Golden Boot Award Winner

The traffic jam on PIE almost kept me away from this week’s outing – the last game for the Year of Dog. Kelvin told me to change into my shoes and shorts until Biao Shu Shu arrived. I looked around. Some of the regular players were not here. With the arrival of Remesh, the numbers were just enough for four-a-side.

Inside the Cage, it took a long time before the two teams can be formed. Daniel kept goal and in his team were Alvin, Ahmad and Shih Chuan. U.N.C.L.E. took his place in between the sticks at the near end, and with him were Remesh, Jusri and Kelvin.

As the teams KO, the music ringing through was Liverpool’s theme song, You’ll Never Walk Alone, and the next piece sounded like Champions League theme song. Such were the songs the boys played to in the first ten minutes, and Alvin bagged the first goal of the night.

Ian entered the Cage and joined U.N.C.L.E.’s team. His first piece of action was forcing Daniel to a splendid save. But Remesh showed him how it should be done when he sent home the equaliser in the 13th minute, and placed his team in the driving seat with another three minutes later.

At the other end of the pitch, U.N.C.L.E. was trying to tie his shoelace while keeping goal at the same time. U.N.C.L.E., multi-task huh?? Then I heard someone shouted 3-1. Who score?

Raphael arrived in the 20th minute just as Alvin narrowed the scoreline to 3-2. I told him that he just needed to score against U.N.C.L.E.’s team. Daniel’s team was trailing 3-2. Alvin. Three minutes later, he delivered the killer goal that brought his side back on levelled terms.

In the 25th minute, Raphael turned and volleyed. His first attempt failed to find the target, but his second did. The lead was short-lived as U.N.C.L.E. bagged the equaliser two minutes later.

There was no stopping Raphael from his hat-trick as he took the score to 5-4 just before the half-hour mark, and U.N.C.L.E. once again score the equaliser in the 31st minute.

It was Biao Shu Shu’s curtain call when Alvin took the score to 6-4 two minutes later. But Raphael was determined to hog the limelight, though his attempt at goal was well-anticipated by Jusri.

Our debutant then tried his luck at goal. Better luck next time, Biao Shu Shu!

With more options around, Alvin and Raphael played their passing game. But this Manu fan and Liverpool fan combination failed to find the target. At the other end, Remesh too, failed to beat Shih Chuan who tipped over his attempt.

Ian was playing as last man with 20 minutes remaining. Jusri had to repeat himself five times “Give Me the ball!” before Ian realised that Jusri was the keeper. This keeper could not stop Raphael from scoring his fourth in the 43rd minute.

Chin arrived and decided to play even though there was only 13 minutes remaining. His appearance was Remesh’s cue to score, bringing the score to 7-6.

Biao Shu shu then decide that he should be the last man and played in front of Jusri. But he totally ignore Jusri’ presence as goalie and took the goal-kick himself. Hahahaha!

With ten minutes remaining, Chin scored his first for 8-6. He then combined with his “manager” Raphael to bag his hat-trick in a span of three minutes. Chin’s fourth attempt at goal forced Ian into a diving clearance, and Raphael was there to send the rebound home.

Five minutes later, Raphael got his 6th goal of the night. My Golden Boot Award goes to you. You appear only, I very busy. I still could call Biao Shu Shu and sent sms before you came.

U.N.C.L.E. did score his hat-trick, with a minute remaining while Chin got his fourth seconds later. But none could be Jusri, who scored the last goal for 13-8, just before the full-time whistle.

Btw, Biao Shu Shu. What hair gel you use? Your hair looked the same before and after you played football. The photo was taken after the game.