Change is constant. As time flows, the last tick of a second has become history. Yesterday's history, it has become but the body still remembers it well, the aching reminds the mind vividly how yesterday was made. 2 days has passed since Frontliners' encounter with Ztec 8cers but the muscle ache continues to replay bits and parcels in my mind. What a game!!
20 July 2008. Venue, Dalat International School. Pouring rain. Yet, it attempt to cool down the excitement and intensity of both teams are to no avail. In the hall divided by the Reds and the Blues, muscles are well stretched, weapons are sharpen, killing intent is being maxed. There is no stopping the battle from erupting. Not the water dripping from the roof, not under the watchful eyes of the referees(Linken and Uncle Sam).
Nobody managed to draw first blood. Only the sound of stick clashing, feet stomping echoed in the hall. The referees were really put into test to make the calls. To be frank, the referees were pretty lenient as they took into consideration the experience level of the players and to let the game flow. Stricter measures were taken in the later periods as the fouls was becoming repetitive. From the players' expressions, some look confused with the decisions but nevertheless this should act as a learning stage for the new comers.
Just as the game was going to a stale draw and an achievement to brag about considering that Ztec outnumbered us 3 to 2 lines with a large majority of guys, Ztec scored. Not one, not two but three in quick succession to kill the game off. Fatigue and lapse of concentration must have crept in.
The juniors lost. 3-0. Lost but not defeated. All the goals were achieved. 3 out of 3. Team spirit kept in tack; all of you guys played with your hearts out and took a lot of shots! So heads up people. Train hard and look forward for more friendlies in the future.
Special mention to newbie keeper, Kai being his third time in goal gave a great performance. Holding on from Ztec's waves and waves of attacking. Although lacking in technique, Kai make tonnes of reaction saves, keeping the score line in tag until the final period. Two thumbs up!!
Typical Spartans
Seeing the juniors got KO-ed, temperature rose and rose, grip on the stick gets tighter and tighter. Can wait for the whistle for face off. A turn towards the bench... Sweat. 9 players plus 4 tired from the junior squad. Confidence dropped dead low. Half the regulars were grounded as exams is lurking around. Lets keep the scoreline respectable, I hope. Sweat(again).
The unexpected and the expected happened.
10 minutes into the game, a one-two between Ming Hwee and Adrian... Goal!! Unexpected. Frontliners took a unexpectedly lead. But the expected soon took over as Ztec equalised, then took the lead and then double the lead.
In to the second period, the intensity increased. The leading eager to increase the lead, the trailing fighting hard to catch up. A nice pass from a free hit by Serene met with a finish by Kenny, Frontliners pulled one back. Cheers!! Short one as Ztec Hit 2 back. Looks like the expected is expected to happened after all. Although I managed to squeeze a direct free hit in between, Ztec still lead by 2.
9 pair of tired legs and a pair of very tired knees. We went out in the last period panting. We went out not knowing that we were going to stage a superb come back.
A nice wall pass from Ming Hwee and a swift drag shot, the keeper was caught of guard and then another scramble in front of Ztec's goal, I managed to put another pass the keeper. We equalized!!! But Ztec kept their cool and penetrated us again, taking advantage of our weariness.
That was it. As expected. I thought. But the game was still on. The final whistle was still far off. Bo huat, keep pushing on lar.
In the midst of end to end action, suddenly out of no where, Kenny received a back pass from Adrian on the top right corner. Unmarked. Good spot. Shoot!!! I shouted with my lungs out. And then... Goal!!! We equalized(again)!!! But Ztec was not about to give in, they wanted to win. But Frontliners was not about to give in as well, we wanted to keep it that way. Pushing and shoving. Aggression meet with aggression. The referees had to made some tough calls, sending a player each from both sides to the penalty bench for roughing and jumping. By that time, both teams were off steam. We having possession were just letting the time run and Ztec wasn't keen of pressuring as well.
Finally, final whistle. 6-6. A big relief, a bit disappointed and a bit proud.
Relief that its finally over, I was at my limit. Disappointed that our regulars could come and we failed to utilise the friendly for our game play training but proud with the overall performance of Frontliners who fought till the last breath and last drop of sweat. Every Frontliner really have to salute our "Kungfu" keeper for such a marvelous performance between the post after standing in as an outfield player in the first game. Double two thumbs up!!
In the end, Frontliners put on typical "Spartanic" performance, staging the usual comeback. Although it can be very tiring and heart-stopping doing that all the time. Phew...
Special thanks to Termin, Moy and all the 8cers to made the friendly possible and also the referees, Linken and Uncle Sam and Sam junior for timekeeping. =) Last but not least, all the Frontliners that made it to the friendly. See you all in future friendlies.
