Debut on Blue Pitch

Our boys made their debut on the blue pitch. It took some time for them to settle down to play on this new turf. Moreover, they were playing with the blue ball. The Media Team thought that was stupid until we realised that the new ball “lau hong”. So, blue ball on blue pitch.

Only nine players turned up. It was four against five. Admond went back to his place between the sticks, and Bryan Wong arrived twenty minutes later. At the other end, Alan Tern was playing keeper cum referee. Calling out fouls and dishing out cards.

With plenty of space and more work to be done, players took turns at goal on our side. When Chin kept goal, he was brilliant – much better as a keeper than a player – and insisted Rongming keep out of the goalkeeper’s area. But there was no chance for him to keep out Peter’s goal - a powerful shot from an acute angle.

Determined to prove critics wrong, U.N.C.L.E. came out of his corner, with his new blue hair (another blue), added variations to his play and scored a scorcher! Well done!

We finally established the gender of the blue ball. It’s A GIRL! Somehow or other, “she” escaped from The Cage and went into the Ladies!. Sorry guys! Nature call!.

With plenty of space, the level of fitness and stamina of the players began to show. Those who had skills like Rongming, Wenchong, Raphael, and Peter turned the game into their exhibition match. U.N.C.L.E. took it in his stride with his new-found form and flipped home a long-range effort that had everyone applauding. It was definitely “Goal of the Year”. Even his keeper was stunned speechless. He lobbed the ball into the back of his own net. To quote Wenchong, “Only you and England can score this kind of goal”.

U.N.C.L.E.’s dynamic duo up front (Raphael and Bryan) just couldn’t stop scoring. The opposite team didn’t turn whipping boys thanks to Admond’s brilliance in front of goal. Raphael soon took his place in between the sticks. But his keeper has got “patterns more than badminton”, coming off his line to allow Wenchong to bag an open goal. Then again, this could be his tactic. Let others run out of steam first and then run them down in the last ten minutes. This was exactly what he did, notching some spectacular goals towards the hour mark.

Perhaps it was really Hari Ray Special. The time added on by the fourth official was almost up to fifteen minutes. In the end, the “real” referee didn’t have to come and blow for full-time. They players themselves surrendered. They have played for 75 minutes. They are now ready for the challenge of a full 90 minute match. Date: 5 Nov, Time: 5pm. How will the boys perform? Watch this space!

Sr & Jr plus Sailor Girl