Match Day 2

Opponent: HOMEWEST UNITED FC
Jersey Colors: Red / White / Red
Date: 1st May 11
Time: 0915hrs (Fall in @ 0830hrs)
Venue: Natural Grass @ Turf City Pitch 4
Probable Squad:

1. Zhong
2. Ethan
   
3. Eugene
4. Darren
   
5. Josh
6. Adib
7. Wx
   
8. Boon
9. Peng
10. St
11. Wak
12. JasonAng
13. Nathan

Josh please kindly bring jerseys of those who have not yet collected them for match this sunday

ESFC 1 - 2 Kebun Baru United

ESFC slumped to a disappointing 2-1 defeat against valiant Kebun Baru United, despite Peng's equalizer in the second half.

The team just didn't show up today. Not just literally, but we didn't play our usual game. Maybe we were too mesmerized by how good-looking the new jerseys were. Seriously though, let's not blame anyone, move on and look forward to the next game. Together. Negativity is lethal and contagious. Think positive, guys! :)

At the moment, Mr. Logistics here has all the remaining kits and balls (2 match worthy Mikasas and 2 futsal worthy), and will bring the 2 match balls every game. Lemme know if you're coming for the game and haven't collected your stuff yet. Also lemme know if you want the 2 futsal balls for your own use!

We are a Team

The "six inches in front of your face", that's where we Live. It's the choices you make in that place that ultimately defines you, and, over time, the course of your life, until the end.

So many of us have grand plans for "Out There" or "The Future", but never really focus on what's right in front of us, right now.

Now... What are you gonna do?

MENTAL. GO MENTAL!

"You want to get to that point, where you see the qualities you need to get back into games when things are going against you,'' he said. "The advantage they have over most teams is United have outstanding players to be able to do that, to turn things around. There are a lot of examples of teams with big names on paper that just haven't got that mentality because it is not driven from the top.'' - Mark Hughes

Now, the Start.

So... the verdict is out.

We're in Div 11 for the coming season and we will be facing 6 other teams (4 Chinese-based and 2 Malay-based). There is a good mix of students, NSF and people in their late 20s. This means that we will face opponents who will be fit and hungry. Basically, these teams are also 'new' to ESPZEN and hence we will not know much about their style and history too. For now, I will not delve deep into our opponents yet because my belief is that we should focus on ourselves first.

I guess people will question why are we in div 11 when we thrashed the div 10 champs(for your info, they will be in div 8 for the coming season) and were in div 4 back in 2008? Well, my answer to this will be based on the statistics provided by ESPZEN.

The verdict is that we are not as good as what we think of ourselves to be.

Based on 2 seasons and a cup game (Champions Cup 2008), we have the following:

They do not show much except we have a positive goal difference which goes to show that we're quite an attacking team.

Next:

What this shows is that we tend to score more goals in the first half than the second half. Although 24.53% of our goals were scored in the last quarter of the game, it is pertinent to note that it did not matter much. Why?

This is the reason. We conceded most goals during the last quarter. In fact, overall we conceded about 53% of our goals in the second half! This is quite a worrying trend that had stopped us from winning games.

This is also what I have observed in our last game at Tampines Secondary. We were strolling just after the hour mark and our opponents fought back with two goals. Maybe we can blame it on tiredness or a lapse in concentration but statistically, albeit it was two years ago, it is evident that something must be done to address this enduring issue.

I do not see this as a defensive problem because we have incredible players in that department. What I see is that we are not working as a team to prevent the opponents from coming back into the game. For instance, there were complaints of a huge gap between the midfield and defense which our last opponents exploited to great effect.

Here, we need people to take up the responsibility to lead the team both on and off the pitch. Sometimes, some decisions might not be to your liking but please let go of your personal ego and think of the team and the bigger picture. We will make unpopular decisions with regards to substitutions or change some players and formations that will change the dynamics of the game.

Noh Mihi Solum. This is the unspoken motto for our team and I hope everyone will fight for one another in the games because everything is, "not for myself alone." We all contribute in one way or another so make the most out of it by helping the team to win the games.

Finally, take this season as a gauge of our standards before we argue for a higher division in ESPZEN. I believe that we have the potential to be the best team in ESPZEN but the statistics and results have shown otherwise. Although some might argue those statistics are not accurate because it only shows 2 out of the 6 seasons that we have played since our inception. However, we have not really played well in the other seasons too. Furthermore, those were against "weaker" opponents. Let's do ourselves some justice in this and the coming seasons okay?

I look forward to this exciting journey with you lads.

P.S: Peng was also our top scorers in those 2 seasons. Taupok anyone?

P.P.S: So far, we got 2 red cards in ESPZEN. Guess who got em' ? Hint: One potato and Curry.

5th Friendly of 2011

Tampines Secondary School, 1300hrs
Everyday Sunday FC 4 - 3 Whining Eleven
St x 2, Nathan, Boon

The game started in a 4-5-1 formation with Simon as the goalie; WeiLin, Zhong, Jason Chew and Eugene forming the backline; Wak, Peng, Jason Ang, Boon and St in midfield and Nathan as the lone striker. Josh, Kim, Ethan and Long were on the bench.

Mercurial, all-action Sin Ting was on a goal-scoring mood as he brilliantly converted two chances with aplomb and style, but gifted the opposition a needless (exciting) penalty on the other end of the pitch, probably to make things more interesting for all involved. Josh attempted mind games with the taker but to no avail.

Boon's quick feet mesmerized both his marker and spectators alike as he floated past him with ease, crossing for well-positioned, predatory Nathan to add yet another goal to his tally. Provider turned scorer, Boon then finished from a precise through-ball from midfield Commando Commander Jason Ang.

Kim hit the crossbar with a looping header to the anguish of many, but his persistent dribble down the left flank that left three defenders in his wake, that led to our equalizer (despite his simultaneous calls for the ref to blow for a foul/penalty?) was truly commendable.

This match report is not in chronological order, obviously. We fought back after they drew first blood, but we scored a few nice goals before conceding a few silly ones but what's most important is the 3 poin- oh wait, it's just a friendly.

In sum, it was a good team performance, especially the consistently solid defense that seldom gets the plaudits it deserves. However, with more communication and movement, we can only and surely improve.

MOTM: Psychic Ethan, who knew the ball was going in from the free-kick he himself conceded, rushed out into illegal distance before the ball was struck, to force the opposition to retake an otherwise successful dead ball. Granted, they scored shortly after, but this was poetic (in)justice at its finest!

How the pros do it.

Jack Wilshere has revealed England's players watched videos of Barcelona in action to help them with their game plan in Saturday's Euro 2012 qualifier with Wales in Cardiff.

Rooney has an unusual pre-match ritual as he explained to Inside United.

"The day before a game I always ask Albert (the kitman) which strip we will be wearing - shirt, shorts and socks - so I can try to visualise the game,'' he said.