An error from the organisers led us to reluctantly having to play a 3pm game at Naval Base Sec instead. It was a hot day and the papers verified it by stating that July was the hottest and driest month in a long time. We were fearing the worst when we spotted the opponents streaming in. Looking young, fit and technically competent, the consensus in the team was that it is going to a hard game. Colin also decided to choose today to bench our 3 renegades, narrowing his choice of the starting 11.
We took to the field and tried to give a fight. Obviously the weather didn’t help as we couldn’t move much and made so much mistakes. A cross from the right ricocheted off Ron and landed to their striker’s feet, who made no mistake to put them in the lead. As the temperature slowed us down tremendously, we resorted to our evergreen strategy of pumping the ball and hoping for the best. I can tell that it took a toll as many of us were just standing still instead of running for the ball. Or off the ball. In contrast, the opponents were creating space and making short, sharp passes to make the ball do the work. Their second goal came when a short clearance off a corner landed to their left back. He swung it, took a slight deflection off Yew Boon, then a major deflection on me which left Sherman with no chance. About time we introduced Max into the game. While he was in the midst of action, he couldn’t do much on his own. Yiong then took a pass in the middle, waited for Colin to make his run, sent it into the hole for Colin. Colin took it past the keeper and somehow managed to toe poke it into goal. He couldn’t believe it actually went in as he fell to the ground in embarrassment. The opponents then scored another goal from long range when a thunderbolt went past both SK and Sherman. Half time came and it gave us big respite from the heat. 3-1 down.
Mixing the lot a bit to give each of us some game time, Colin decided to play Patrick upfront. He huffed and puffed but couldn’t deal much damage. Max was causing panic in the opponents half and he got us a free kick on the right. I took it and sent a high ball into the box. 3 of us were rushing in, Kenny, Colin and Pikachu. Guess who reached it? Colin did. With his hands. Surprisingly, the referee gave a goal. At this time, the heat and the opponents niggling tackles were getting to us. Hard tackles went about and the referee couldn’t handle the reactions. Name calling ensued and this really spoilt the game. In the meantime, the opponents scored another 2 goals. One, off a direct free kick, which I got no idea why and how it went to the side where Sherman was supposed to be. The wall was supposed to be blocking one side and he was supposed to be the other side. But it went straight through. As we were launching our attacks, we lost the ball and their arrogant POS striker went through and squared it on a plate for them to score their 5th. Back to the part about the lousy attitude and tackles. Colin decided to take matters into his own hand and gave them back with a lovely swing of his right boot. He didn’t injure anyone but got himself a red card. Things certainly were heating up and we gave them as much as they gave. We had a new term for this. Treat them please. In the last few minutes, we got another free kick on the left. I stood on the ball and the referee gave me the eye, I ignored him and shot. It took the keeper by surprise and while he got his hands to it, he couldn’t stop it. Finally, the game ended 5-3 to them.
We lost to a better team for sure. In the heat, we also suffered. Losing is fine but the arrogance and attitude of the opponents certainly made it worse. I like to stress one thing. Tackles are part of the game. Take it in your stride, shout for the foul but don’t kick up a big fuss and draw attention to yourself. You have to wait for the right moment to give it back and when the time/opportunity comes, GIVE IT YOUR ALL. Obviously, I am not encouraging us to be dirty players but football is a contact sport and we should be able to give and take. Good effort from everyone today and it is heartening to see all of us banding together in one spirit to protect one another. That’s what a team is about. We lost the game today, but we didn’t lose our integrity and respect.
