Dutch Ball Breakers

I saw Tim in the gym yesterday and he said he can't make it this Sunday.

So start looking for someone else!

The contest versus Plus 3 Greeks was built up as the showdown for top spot. With Scotch Titans pulverised the week before, it was time to see if we were the real deal or chumps. With Chops and Sanji out with soft tissue injuries, Derek on the sidelines with a hairline fracture and striker dynamo, Simon, off to the snow, this was a test above all tests. The last contest was an arduous struggle, with the DBB coming out on top playing the game of their lives. So to have half the team missing against the much taller and stronger bodies of Plus 3 Greeks was analogous to David versus Goliath.

Even with the return of super goalie Tim for this game, there was always a feeling of impending doom. The tight start and proper marking dissipated, as cracks began to appear in our defence. Fatigue hit in hard and it wasn't long before our lack of pressure on the ball caused the opposition to push up further and create 3 on 2 opportunities. The open man left Tim stranded most times and the opposition were up a few goals at the break.

The second half demarcated the start of the alarming decline, as the lack of subs really tested the stamina of our players. It was a matter of time before the more physical opposition began to muscle a little too easily for possession. Manning up disappeared and the runs up to score were non existent. We were holding a two edged sword with respect to stopping the bleeding resulting in no offensive pressure, and, pressing forward only to let goals to fly in from everywhere. Quoc deserves special mention for keeping his head under some tough workrate from our opposition, holding the ball well and having the nous for when to attack and when to sit tight.

But it was too hard a fight for one and even Heng's professional fouls couldn't stop the onslaught that followed in the second half. The game lost its sting when the contest was put well out of our grasp and the tempo of the game resembled something of a training drill for the opposition. The antics of their clown player and the final siren ended the meek resistance of a tough test. Forget Scotch Titans, Plus 3 Greeks are the team to beat this season.

Scoreline: 0-7
Goals: -
Best: Quoc

I've got a crapload of assignment marking to get out the way, so depending on progress I may or may not come down tomorrow (either way I can't play). It really sucks that we have a depleted squad for one of the toughest matches we'll face. Chops, Simon, D and me out, leaving Henry, Heng, Quoc, Dave right? And Tim in goals, but no subs. Damn, hope you guys kick some wog ass.

Due to technical difficulties, Derek asked me to post this on his behalf:

Sup guys... No, this isn't the weekly match report that you're all looking forward to.

As some of you may have noticed, after yesterday's game I was in a bit of pain and my right toe got owned. I'll paint the picture: - it was about halfway in the 2nd half
- ball was bouncing towards our goal
- i moved to the edge of the arc
(because they were getting owned so badly)
- eurasian punk from scotch titans charges for the ball
- he slips or whatever and ends up sliding towards me
- i collect the ball and his feet go thru my right foot
- me: ouch

Later on, the swelling got worse and the bruise got more colourful so I just limped n shit around the house. I put on some chinese miracle oil hoping that it was just a bad jar and that everything would be ok. Woke up in the morning and not much of a change, so it wasn't hard for me to make the judgement call and call in work sick. Took myself to the DR today to confirm or deny my amateur prognosis and also give me some tips on how to make it heal faster. After reading some outdated tabloid about Brad and Jen's bad breakup for like 5-10 minutes it was finally my turn.

I hopped into the consultation room with my crutches (I decided to hire some out because I never used crutches before and I thought they'd be cool -- they are not, they hurt your armpits). After about 3-4 seconds of looking at the bruised toe, the DR goes "you got a fracture". I just mouth the F word and shake my head and roll my eyes in disbelief. I ask him how does he know and he just replied with the word "experience". Not much I could say to that. Not that I really doubted him, even though I really really wanted to. (Chops and Sanji can relate to this). I can't really complain as this is nowhere near as bad as a knee reco, but this doesn't hide the fact that it sucks hard.

So yea, got an xray done. DR was right. ETA to play again: 4-6wks. I will miss the finals and grading for my taekwondo 2 stripe yellow belt. Start looking for a goalie now.

Good luck in the finals guys. It hurts to watch.

Light it up bitches...