We lost to Ace United 1-5 in the opening game. Imagine my shock when I heard the news. The news was so shocking that even the organiser rang me to ask what had happened. I was stumped. I couldnt explain neither could I comprehend the loss margin.
In the wake of the debacle, I made calls to several players to understand what happened. Shockingly, not much varied;
- everyone was off-form
- defensive mistakes were to blame for the goals
- we were dictated by the opponent
- we didnt play our usual game
- we were more contented chiding one another
- underestimated the opponent
- khai was shackled upfront
Defensive mistakes FOUR central defenders and first choice keeper were present, yet we conceded 5 goals! 5 GOALS! Absurd. Ball bounce over defender's head; keeper's eccentricity was at the highest; played high offside trap. SINCE WHEN WE PLAYED OFFSIDE TRAP?
Categorically, defenders, inclusive of keeper, would be blame. However defending is a collective effort. What happened to the rest? Why did midfield allowed opponent to dictate the game? How come the opponent was able to score from center circle? Where was the DM? Who was the DM? Who was responsible to close him down? Was anybody closing anyone down?
Selfish attitude From what I heard, it was quite evident that everyone was playing their own game. There was lack of communication - proper communication - or acknowledgement of one another. Mentally, we succumbed to the other's frailty and were never able to pick ourselves up. Very WEAK in the brain!
We allowed ourselves to be dictated. Failed to work with one another to raise the game. Still the same issue, there were no leaders on the field to spur everyone. Everyman for himself. A year older yet not a year wiser.
Underestimated the opponent How could we have underestimated the opponent? I did inform you who the opponent were. Although info was scarce, knowing that the team were together for 6-7 years with a few Blackjack players was enough information for us to be on our toes. And I did mention that this league was tougher than the last. Arrogance.
Weak attack If khai was shackled, where was the support? Please, let me understand, was it difficult to support from midfield during attack when 3 men closed khai down. Please let me know because I wasnt there to see what happened.
Conclusion I could have taken a loss of 0-1 or maybe 0-2. I had done that in the past to the extent of praising the team if I was assured we had played how we were suppose to play. From what I heard thus far on today's game, there was no evident of such.
Whether I could have made a difference would be purely hypothetical. However, even if I was there and the team insist on playing the way it played today, even the best coaches couldnt had done much. Frankly, I didnt need to be around. The team already knew what it was to do on the field.
I had seen what the team did to FATE and Marceles Junior. Even the organiser remembered that game till this very day. If this wasnt true, I wouldnt be ranting. The team still consist the same players and we had been playing our way for more than year now. To accept what happened today was very bitter. Unacceptable.
To hear that it was a wakeup call, frankly, is utter nonsense. Was that the best excuse each one of us could come up with? Was it?
Where do I hide my face? I would be looking hard at myself and asked if I had done enough for the team. It is quite apparent that I hadnt.
Shameless to even think that we could 'eat' a chinese team before the game began. What fools to even have claimed that the opponent was tired when they were singaporean chinese with tonnes of reserves. How that backfired. We made a mockery of ourselves. Shameful. A shambolic team performance.
Special mention I heard from several players that Nic played very well. Naz had a slow start but made amends as the game wore on. Even hit the bar at one point. Good job!