20 July 2008. Venue, Dalat International School. Pouring rain. Yet, it attempt to cool down the excitement and intensity of both teams are to no avail. In the hall divided by the Reds and the Blues, muscles are well stretched, weapons are sharpen, killing intent is being maxed. There is no stopping the battle from erupting. Not the water dripping from the roof, not under the watchful eyes of the referees(Linken and Uncle Sam).
Going Down Proud
6pm. Face off. Who is going to draw first blood??
Nobody managed to draw first blood. Only the sound of stick clashing, feet stomping echoed in the hall. The referees were really put into test to make the calls. To be frank, the referees were pretty lenient as they took into consideration the experience level of the players and to let the game flow. Stricter measures were taken in the later periods as the fouls was becoming repetitive. From the players' expressions, some look confused with the decisions but nevertheless this should act as a learning stage for the new comers.
Just as the game was going to a stale draw and an achievement to brag about considering that Ztec outnumbered us 3 to 2 lines with a large majority of guys, Ztec scored. Not one, not two but three in quick succession to kill the game off. Fatigue and lapse of concentration must have crept in.
The juniors lost. 3-0. Lost but not defeated. All the goals were achieved. 3 out of 3. Team spirit kept in tack; all of you guys played with your hearts out and took a lot of shots! So heads up people. Train hard and look forward for more friendlies in the future.
Special mention to newbie keeper, Kai being his third time in goal gave a great performance. Holding on from Ztec's waves and waves of attacking. Although lacking in technique, Kai make tonnes of reaction saves, keeping the score line in tag until the final period. Two thumbs up!!
Typical Spartans
Seeing the juniors got KO-ed, temperature rose and rose, grip on the stick gets tighter and tighter. Can wait for the whistle for face off. A turn towards the bench... Sweat. 9 players plus 4 tired from the junior squad. Confidence dropped dead low. Half the regulars were grounded as exams is lurking around. Lets keep the scoreline respectable, I hope. Sweat(again).
The unexpected and the expected happened.
10 minutes into the game, a one-two between Ming Hwee and Adrian... Goal!! Unexpected. Frontliners took a unexpectedly lead. But the expected soon took over as Ztec equalised, then took the lead and then double the lead.
In to the second period, the intensity increased. The leading eager to increase the lead, the trailing fighting hard to catch up. A nice pass from a free hit by Serene met with a finish by Kenny, Frontliners pulled one back. Cheers!! Short one as Ztec Hit 2 back. Looks like the expected is expected to happened after all. Although I managed to squeeze a direct free hit in between, Ztec still lead by 2.
9 pair of tired legs and a pair of very tired knees. We went out in the last period panting. We went out not knowing that we were going to stage a superb come back.
A nice wall pass from Ming Hwee and a swift drag shot, the keeper was caught of guard and then another scramble in front of Ztec's goal, I managed to put another pass the keeper. We equalized!!! But Ztec kept their cool and penetrated us again, taking advantage of our weariness.
That was it. As expected. I thought. But the game was still on. The final whistle was still far off. Bo huat, keep pushing on lar.
In the midst of end to end action, suddenly out of no where, Kenny received a back pass from Adrian on the top right corner. Unmarked. Good spot. Shoot!!! I shouted with my lungs out. And then... Goal!!! We equalized(again)!!! But Ztec was not about to give in, they wanted to win. But Frontliners was not about to give in as well, we wanted to keep it that way. Pushing and shoving. Aggression meet with aggression. The referees had to made some tough calls, sending a player each from both sides to the penalty bench for roughing and jumping. By that time, both teams were off steam. We having possession were just letting the time run and Ztec wasn't keen of pressuring as well.
Finally, final whistle. 6-6. A big relief, a bit disappointed and a bit proud.
Relief that its finally over, I was at my limit. Disappointed that our regulars could come and we failed to utilise the friendly for our game play training but proud with the overall performance of Frontliners who fought till the last breath and last drop of sweat. Every Frontliner really have to salute our "Kungfu" keeper for such a marvelous performance between the post after standing in as an outfield player in the first game. Double two thumbs up!!
In the end, Frontliners put on typical "Spartanic" performance, staging the usual comeback. Although it can be very tiring and heart-stopping doing that all the time. Phew...
Special thanks to Termin, Moy and all the 8cers to made the friendly possible and also the referees, Linken and Uncle Sam and Sam junior for timekeeping. =) Last but not least, all the Frontliners that made it to the friendly. See you all in future friendlies.
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