PFL 2009 (Div 2) Review: Coach Jason's 300

This year's division 2 campaign has been a roller coaster ride for everyone in the team. Many questions had been posed as to what the outcome would be. It was a mixture of an experienced division 1 chipsmore, a decently skilled player who just "curved" his stick, a hyperactive duo of small cikus, a group of powerpuff girls and a keeper that had yet to be tested.

We started the campaign pretty slow. Untested. Due to logistics and time constraints, we couldn't really test the whole team as in playing as it is. Deservingly, we lost to Dalat in our first game.

As the league progressed, we seemed to show some promise as one of the medal candidates. People began to write good things about us after winning against one of the top teams in Penang, Contact Bullets. The 3-0 win was a sweet one. Playing against a very tactical and proper team, I still think we were lucky to put it off against them. Michael was basically on form that day. His curve was just curvy enough to bag the goals.

Frontliners has always been a moody team. We are very temparamental, as our morale changes like the weather all the time. On our good days we can play really well. On our bad days, we can really play as though we never have touched a stick before. The win against Griffins was a lucky and narrow win. Although we won, we felt as though we lost. I also personally learned that I as a coach need to gamble at times. Relying on important players like Michael and Megan can be a little too predictable and obvious, leaving the rest of the players untested.

Quickly enough, we learned fast from our previous shortcomings and improvised from our previous matches. The game against Firebrands marked a beginning of a new format for 300. If I had to pick our best game, it would be the one against Phoenix. Phoenix were the best team in division 2. 300 made a lot of changes. There were at least 4 line-ups played against Phoenix. Each change created a different tempo to the game. Changing the mood of the gameplay at every change.

That game displayed creativity in the usage of line-ups as we learned to be flexible and daring with our line-ups. The consequence? An unpredictable and powered up 300 team which played like the Spartans. The teamplay was awesome. There were a lot of chances and good teamwork between the forwards and the centre. Defence was solid to the max. However, because of some silly mistake, we let in a silly goal due to our lack of concentration. And that silly goal cost the whole team to fall as we had shown that we are mentally weak when facing pressure in tournaments.

If 300 want to rise up, they must learn to keep their heads in the game and stay focused, no matter the results. That was the only disappointing thing in the last game.

The outcome of the league: all of us gained a lot of experience. Stars were born. Some shy people finally got to shine and show their true colors, to my amazement. I was very impressed with the team overall. This year's campaign was definitely much better than the previous year's :)

Youthwave is coming up. Penang League is over, now we look forward to Youthwave and the upcoming Division 1 in June.

"So, how does that make you feel?"

Words of psychiatrists who earn mega bucks an hour just listening to people and giving obvious advice. It can only happen on TV.

What a way to fill the blog. Since PBSM reclaimed their hall, there was no training this week and so, no report. Fret not; I'll be talking about my feelings! (Isn't that what blogs are for now?) Yes, the many feelings and emotions that were pouring in during the final match of this year's PFL Div. 2.

Text message said to be there by 7.45pm. And since I've been living in Malaysia for almost all my life, let's just say I arrived later than 11.45 GMT+8. First thing I noticed was the huge crowd-- huge for a Div. 2 game standard and definitely noisier. So why was I there?

Oh, right, if results go our way we get a medal. One glance at the scoreboard left a sunken feeling at the pit of my stomach. Medal hopes fading away faster. Probably already vanished.

Half time whistle meant I could go find a seat. Front row next to a few fellow Frontliners and one of them was way more upset than I was. (I wasn't upset, just had that sunken feeling). The person probably knew how to let feelings be known unlike me who'd just bottle it up and wait until it goes off like a time bomb or when a blog post like this comes along.

Fast forward and I found myself updating an ex-Frontliner, who reluctantly had to balik kampung over the holidays, on the scores. It's not easy you know! Sometimes after I've sent one text I'd have to send another one on the next goal a few seconds later.

Prize giving somehow felt less grand than last year. And we all know how the results went. Two weeks ago we had a chance but I have no regrets. No "What if I had" or "I wish I didn't". It was all forgotten as I saw the medals being given away. So why was I there again?

This time, I had no idea. All I knew was that Ugly Betty had already started on TV. Whether it was sadness, anger or happiness that was filling me I couldn't tell.

