Dutch Ball Breakers

Thumped 5-2 by our arch nemesis - Shuuto. It all started off awry as some daylight savings confusion saw only Dave and meself there on time, with Henry and Quoc hurrying on in the 2nd minute to start off undermanned at 1-0 (late penalty). We held strong with 4 players not letting them get through. However a long range goal just before halftime put them 2-0 up. The second half saw it roll downhill. A lack of discipline, strategy, smart play and overall stamina (on my part at least!) saw them pump through another 3 goals, all from counterattacks as aptly pointed out by Quoc. It was like trying to run through a brick wall. We needed to pass back and draw out bricks from the brick wall (i'm not calling Shuuto bricks now...) so as to penetrate a bit easier.

Our 2 goals came from Dave and Quoc, and were on the craziest angles imagineable. The goals came down to pure individual skill, and while a game boosting effort, we shouldn't be relying on that to get us through.

Derek was making some good points from goals, ie me standing too deep back in defence. Need to run around to create some opportunities. However, a lack of fitness just puts you so out of it, losing the desire (and ability!) to run into space and make plays. This is where our two subs come in handy, none of whom were present today.

So things to remember:
- Derek has best view of whole pitch, listen to what he's saying.
- Be the cheese. Draw the rats out rather trying to run right through them.
- Make sure you know what time the game is, try getting there 10 minutes early at the latest.
- Make sure you know what time it is period.

Next week early game, 2.40pm I think. Asian Ronaldo will be there.
ps. So I get changed after the game and come out, Henry goes "where the f$!* were you!?"...thought I missed the game and just rocked up...lost c*&^!!!!

Looks like we've moved up to div 1 boys, along with Underdogs. ACU has dropped to div 2. Shuuto is still in div 2 aswell!
Guess it's time to pump it up a notch, and return to our normal game. Div 1 is where we were meant to be :D

3, 2, 1, ignition. We came up against Helen's Hell Raisers (or Razers? clarification required!), who were thought to be of the type 'noob'. However when they came on field we saw one of the old refs (a guy that we didn't really like if I can remember) and Heng stated that we were boned. Add to this the recruitment of master curry Gaj to fill in for one of their missing players just had us laughing (to hide the tears no doubt).

After the kickoff it seemed that yes, they were alright, but we were managing to hold them off. Gaj was tightly blocked, and coupled with the fact that he was screwed with shin aches after playing one too many games, he could not get through our D. Simon opened up with a trademark shot which saw us lead. Some miscommunication then saw them equalise, well Heng equalise for them from a very unfortunate deflection. Not sure what happened next but Simon pounded another one in from a masterful cross by Heng, and then Heng too followed up for a goal to put us 3-1 up. Second half Gaj started doing some more shiznit that saw us dumbfounded, we had 3 on him and were confident of the block but he squeezed it through for a goal. One more got through somehow to see the score levelled at 3-3. It was a tough fight but we just could not get one through (their keeper did save quite a few).

Biggest problem once again, a lack of finishing. We had plenty more shots than them. I think the main thing that we're not getting right is shooting under pressure. I for one had some useless shots which skewed to the sides, and some off the bar (it looks good but don't count for shite at the end of the day :P). Simon can really crack 'em off quick smart, without much time to prep. Kind of like Bruce Lee's one inch punch. So I guess something we have to work on is the one inch kick. Less space, less time, power shot. Go work out those quads boys.

Something we've definitely improved on is looking up when in the corner, switching or going back to D as appropriate. We really did find some good holes in their D today. So good'o in that respect. The court coverage still lacking for some, ie. ME. Not running enough to give opportunities. Personally, I could have gone a bit harder and ended up more dead, but was just being a lazy !$#@. Gotta build the endurance somehow...work ain't helping.

See you all next week, 3.20pm to cain Shuuto. I also hear that Dave will be making an appearance =D.

p.s. I've forgotten what grammar is.

So this week we were up against newcomers to Sunday Div 2 (err I mean Sportsco Chadstone Div 2), Football Factory. After getting slightly anxious 5 minutes before the start as only I was present, the door suddenly opened and the whole team pretty much came through. *phew*

From the onset it was pretty clear that these guys weren't great, they had a few good runs and some limited ball skills. We dominated most of the game, and it was good to see some excellent slowing down of the game with some Real Madrid style triangular passing down the back. It was also good to see a lot of balls going back when we were held up against the nets on the side. Some great passing and teamwork saw holes appear in their defence allowing Simon Quoc and Henry to punch home some winners. Some lapse in defense saw them equalise almost instantly after our opening goal, but we got back on the horse pretty quick (Legolas style). Simon thumping them in from all over the place, along with Quoc's feather touch and a couple of nicely assisted balls to Henry allowing him to boot the crap out of it and not care where it went (it went in, twice I believe) saw the scoreline stretch out to a final result of 9-3. Special mention to Heng for making it early for next week's match at 8.40pm. So early that he managed to get half a half (a quarter, even?) on field this week :P. Good one man. See you guys next week at 8.40 in the pm.

Result: Win 9-3
Goals: Simon 4, Quoc 3 (1 mad free kick, again!), Henry 2
Man of the Match: Simon (running mad creating chances)
Mistaken Identity: Appu (i thought he was some brazilian sitting on the sidelines contemplating how crap we were...i gotta get my eyes checked)

ps. i can't remember all those emails addys, so post em in comments or something.

PPS. YOUR REGOS ARE DUE NEXT WEEK!!! And pay Heng for the hotel in Singapore from 2 years ago already...lol.

Okay here we go, it's back to it. After over 3 months of inactivity, I joined the boys for the first game of the new season. The 3 months off definitely showed. Injury wise everything pulled up okay on my behalf, bar a slight hamstring strain which disappeared quickly enough, but the worst of it was the fitness. What fitness? Exactly. Coming back straight into a game unprepared felt like getting punched in the stomach by Luca Brazi. With only one sub for the day it kinda' really hit hard.

Anyway Derek's friend Darren joined us for the game and it did pay off (we only had 6 with him). The *expletive deleted :P* usual late appearance of certain players had us grabbing some random dude standing there to play for the first few minutes. Good thing the difference in tops didn't cost us a point.

So in the first half they scored 2 against us with no reply, and damn their celebrations were rather irritating. Come second half however Heng and Darren were up front and managed to score 2 goals, one of them being a great assist from Heng to Darren. Quoc scored one past their wall and keeper from one of his famous free kicks. Some lackluster defending and too much emphasis on holding up the game saw the desperate Underdogs score their third, alas it was too late and we had won. Think about this though, if we had lost a point because of the difference in tops, then it would have been a different outcome. Conclusion: get your ass there early!!

Result: Win 4-3
Man of the Match: Heng (ass kicking in midfield)
Most unfit: Sanji (omgwtfbbq)
Company with most on field: Deloitte ;) (me n Darren...whatta plug)

ps. made some changes to the site...no reason for missing games or relying on Henry's MSN, the fixtures etc are on the side under LINKS :D