Feb 2007, the Urbanites enter an unfamiliar ground for the first time, not all of the team were present, I grabbed a couple of feisty if not skilled friends to fill in for some who were still away overseas on holiday. Only the captain, Sun Yu(hereafter as Sunny) and I played the rest of the season.
We started well, almost 4 attempts on goal in matter of minutes, the captain broke the deadlock, I think it was my assist but can't be sure. More opportunities came our way, more and more rules were infringed, since we were only just getting used to this pacey, close quarter, furious style of play. We ended up regretting not taking our chances, 4-2 to the opposition. Unfit. Unsatisfied. We wondered whether we'll build up some form.
Wk 2, the rest of the team is back, a total restructure of the team. For so many of its new permanent members, the constant chirping of the whistle, the smell of perspiration on tired men and the nauseating glare of the flourescent floodlights was a first-time experience. Too much to bare. We fought but were in vain, we asked questions but were not answered. Too inexperienced. Still unfit.
The rest of the season saw some consistent improvement but to compete with these other team's 'so called' seasoned veterans we stood no chance. A victory against the top team sparked hope, but lack of unity and understanding remain the key problems. An injury to the keeper's wrist caused an absence of our imposing figure for almost 4 wks.
Finally broke the duck during the 4th last game, scored a vital goal that sealed us victory, scored 3 more times in the next 3 games and some satisfying assists gave me some faith for a better Sem 2 season. Though Derek will now go back to Singapore, the keeper role...hmm, will need to be filled. The team is bonding, Alvin and I can get on the same wavelength much more often, Sunny's switch to defence saw a little spice added to our orthodox halfback-which at the time was me. Goals were coming more often, the opposition were always having to fight to get their goal... ...we did well. Especially since two of our members never played soccer prior to this.
(Photo from left to right: Me, Tim, Jason, Brian, Alvin (c), Sunny, sitting Keeper Derek)
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