Oh wait! I know. It's confusion.

Or maybe I forgot how I felt.

Nope, pretty sure I'm still confused.

From whipping boys (and girls) to one time medal contenders, I do believe we can go that extra mile next year and hopefully, I'll have better emotions then. For now, I was just happy I arrived back home in time to catch the last half hour of Ugly Betty.


*This post was written by 300 defender, Sonia, on all her weird feelings inside when watching the last match of Penang League 2009.

300 G5: Pictures

The boards extra heavy today, lady?

Coach Jason taking a break from all the seriousness.

Julian showing Coach Jason the right way to do it.

Tristan definitely not afraid to get stuck in today!

[Oops, wrong person to pass to!]

Oh, Megan, the hair!

Verina savoring her rare excursion into the court.

Tiny Captain Michael.

Yung Ming of Phoenix taking a breather.

Coach Jason pleased with 300's first-half display.

"Still time? Then pray."

How long can you hold out now, 300?

Sonia keeping tight shackles on her man.

Julian having a go.

Megan whacked in the face.

Breakthrough for Phoenix with six minutes left on the clock.

Crushed 300 cannot believe what just happened.

Coach Jason issuing a rallying call during timeout.

Yellow Captain leaving Black Captain in his wake.

Samuel of Phoenix overcome with fierce joy, 2-0 to Phoenix.

A demoralized 300 out there.

300 hit rock-bottom when Phoenix put the final nail in their coffin.

300 wishing for the game to be done with already.

The much anticipated battle of the captains that turned out to be a low-key affair. Off day, maybe?

Tradition demands it... although you can bet that some in yellow would love to kick tradition for once.

"Well, lads... It's a hard one to take as I felt we were the better team..."Sound familiar, Man Yoo fans?

The long, contemplative faces of deep thinkers.

And for the best... the largest picture, reserved for Tania who played her last game for Frontliners 300 that day.

300 G5: For Want Of A Nail

For want of a nail the shoe was lost
For want of a shoe the horse was lost
For want of a horse the rider was lost
For want of a rider the battle was lost
For want of a battle the kingdom was lost
And all for the want of a horseshoe nail

Frontliners 300 had every reason to end Penang League and walk out with their heads held high after their best performance ever.

It was as a team that 300 marched into the court that Saturday, it was as a team that they matched Phoenix stick for stick, and it was as a team that they crumbled and lost.

And how galling it must be for some, to be so close and yet so far to end up empty handed.

But that Saturday, they made it known that Frontliners 300 was not a one-man team.

In the first half, it was not Michael but Tristan who saw most of the ball. After being ticked off last week by Coach Jason for not running enough, he put in the game of his life, and should have capitalized on slack marking to stick in a few goals.

It was a miraculously organized 300 team that Phoenix were running into, and there was no way past them that half.

0-0 up to the break.

Play got rougher in the second half as Phoenix were looking for ways to get past a resilient 300. Temperatures rose, and some players were simmering up to boiling point.

Yet still the clocked ticked on, and somehow, somehow... could it happen?

But in the final six minutes, all it took was a moment of madness and burning tempers, and everything was shattered.

And all for the want of a horseshoe nail, the battle was lost.

3-0 to Phoenix; an undeserved and bitter loss in 300's heroic final stand.

300 G4: Pictures

Frontliners 1-1 Firebrands. (not for long)

A very nonchalant Daniel Tan after scoring his second goal.

Kenneth powering his way past.

Daniel Tan stepping up to the spot.

Referees getting a tongue lashing?

A frustrated Captain Michael during half time.

Less-than-sexy Lin Ken taking on the role of temporary coach for Firebrands.

Michael's turn to shout, as Coach Jason lost his voice.

A bemused June sitting out her second consecutive bench penalty.

Captain Michael unleashing yet another shot.

Anxious Firebrands.

Freehit that resulted in a penalty for 300.

Penalty save by Bryan on Michael's Unihoc Curve 1.5

Megan's flying new hairstyle.

A visibly relieved Michael after scoring the equalizer yet again.

Timeout called by Coach Jason.

Even the bench is cheering 300 on for one more goal.

