Champions of DIV 11

Although there was little fanfare or rather another absence of opposition from the final match, there was a sense of jubilation in the team as ESFC was crowned champions for only the second time in their short history. The journey was not a smooth one, as in most things in life, but time and time again, the team has proven that when the going gets tough, we can turn things around and often when we least expect.

This victory lifted the gloom which the team has faced recently. Although it must be said the last time feelings were running so low at the team was quite some a while ago and we can only hope that the team will have had more enthusiasm and energy for the coming season.

Match Day 12

Opponent: Team Evo FC
Jersey Colors: Green / White / Red
Date: 31st July 11
Time: 1100hrs (Fall in @ 1030hrs)
Venue: Savanna @ Punggol Sec School
Probable Squad:

1. Adib
2. Zhong
   
3. Ethan
4. Weilin
   
5. Eugene
   
6. Boon
7. Yenhao
8. Wx
   
9. Jason Ang
10. Ragen
    
11. Abang Aguero
    
12. Kim

Final match of the season! Don't let our guards down.

ESFC 3 - 0 Team EVO FC [Walkover]

ESFC took the opportunity from the absence of Team EVO FC in the penultimate match of the season to have a 7-a-side training and bonding session. Indeed, the session brought the team closer together as the players were led by Captain Boon and Ethan who were inspired by Qiuli in the exhilarating Sg-Msia match the night before.

Onwards to victory!

Match Day 11

Opponent: Team Evo FC
Jersey Colors: Red / White / Red
Date: 24th July 11
Time: 1100hrs (Fall in @ 1030hrs)
Venue: Astro @ 10Kukujiao Sec
Probable Squad:

1. Liang
   
2. Zifu
   
3. Ethan
4. Abang
   
5. Weilin
   
6. Darren
7. Eugene
   
8. Boon
9. Yenhao
10. St
    
11. Jason Ang
12. Ragen
    
13. Nathan
14. Kim
15. Adib x 45 minutes
    

We're at the final stretch of the season against the same opponent in the last two games. Let's not slip up now.

Team Evo FC has a featured player on Footballopod but this is normally written and sent by the team itself. So it doesn't mean anything. We still have to play our game and I have some tactical pointers to make here.

I think we need to learn to play in a compact manner meaning the gap between our line of strikers, midfielders and defenders should be minimized. There were instances in our previous games whereby the gaps were so wide that you could fill Titanic(slightly exaggerating) in.

Secondly, I feel that at times we can press high and reap the benefits. But the key here is to do it as a team. The ENTIRE team must do it together. If not, it will lead to the first point that I mentioned above.

I know we tend to be frustrated when things do not go our way - especially myself - but we need to communicate our intentions to the rest of the team. As Boon says, "What's said on the pitch, stay on the pitch." If you have a valid reason and its communicated properly to the rest, then I'm sure everyone will support.

Finally, there are some things that I wish to clarify.

Our objective. It has always been asked and wondered. What is our team's objective? We started out as a group of like-minded friends who just wanted to cure our addiction for a dose of football together. It still is. We're still addicted. However, things gets a little bit complicated and we want to win. And this meant that our objective became slightly skewed. For some, winning and losing do not matter. For others, they're here to win. Here, our objective became blurred. What I can say is that most games are already lost, not won. We're in it as friends and it is important to enjoy the game. Winning is a bonus and losing means we got to try harder. Remember that we have a responsibility to one another. That is why football is a team game. Here's a quote to remember.

The finish line is sometimes merely the symbol of victory. All sorts of personal triumphs take place before that point, and the outcome of the race may actually be decided long before the end. ~Laurence Malone

Please be open to feedback, both good and bad. Don't bring your frustration and angst outside the pitch. We're more than a club. We're friends.

Video

An Auld lang syne-ish post

Hi there!

As some of you would've known by now, I'm leaving ESFC to return to Tusser. It's not about the wages that don't exist, and it's certainly nothing personal. It's just a difference in preference of sporting culture- not to say that it sucks here of course! As the adage goes, different strokes for different folks.

I'd like to thank and each and every one of you for the awesome memories we've shared on and off the pitch for what, the past 4-5 years? I've definitely left calmer, more peace-loving and richer for the experience, and you all have my sincerest gratitude for this.

I'd also like to single Kim out for pulling this incredible team back together, Sin Ting and Boon's undying commitment to handling manpower and operations all this while, and Simon for being our goalie and never complaining about it!

Good luck in everything that you set yourself out to do or whatever fate hurls at you in this adventure called life, and most importantly, enjoy it to the fullest! We all live only once.

Sincerely,

Joshua Kho

ESFC 5 - 2 Rowdees FC

ESFC mounted an impressive comeback despite going down by 2 goals in the first 15 minutes. A switch of personnel and change of formation brought some much-needed stability to the team that was slow off the block once again. This coincided with a sudden injection of urgency and high pressing into ESFC’s game.

