Mud Bath

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 with the same model of boots – WHITE! You guys really take WHITE so seriously!

While discussing tactics and formation, Raphael was caught eavesdropping. We tried very hard to chase him away, but some people are just too thick-skin.

Rain or shine, the referee blew for KO at 5.15pm. Hey! Don’t worry about the mud; it’s good for your complexion (according to Alvin Ong). Standing at the “mos pit” area, Father Patrick was complaining that Junior and I blocked his view. We signed the indemnity forms to stand at the mos pit, rebutted Junior. And Father Patrick was rendered speechless.

Just five minute into the game, U.N.C.L.E. sent his clearance to Raphael! U.N.C.L.E. WAKE UP!

If Wenchong had brought the wrong kit, he was soon forgiven. He covered the entire pitch (couldn’t say “every blade of grass” as part of the pitch botak) in just ten minutes. Just as the boys started to get warmed up, the RED team’s leftback requested to be sub. Reason – his boot spoilt.

The minutes ticked by. It was hard to score on this heavy pitch. Still Rongming took the advice of mud bath good for his complexion and went on a one-to-one with the keeper in the 18th minute. Though he did send the ball home, the whistle had already gone for foul.

Two minutes later, Alvin made a timely clearance off the line, as Daniel was already beaten. Chin was trying to play the off-side trap, as our defence consisted of Alvin, Chin, U.N.C.L.E. and one other guy. But U.N.C.L.E. kept running to play the opponents on-side! Sigh!

Father Patrick was clearly biased. He shouted off-side when the Red team was clearly on-side. Somebody commented that Patrick cannot be linesman, can only be FATHER! Hahaha!!

On the 23rd minutes mark, Algene won a free-kick just outside the penalty box. Wenchong decided to go for glory, but his shot was saved by the keeper.

Our engine room was made up by Bryan Wong, Alan Tern, Wenchong and Algene. Alan was twisting and turning his way at the far end of the field, playing his heart out despite carrying a foot injury. According to reliable sources, his feet had been itching to play for the longest time. Together with Bryan, they tried to keep Raphael out of the game. But this Liverpool fan has a decoy – Vicnese. A long ball forward from Raphael, and Vicnese put the ball beyond’s Daniel’s reach in the 40th minute, And for the next five minutes, Alvin never let Vicnese out of his sight.

When our backline finally got the off-side trap correctly, Alvin heaved a good free-kick forward, but the end result wasn’t good as we trailed by one goal at half-time.

At half-time, we could see Peter rushing onto the shelter walkway. He was eager to play a part as we staged our comeback. He only knew his boots were in his car, and was not even sure if he had a change of clothes. Turning around, Raphael was once again caught in the “enemy’s” camp! But nobody paid any attention this time.

Second-half saw Peter, Simon, Andy and Chris Ang, replacing Alvin, U.N.C.L.E., Bryan and Chin. This die-hard Liverpool fan suffered a cut to his left knee. It was truly a game of blood and sweat, AND MUD. Having settled the substitution, Wenchong came up with the quote of the day – don’t worry, we are better than Laos!

Five minutes after the break, Wenchong delivered a shot into Raphael’s tummy and he went squatting down. Everyone thought he had injured his crown jewels and someone even commented “I can imagine his pain!”

With our backline yet to stabilise, the Red team extended their lead within ten minutes after the restart. Down but not out, Rongming pulled one back in the 14th minute amid the chaos in the penalty box. The next minute saw Raphael trying to chip Daniel, who was equalled to the task. What Daniel did, the opponents’ keeper could not. There was no stopping Peter from sending home the equaliser in the 16th minute.

Five minutes later, Wenchong’s bad tackle on the Red team had the player flat on the ground and the referee had no choice but to show him the yellow card. The rest of us were worried that things would get out of hand. U.N.C.L.E. and Alvin suggested taking Wenchong out. But there were no one to replace him. We just had to keep our fingers crossed.

With our focus back on play, Rongming went on a solo run down the left, beat four defenders and lifted the ball over the keeper. For the first time in this game we were in the lead.

With the referee bend on blowing at Wenchong’s every tackle, Alvin had to go in for Wenchong with Chin out and U.N.C.L.E. punctured. But instead of replacing Wenchong, he replaced someone else. But his first words for him were, “Wenchong, calm down!” Yet, Alvin himself was given the yellow for shirt-pulling, with two minutes remaining.

A timely clearance by Chris Ang just before the final whistle saw us retaining our two games, two victories record. Let’s see how we perform this coming Sunday. Btw, Daniel, you’ve got a fan! And dear readers, guess who's this??