Julian finding himself blocked out by the ever-present James.

...every reason to be proud of your next-door neighbours from FGA.

Each team grateful for their ever-present supporters.

Team talk for the disappointed Frontliners.

A croaking Coach Jason talking things over.

Contrasting figures: A disappointed Soon Khai and a jubilant Firebrands.

Spartans whether win, draw, or lose.

300 G4: Blood Brothers Battle

Ask for fierce frowns and this is what you get: goofy grins, embarassed smiles, tortured expressions, and cannot-tahan-i'm-bursting-with-laughter faces.

Frontliners 300 did what exactly Coach Jason asked during half-time: That they claw their way back and hang on for a draw against a Firebrands team full of ex-Frontliners and people invited by Frontliners.

And yet somehow, there was a sense of bitter disappointment and dashed hopes after the game. They should have won, but Saturday just wasn't their day. Opportunities that the forwards would normally have put in, blindfolded. A whopping six bench penalties, not ugly but irritating, ignorant bench penalties. Bryan, the ex-Frontliner, who came out of his mostly anonymous performance to deny a sure goal by Megan and a win for 300 in the dying moments of the game.

It was a see-saw game, swinging this side one moment and swinging the other side another moment. Firebrands drew first blood, 300 equalized. Firebrands went one-up immediately after the equalizer.

And that was how the first half ended: 2-1 to Firebrands. It could have been 3-1 had Daniel converted the penalty awarded for June stepping into the crease (ignorance yet again).

In the second half, Firebrands seemed content to sit back and absorb whatever little pressure 300 was applying, counter-attacking through the menacing Daniel (yes, he attended Frontliners training some time ago). The tension was growing, and so was the frustration as 300 looked for the equalizer but were blocked off by a resolute, more-or-less comfortable Firebrands defence.

And so when Michael scored his second of the game, a trademark shot from a long way off, he stood right on the spot and raised his arms in relief, after all the emotion of the game.

Play continued to degenerate, bar the wonder save by Bryan on Megan's shot, and it was no surprise that the game ended 2-2.

Yet one look at the faces of the different teams and you'd say Firebrands had thrashed 300.

The after-game surprise cake for birthday girl Sonia lightened things up a little, and even Captain Michael indulged in two pieces of cheese cake when everyone else had only one.

Dear, dear Captain Michael.

This is it now, 300: it's time to raise your game and finish your Penang League campaign with a bang and walk out with your heads high. Give us a game we'll never forget.

Of course, no pressure:).

Just Training

Training was more technical than physical this week. Coach Kuan Yang's drills were mainly focused on the tiny technical details, such as ball protection and short, fast passing. Even for the end-training, traditional match time, hardly anyone broke sweat as line changes were called very often.

Yep, it was training at its very normal, weekly best.

And how the players rejoiced at the feel of consistency that was long lacking.

For the first drill, it was warmup passing with a slight twist in it. Players would stand at opposite ends, and both would run (one with the ball) to the other end. Upon reaching the other end, the one with the ball would do a quick turn and then release the ball to the player standing opposite.

The drill that followed was ball protection. The players first did it without their sticks, then with their sticks. The price for losing the ball? A measly two pushups, though some claimed to have been told five and thus ended up doing more than they should have.

Good for them.

Kuan Yang then called for slippers, bottles and cones, mixing them together and getting... the triangle-pass. First-timers, quick and short passes around the one-stick long spaces between the three objects. This was to train players to move right after releasing the ball, and not just stand at the same spot, waiting.

With still no keepers in the horizon, the players did their snakes and shooting drills keeper-less. Again, Kuan Yang expected the players to score over the one tiny bench that guarded the goal. Two, yes, a very clear two pushups were waiting for those who missed a shot.

Megan, the two-goal hero of Frontliners 300, somehow preferred to shoot at the CM, Agong, and Ladies way above the goal.

And just before match-time was the killer-pass.

In the game, although the seniors had the edge over the juniors, it was who else but Michael who broke the deadlock with a great drag shot into a keeper-less goal. The seniors, however, quickly increased their tempo and ran out comfortable winners.

And finally, after training, most of the players bundled into Kuan Yang and Roselyn's cars to watch Bullets play against Phoenix.