Scorer: Omar (35th min)

Ok here’s the lowdown on the match against 16 Rascals (13 Rascals to be exact as 3 was down with hair dresser appointment, eyebrow threading and etc).

On a serious note, we started the game with a lacklustre performance and trying to do too much individually when we have not even settled down. Passes were stray, first touches were a mile away. We could not contain the fast and omniscient attacking flow of the little rascals, it was as if the latecoming of the referee due to a hearty breakfast of roti prata telur plaster and teh tarik dinosaur placed us in sleep mode.

The little Rascals, a young hearty technically sound and spirited team, so spirited that they had reserve(s) who were more than willing to come down, even with no jerseys to boot. Such determined attitude to kick us in the bottom started wonderfully with strings of passes around the field and close control which made us difficult to hold them. An escalating attack down the right side got one of the Rascals in an advantageous position where he shot a deceptively wobbly shot which hit a humpback of a whale thanks to the uneven and hardness of the pitch causing the ball to skip pass Anuar and into goal. Though the buildup was commendable, the goal was lucky in a sense but lets not blame the pitch but ourselves for not being able to put up with the play of the Rascals.

We started to push and advance further up the pitch looking for a mirage of a goal as the weather was not any better with temperatures soaring close to 38 degrees! Straits Times and Sunday Newspaper reported that it was possibly the hottest Sunday of the Year of the Tiger. But it was not looking any better. Abang Ali had to take out his myriad of a blue little 555 notebook to come out with strategies that has been kept in his sleeves for a while now. He introduced 2 players namely Kamafaizal and Bull in replacement of Jeff and Shahril. The duo made an instantaneous impact to the game. We started to dominate the game, passes were stringing, Rascals initiation of attack was countered with terrorising interception. We were making attacks convincingly now, every move seems promising, buildups was there. We were biting the Rascals hard wherever it hurts and making them run their youthfulness away. SaniCIK, a veteran pakcik in the Rascals team was slimming down by the seconds. The Rascals was tired out and having the medicine back at their faces.

And then, the defining moments came where Zj made a pass into the penalty area and UP jumped Omar (possibly one of the shortest players in our squad as claimed by the man himself) rising high against all odds to convert a coolly placed header to the left of the goal! The keeper was jumping and catching fireflies in light of his facination towards these cute creatures. We were back in the game! A few minutes later, our brilliant play was overshadowed by a heated argument between a Rascal and Cina. They were making a stand to each other that the temperature was 39 degrees and 40 degrees respectively. The weather really was playing a trick on our thin and wearing skin on that day as according to earlier reports up on this page, it was 38 degrees. Period. No more heaty arguments about the weather in future i hope. And so that was first half.

In the second half, we played and started much better with a conviction to win this game. We poured in numbers in attack driving left and right to find the illusive goal. Substitions were being made from both parties to make a running against a standstill of a draw. But the lack of reserves of the Rascals proved to be a backfiring move for the opponents as they were looking weary and dreary. They did manage to counter 2 or 3 attacks by individual play but we were better off as a team. Now our passes are becoming an effective mode of attack through the back door as we nearly got a goal with a header from Bull. But his header was parried off by the goalie. By this time, Zamri woke up from his slumber and displayed a mark of his usual self with runs and passes to Khai and Syai. Khai got a pass through the left by i cant remember who possibly Kama, Zam or Syai. He feinted to his left and then right beating his opponent of his track and with just the keeper to beat, kicked a splendidly under the table shot full of everything except, power much to the content of the goalie. We had a couple of shots at goal but the final third technicalities and precision was not there in terms of passing and finishing.

The referee did a pretty bad job in his decisions due to the hearty of a breakfast he had which blocked much of the needed energy to his brain and channelled the energy to the mechanisms of his stomach crunching digestion. Onsides were being called off and throw-ins were given even when the ball was not over. He had a hard time getting his wage from us and was given a duly critism to his questionable judgement. The game ended with a draw but the Rascals were more than happy with a draw with glistening smiles filling their youthful faces. Not that we are old but we are forever young. Although the game was on us for the taking, we should not be too disappointed with the draw. Whats important is the character in our team as more often than not we always came back from being down trailing. WE have that vigour, courage, determination, depth and the commitment to take on whatever that lies in the pitches. But lets not make it a habit to be trailing as I know there is more kick by giving the lead to the opponent as we are always trying to prove our pundits wrong by the odds that they place on our heads. There is team spirit around and players more often than not support each other be it on the pitch or by the stands rooting for the 11 that plays. Hence, it is hoped that whoever gets to play gives their 100% cos theres no such thing as 110% as its an overated expression to suggest, when even 100% is not being fulfilled. To the new players, welcome to the team of warriors and lets fight with whatever spirit we have and fight with dignity come what may! I hope there is much to be showcased in terms of spirit, so much so that i can SMELL them!

Last but not least, i would like to thank Mr Dino for being more than gracious to award such sexciting incentives. A kind soul who sees the future of this team. But lets not look at its monetary aspect but more towards for the benefit of the whole team to fight for glory at the top spot in the league. The individual incentive should be secondary and team objective to be primary. I ll end it with a small prayer to the sponsor, management and players and a great week ahead! God Bless Us all.

Cheers! Bull