Thursday, September 29, 2011

My Game is Fair Play

It is my utmost honor to announce that we have won the Fair Play Award for ESPZEN Sunday League Season 15.

The team should be applauded for showing a high level of sportsmanship and restraint(in the case of Ethan) throughout the successful campaign of Season 15.

Lets keep up the good work!

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

ESFC 6 - 1 Arima Singapura FC

Apologies for the tardiness of this match report. We needed the dust to settle down first before writing this report or else....

Alright, lets skip the mess and go straight to the action for now. ESFC fielded an experimental XI, with a couple of new signings chosen straight for the firing line against a Arima Singapura FC side. Ah Liang resumed his role as the custodian with WL and Zifu the fullbacks, new Japanese import Captain Tsubasa or also formally known as Uda forming a strategic partnership with former captain Ethanol (he always says he's neutral). Another new signing, Ashley, was paired up with midfield commander Jason Ang and they were winged by WM and Zhong. Kim and Adib continued their partnership in front. Lionel and last season's hotshot Nathan were on the bench.

ESFC kicked off proceedings in fairly convincing fashion, with both clubs moving the ball forward into the attack. Arima appeared a touch sharper from the onset, but that soon settled, as nothing seemed to go through the impressive Uda who also inspired the rest of the team, particularly Ethan, to step up their game. ESFC showed verve going forward, with Kim, Adib, Zhong and Ashley all drifting into dangerous areas without a goal to show.

But, fortune favors the bold and ESFC were rewarded in the 25th minute when Ashley curled the ball over the wall from 30 yards to score on his debut. ESFC showed that they could also take the 'route one' method as a goal kick from Ah Liang was flicked by Adib into the path of Kim who slotted the ball neatly into the bottom right corner.

Half-time and 2-0 up, it looked to be a fantastic afternoon for ESFC. Or so it seemed, until Arima stepped up their game in the second half with more pace and persistence. Nathan was drafted in to replace Adib in the front line. But it was Zhong who helped to inspire the third goal for ESFC as he hassled the opposition defenders and caused them to score an own goal.

However, by this time, the ESFC defense was slowly overwhelmed and Arima were awarded a dubious penalty after Uda was judged to have fouled the opposition striker in the box. Ah Liang was unlucky not to repeat last week's heroic as he couldn't save the penalty despite putting a strong hand to it.

ESFC switched formation to 4-5-1 midway through the second half to help tide the team over. A counter-attack move down the left provided the pass for Nathan to slot the ball in from close range and that took the wind out of the sails for Arima. It was all about ESFC from that moment on.

Zhong, who was becoming the most influential player on the pitch, threaded a peach of a pass through the centre into the path of Kim and who duly unleashed a shot into the near post. By then, Arima had given up but ESFC had many 4v2 situations which they failed to take advantage of. Kim, in particular, took three chances to complete his hat-trick for the team and this came from a flick-on from Nathan in the box for the former to direct a half-volley into the net.

MOTM: Uda for his impressive debut and the way he marshaled the defense despite knowing a little bit of English. Football is indeed a universal language. Oh, and I like the way he shouted, 'Uda!' when he wanted to clear the ball. We always shout, 'MINE!' and this is something we should learn from Uda.

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Match Day 2

Opponent: Arima Singapura FC
Jersey Colors: Green / White / Red
Date: 25th Sept 11
Time: 1100hrs (Fall in @ 1030hrs)
Venue: Astro @ Pasir Ris Sec
Probable Squad:
  1. Ah Liang
  2. Ethan
  3. Lionel
  4. Zifu
  5. Weilin
  6. Zhong
  7. Weimin
  8. Kim
  9. Jason Ang
  10. Nathan
  11. Ashley
  12. Taka
  13. Adib (45 mins)
Mmmm...

Monday, September 19, 2011

ESFC 4 - 3 AC United FC

A lovely weather and beautiful pitch meant that Sunday's match might have everything - Beauty and horror, passion and agony. Everyday Sunday FC started the game with a couple of changes to the line-up, giving stuntmen Jason Chew and Ethan their chance to correct the perception or misconception that they are the best defensive pairing in ESFC. Weilin and Zhong completed the back line and this promised to be a sturdy defense until.....

The centre midfield pairing of Jason Ang and Wx was winged by 2.5-man Yenhao and serial comedian Sebas. Kim and Adib led the front line. Boon and new signing, Weimin, were on the bench.

The game started and ESFC went down in the first min as the entire back line was still discussing on who was going to perform 'stunts' when the opponent struck. The striker got enough time and space in the penalty box to drill a unstoppable shot into the far corner.