Quick interchanging plays between the midfielders and strikers enacted more pressure for the opponents and a quick succession of 3 goals were scored before the end of the first half. A pin-point corner from Boon found Long lurking in the far post and his thumping header ascended ESFC's confidence level.

ESFC dominated the remaining first half, playing with more swagger, aggression and invention than they had done in the previous 15 minutes. A cross was curled in delicately by the right foot of teleporter-Weilin and Sebas was at the end of it, glancing ESFC into an encouraging tie game. But that was not the end of it as another laser-guided cross-cum-shot from Jason Ang found Long lurking in the near post this time and the latter scored his 2nd of the game with another thumping header was deflected into the net by the goalie.

Second half saw the introduction of Nathan who worked his socks off to pressure the defense and was rewarded with a fine goal. Boon scored the final goal of the game after some impressive overlapping runs and one-twos between Weilin and Sebas.

Credits to Long for scoring two one fine header but the same must be mentioned for those who provided the supply. Moments of such quality deserve to win games, but had Rowdees FC taken their chances, there’s no doubt they would have easily won this game.

Match Day 10

Opponent: Rowdees FC
Jersey Colors: Red / White / Red
Date: 10th July 11
Time: 1100hrs (Fall in @ 1030hrs)
Venue: Natural Grass @ Tanjong Katong SS
Probable Squad:

1. Liang
   
2. Jason Chew
   
3. Ethan
   
4. Weilin
   
5. Darren
   
6. Boon
7. Josh
   
8. Jason Ang
9. Nathan
10. Kim
11. St
12. Wx
13. Long
14. Sebas

Important game! Must win!

ESFC 4 - 0 Rowdees FC

ESFC maintained its winning form under the Sunday sky and the blistering afternoon heat. The team started without the influential Boon who opted to start from the bench and this would later proved to be a genius tactical decision.

Started in the heart of defence was Zhong Terry, back from his expedition around the world that would have put Gulliver to shame and Ethanrazzi which had just minutes before the start admitted to his unusual fetish for animal porn.

The afternoon heat took its toll on the boys as ESFC took close to 20 minutes to get its engine started as on form striker Nathan failed to add to his impressive tally. As the saying goes, the making of a good team is when you grind out results even when you are not playing well and this seems to be the perfect epitome of ESFC. Indeed, a pin-point bullet throw-in by St set up mercurial Yenhao to volley in off the crossbar for the first goal of the game.

2nd half started with a much more composed ESFC with Captain Boon and Chest-bursting Wx coming on and adding more bite to the already lethal ESFC attack. Unfortunately, Zhong was caught out by the opponent while attempting a pass to Zifu and was sent off for what seems like a dubious decision. After some reshuffling with Long deputizing at center back, the opponents bombarded the ESFC goal like a B-52 bomber but the makeshift centre-halves pairing of Long and Zifu, coupled with the ever-brilliant Van Der Simon repelled everything that came their way and more importantly, the goalie made a couple of fantastic saves from point blank range.

When it seems like the game is going to finish 1-0, Boon stood up to the pressure with extraordinary grace by scoring from an assist from Yenhao against the run of play to make it 2 – 0. This proved to be crucial as the goal took the wind out of the sails of Rowdees FC and the floodgates opened after that.

In another counter-attacking move, Boon did a solo run down the flanks from a pass from Kim to clinically tap in his 2nd of the game and ESFC’s third. Makeshift left-back ST - covering for Eugene who was sick and Darren who wanted to be a spectator in the 2nd half - made some outstanding overlapping runs and one of it provided a goal as Boon made a reverse pass that split the defense wide-open. Unfortunately, ST's shot hit the pole but it rebounded for Yenhao to tap in for the 4th goal which concluded the Fruitful Sunday of ESFC.

There were many players such as Jason Ang, Long, Yenhao, Ethan and Simon who played well today but special mention and the MOTM must be given to Boon who provided the side with two crucial goals to turn the tide. Ethanrazzi must also be commended for being ever so brave and reliable in defense and in admitting to his secret fetishes.

-Report by DarrenMail

Match Day 9

Opponent: Rowdees FC
Jersey Colors: Green / White / Red
Date: 3rd July 11
Time: 1100hrs (Fall in @ 1030hrs)
Venue: Natural Grass @ Tanjong Katong SS
Probable Squad:

1. Liang
   
2. Zhong
3. Zifu
   
4. Ethan
   
5. Weilin
   
6. Darren
   
7. Boon
8. Yenhao
9. JasonAng
10. Nathan
11. Kim
12. St
13. Wx
14. Long
    

Important game! Must win!