The Name of the Game??

It has been an age-old rule that players should warm-up first before each KO. But Raphael was the only one who adhered to it. Others just did a couple of stretches and relax to one corner. In what was the biggest turnout to date at The Cage, there has to be some adjustments to existing rules. There was simply no way to fit 18 players inside, with 9 on each side. Instead of playing it in league style with win, draw or lose, the games played became similar to a knock-out tournament. Divided into three teams with six players each, the team who conceded the first goal exit and let the other team take over. In the players’ own term, the RULE was “First Goal Out”. Naturally, the first 12 players who went into the Cage started first. A writer from CEP (sorrie, not good at remembering names), U.N.C.L.E., Wenchong, Alvin, Ahmad and Raphael (Team 1) played against Weiming, Daniel, Chris, Yaohan, Kelvin and Chin (Team 2). Team 3 was made up of Simon, Melvin, Rongming, GK, Patrick and Jusri. Befor

Near side team: U.N.C.L.E., Alvin, Ahmad Fakhry, Kelvin Tham, Wenchong and GK Far side team: Daniel, Simon, Chris, Peter, Rongming Kelvin Tham and Ahmad Fakhry made their debut at The Cage today, as three regulars did not pass the late fitness test for KO tonight. Casualties include Remesh, Johnni and Chin. Peter played with an ankle injury, as he limped into the Cage. He played was the last man at the far end. At 2010hr, Simon opened the account, scoring the first goal against GK. Simon was really getting into the game, with better techniques and touches. Junior commented at one point of the game that debutant Kelvin Tham played like Simon when he first started. Another debutant tonight, Ahmad, was being bullied by the regulars. Everyone targeted their “oi!” at him. Well, he CANNOT play badly as he’s the spokesperson for NIKE. Sorry dude! Three minutes later, Rongming sent his shot straight at the keeper. Chris too, missed the target despite a gapping goal moments later. And our Nike

It all started when Johnni requested Raphael for an eleven-a-side game on 9th January after the weekly session at The Cage. Alvin said he could get his team and the "signing" of players started once again. The notice was sent out, we KO at 5pm at Nanyang JC. Five days before the game, Alvin came back with the unfavourable answer – he couldn’t get his team. Given the short turnaround time, Raphael activated his team and started to scramble for players on his side. It was Friday when we finally confirmed the number of players for both teams. More bad news followed the next day. Due to the rainy season, the pitch at Nanyang JC couldn’t be use. Now, it was a last minute rush to search for a field. Alas! Rongming managed to get the pitch at Braddell-West Lake Secondary School. Though the condition of the pitch was lousy, Raphael and I decided to go on with the game. Sunday morning greeted us with players calling in sick. I had one sms that said he failed a late fitness test as his

With the rain coming down on us everyday, the pitch was muddy beyond words. The goalkeeper’s area at the far end had a puddle of water. As the players strolled in, many began to shake their heads. How to play on this pitch? Despite the poor confirmed attendance of the players, things started to look up as Alan Tern arrived, and Bryan Wong’s appearance. Father Patrick brought his friend to cover for him as he was suffering from back injury. Steven Ong, suffering from flu, brought his whole family to lend support. The turnout at Raphael’s side was surprisingly good too! After his tongue lashing I assumed. Alan Tern turned up with bright NEW yellow boots! Wenchong was the BEST! From his bag, out came his RED jersey, RED boots and RED socks! You playing for us or Raphael’s team? In the end, he had to borrow someone’s white top! Chin brought his new pair of WHITE boots. In the end, he chose to put on his old pair of boots, though they weren’t exactly fitting. Chris Ang and Simon turned up w

Near side lineup: Eugene (GK), Raphael, Rongming, Alvin, Peter, Patrick, Jiaming Far side lineup: “GK”, Chin, Remesh, Johnni, Daniel, Algene, Simon The boys get to KO slightly earlier than the scheduled 8pm as the group playing before them has got no energy left. They started off with 5-a-side, as Patrick, Simon, Jiaming and Algene arrived on the dot or few minutes past the KO time. Just six minutes into the game, U.N.C.L.E. almost let in the first goal, leaving the goal-mouth as he came off his line. But there was no stopping the opening goal, via the combination of Raphael and Rongming (2Rs). 1-nil, and the three players outside joined the fray for 7-a-side. While I was still tracking who’s in whose team, it was 2-nil. How frustrating!! The presence of the in-form GK at goal, the 2Rs have to conjure up some tricks to score. Raphael’s attempt in the 17th minute was blocked. Not giving up, Raphael made it 3-nil three minutes later. But at the other end, U.N.C.L.E. let in a thunderous g

Chin has gotten a new ball for The Cage in the New Year, and Alvin has been telling me how he has scored five, six goals with the new ball. He was so looking forward to this outing that he wore his soccer socks the whole day and even showed them to me during this morning’s meeting. It was bright yellow, and Glyn bought them for him. As he was rushing to The Cage, he had to change while driving, and according to him, at the traffic lights. I don't want to know the details. Woof! Another player who has been looking forward to this game was Raphael. He saw U.N.C.L.E. warming up as he drove past and was quick to join U.N.C.L.E. While U.N.C.L.E. was the first player to reach, Raphael displayed his yearning to play explicitly, going for the same ball with Daniel that resulted in him slipping. Sigh… cannot wait huh? To challenge for the Most On player award for the night, Alvin revealed that he was changing as he drove to The Cage. Aiyoh, I think both of you can share tonight’s award for