Kim surprised everyone by equalizing through a uncharacteristically sweet free kick from 35 yards away. However, AC United scored another as the back line went AWOL again. ESFC, meanwhile, displayed a fighting spirit and there was great fluidity and incisive movement to go with a gaggle of gilt-edged chances which were not put away.

By then, SOS was called and Boon followed up with another curler - this time further away - that caught the keeper off guard at the far post. 2 - 2 ! (Boon, please mark the correct shooting boots ya!)

Half-time ended and ESFC started to dominate possession. A long free-kick from Wx into the box was met by Zhong as he executed a bicycle kick that took out the keeper instead of the ball. Yenhao took advantage of the confusion and showed his predatory instinct to score from inside the penalty box. By then, ESFC were in full flow and Sebas latched onto a through ball from Kim to send the ball into the back of the net. 4 - 2 !

However, dubious decisions from the Referee helped AC United to score their third goal but it was not the end of the day for both teams as a late tackle from Ethan gave AC United the chance to get an equalizer. But, a superb save by Simon gave the all-important three points and he, thoroughly, deserved the MOTM too!

Friday, September 16, 2011

Match Day 1 - Season Opener

Opponent: AC United FC
Jersey Colors: Red / White / Red
Date: 18th Sept 11
Time: 1100hrs (Fall in @ 1030hrs)
Venue: Astro @ Pasir Ris Sec
Probable Squad:
  1. Ah Liang
  2. Jason Chew
  3. Ethan
  4. Weilin
  5. Zhong
  6. Jason Ang
  7. Weimin
  8. Yenhao
  9. Kim
  10. Adib (45 mins)
  11. Sebas
  12. Wx
  13. Boon
Sorry lads, my bad. This is, in fact, our very first league game against a worthy opponent. They have a wonderful website and some nice videos too. Go take a look on your spare time.. Otherwise, see you on Sunday!

I will do an analysis on your Div opponents soon... Some of them are, like us, champions in their own respective divisions in the previous season. Therefore, we will have an interesting season ahead!

Monday, September 12, 2011

ESFC 5 - 0 New Olympique Singapore FC

French toast for breakfast

After a successful campaign last season and some well-deserved break for Everyday Sunday FC, ESFC went into Sunday's match against New Olympique Singapore FC with the main objective of getting our groove back before the Playoffs next Sunday.

ESFC capitalized on a game that was never really in doubt with a strong opening half hour. Based solely on possession and the constant barrage of balls played through ESFC imposed its will on a fairly stagnant French side. Boon and Jason Ang came out of the locker room with their play making boots early. Yenhao's energy and burst was contagious in the attacking third, fueling the link-up and it was only natural that he unlocked NOS FC's negative stance with some clinical finishing. A foul on Adib in the penalty box allowed stand-in goalie Sebas to score from the penalty spot.

Had ESFC been more clinical in the first half, the game could have been double-digit. Nevertheless, NOS FC could not keep up with the high pressing game from ESFC and the goals came as the French side tired out.

2nd half began and Sebas returned to his striking role as regular goalie Simon rushed to the pitch after realizing that its Sunday and he got a football game! Clinical finishes from Sebas with a dubious cross-cum-shot allowed him to celebrate his second hat-trick for ESFC.

The game also saw the debut of new-signing Kenneth who sparked and looked to be the striker that ESFC have been searching for in the past few years. Kenneth scored but it was his all-round play that was lauded as he passed the ball wisely and made a couple of menacing runs to leave the impression that when he fully understands how the team plays, he will prove to be a huge success for the club.

MOTM: Sebas - Another hat-trick and there are already calls of "Sign him up!" from the fans...

Verdict: A high tempo game would also prove to be detrimental for ESFC as the once-fit boys tired out and lapses in focus at the ends of both halves meant that there were far too many stray passes and possession given away too much. It’s actually a bit heartbreaking. So... lets do something about it shall we?

Friday, September 9, 2011

Pre-season 2011/12 "Friendly"

Opponent: New Olympique Singapore FC
Jersey Colors: Red / White / Red
Date: 11th Sept 11
Time: 1100hrs (Fall in @ 1030hrs)
Venue: Astro @ Queenstown Sec
Probable Squad:
  1. Ah Liang
  2. Zhong
  3. Ethan
  4. Weilin
  5. Kim
  6. Boon
  7. Yenhao
  8. St
  9. Sebas
  10. Kenneth Sim
  11. Adib
  12. Jason Ang