. It was no surprise for the Other Colours to take the lead when Sheldon received the ball at the centre and gave a powerful volley into the net. Soon after, Cheng Qian also added a goal from the right. Clearly, Sheldon wanted to prove to us the reason he chose to wear the David Villa No.7 Barca jersey by completing his hat-trick! The Whites started the fightback by pouring more players forward. Andrew grabbed a goal back for the Whites after rounding the goalkeeper on an 1-on-1 occasion and Kevin also added his name to the scoresheet. Just before the break, our PMC soccer prodigy Issac also scored for the Other Colours after receiving a comfortable cross from the right. The first half ended with the Other Colours 5 : 2 the Whites.

As 6 players left during the break, we changed to using half field with 7 vs 7. As the play was restricted by space, both teams played with more short passing. Cheng Qian started the scoring  for the Other Colours and Kee Min also found the net with a clinical finish from a quick counter-attack. Keith also added to the scoreline by scoring a brace. However, the Whites fought back brilliantly again with a goal from Andrew and David Lim scored a brace, with Kevin being the architect providing the through passes to their pacy forward. The 2nd half ended soon after Jacob scored another goal for the Other Colours, and the 2nd half scoreline was the Other Colours 5 : 3 the Whites.

John closed us in prayer.

Soccer Fellowship (20th July)

Soccer Fellowship is on this Saturday, 20th July at Greenview Secondary School* (yes, the one in Pasir Ris). 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 Greenview Secondary School is 15 Pasir Ris Street 21.

CRC2013 Match #7 Report: PMC vs COA (14th July)

The PMC Soccer Team returned to Bendemeer Secondary for their 7th match of the season, still looking for their first win, especially without any pressure of having to qualify for the knock-out stage of the tournament. The weather was perfect, overcast with a slight drizzle. The team had been depleted due to a few last minute withdrawals, but by-and-large had enough players to put up a good fight regardless of opponents. COA got the proceedings underway with S&S. Afterwhich, the team had their team talk and lined up in the following manner:

Yi Jun

Jingzhong - Rusydi - Justin

Isaiah - Jacob

Samuel - Mark - Daniel Low

Jeremy Sin

David Lim

The action was fast and furious in the first half, with both sides playing an open passing game. PMC moved the ball quickly on the ground, with the pace of Jingzhong, Yi Jun and Rusydi threatening up front. COA matched that and had the added touch of class with some diagonal balls finding their left winger on more than one occasion. The first clear chance of the match actually fell to PMC, when a series of passes fell to Jingzhong. With only the GK to beat, Jingzhong was unable to squeeze his shot past the GK, who saved with his feet. COA immediately countered and scored their first goal, with a deflected shot finding their winger running from deep, with our defence flat-footed. He gave David no chance and make it 1-0 to COA. However, from a move at the re-start, PMC found itself on level terms. Rusydi and Jingzhong worked together to craft an opening which Jingzhong put away clinically.  The 2 goals set the tone for the rest of the 1st half, as it was end to end stuff. COA continued to exploit Samuel's inexperience, with most of their attacks coming from their right wing. COA's 2nd goal came with the PMC defence flat-footed again. From a long ball to the left wing, COA's winger ran from deep to meet the ball ahead of the onrushing David to prod it into the empty net. Again, PMC responded emphatically, this time through a move from the middle. Jacob took the ball past the COA defence and his shot was saved by the GK, only to have the alert Yi Jun stab it back into goal. With still 20min to play in the first half, 4 goals had already been scored in the match. The final goal of the half however, came from COA. Again, a long ball from deep found a COA player with acres of space, Samuel again having backed off to much. With a body feint and quick feet, the COA player was able to take the ball into the box and fire it past David to make it 3-2 to COA. Tried as PMC did, they were not able to equalise before the half-time whistle. 

 Mark keeping close watch on COA's Jeric

 Rusydi giving Samuel some on-field advice

 Jingzhong helps out on defence against COA's dangerous right winger

The half-time team talk focused on keeping all players in the game mentality, as there was still all to play for with only 1 goal separating the teams. 2 substitutions were made to keep things fresh, with Steve replacing Yi Jun up front and Weijie replacing Justin, with Rusydi moving to RM. These changes allowed the PMC team to continue to press for an equaliser in the early minutes of the 2nd half, but Weijie's over-enthusiasm earned him a booking when he tried to take out a COA player off-the-ball. The equaliser did come within 10min of the 2nd half. Isaiah's accurate ball from deep (ala Xabi Alonso) found Steve in acres of space on the right. Steve's low cross eluded the defence and GK, and gave Jingzhong an easy tap-in to make it 3-3. At the 55th minute, Lincoln came on for Rusydi, who had put on an excellent shift despite being on fast. The intention was to continue to press for the winner, but instead, it was COA who took the lead again at about the 60th minute. The COA forward was able to break the offside trap and find himself in a one-on-one situation with David and made no mistake to bring the score to 4-3. With 20 or so minutes left, Kevin came on to replace Samuel, with Isaiah moving to Stopper and Jeremy Sin to LB. There were some good moves to press for the goal, most notably with Jingzhong finding himself in space but his attempted cross to Weijie was blocked by a defender. Again, COA struck through a counter-attack which caused Daniel no choice but to throw himself at the ball. Unfortunately, the ball came off his arm, awarding COA a direct free-kick which was taken rather quickly and the ball found its way into the PMC net for the 5th time. With only minutes remaining, PMC's valiant effort to find the goals was unproductive and the match ended at 5-3. Despite some frustration, there was still a deeper sense of togetherness amongst most of the team and Jacob closed the session in prayer.

 Master dribbler Rusydi taking the ball forward in the 2nd half

Jacob giving 100% in the challenge