This week is a special week. With the PBSM court not available, Coach Jason decided to organize a friendly match with Contact Sports at the always ‘Far Far Away’ Balik Pulau Indoor Stadium which is situated at the outskirt of Penang Island.
It was 2.30 pm, a hot and boiling Sunday afternoon, but the excitement and anticipation that awaits both teams was unrivaled as compared to the heat of the mighty sun.. The friendly match was a 3 x 20 minutes, 5 aside (excluding goalie) on a full international size court with fiber boards. Frontliners fielded 2 boy lines and 2 girl lines whereas Contact fielded 3 lines ups with a few girls.
As players arrived at the arena, suited up and warmed up, Coach Jason gathered all the players for briefing. “Today this match, is not about winning and I have no strategy. Today, everyone will play, boys and girls, no matter what.” Said the Coach, “but I have 2 missions today.
One, is to have FUN! And second is to see the FRONTLINERS SPRIT!!” Coach goes on and explained that most of us are new to the game, if not being the first time playing in an actual size court or playing with 5 aside. Furthermore, the opponents are technically and experience wise more superior than us with a few State Players in their ranks. Therefore, giving the new fellas opportunity to gain more match experience was what the Coach had in mind.
After the briefing, players were split into the following line-ups:
Goalie: Sharron
Line 1: Jason(c), Kuan Yang, Kai Yann, Joshua , Mekananth
Line 2: San Jeevan(c), Ilaya Pumaren, Christopher Anand, Nareenthiran, Kannan
Line 3: Serene Tan(c), Sheryn Ng, Sarah Aida, Pei Li, Roselyn
Line 4: Shafiqah(c), Koay Yi Lin, Seow Zi Yin, Seow Kai Liang, June Kew
At 3pm, the referee, Steven Teh whistled to signal both teams to get on the court. Face off, game on!!
1st Period
With everyone’s energy bar at full, it was a end to end game in the first. Players were going for every ball, pushing for every attack. With the Pastor Edward, Henry Chiang and little Bryant forming Contact’s attacks, it was not surprise as they drew first blood within first 5 minutes.
However, with the passionate captain cum coach leading Frontliners’ 1st line, Contacts lead was cancelled from Kuan Yang’s shot.
2nd line did fare as well as the 1st as they conceded another goal from Contact’s counter-attack. With all the forwards going Gung Ho, the defense was left vulnerable and was meant to be breach more than once if not for goalie Sharron’s super efforts. End of 1st period, Frontliners down by 1-2.
2nd Period
2nd period was not any better for Frontliners. Although the 1st and 2nd line press forward, they struggle to break through a defense marshaled by Kenny, James and Penny. Kenny as one of the most experience around gave a solid performance on that day, keeping experience players like Kuan Yang and Jason quiet. He even stunned the Reds with a striking goal from a powerful drag shot.
The 2 girls’ lines being physically inferior compared to the almost all guys line up of Contact, was under pressure for most of the time. Being held in their half, it was nail-biting watching them held on as they kept tight and kept out shots which seemed to beat the goalie. Sharron the goalie was equally superb with some great saves preventing Frontliners from falling further behind.
At the end of 2nd period, Frontliners fell further behind 1-5, with Contact having a 4 goal cushion.
Everyone was demoralize but Coach Jason encouraged the players on and said, “We’re only 4 goals down. Lets try and back the 4 goals.” And to salvaged The Frontliners’ pride in the last period, the Coach made bold move by forming 2 strongest line, being
Line 1: Jason, Kuan Yang, Joshua, Mekananth, San Jeevan
Line 2
Serene Tan, Christopher, Pei Li/ Ilaya, Kai Yann, Kannan
leaving less experience players out. “I’m sorry to those newcomers but you may not have the chance to play in the 3rd period because we want to play our strongest line to try and get something back from the game.” The coach added. All of the players did not object seemingly that it was the best way for a last throw of dice.
3rd Period
The decision took effect as Frontliners crawled a goal back from Mekananth’s finish. The crowd roars as thought they had won and the players celebrated but the joy did not last long as Contact silenced Frontliners with another goal. An instant reply!
Frontliners continue to fought hard and was rewarded with another goal, this time it was the captain, Jason that coverted.
Fatigue has now take troll as Frontliners seem unable to catch their breaths, and all the hard work to no avail Contact over ran the defense twice in the 3rd period and seal the game with 8 goals. Final Score: Frontliners 3 – Contact Sports 8.
After exchanging hand shakes between both teams, the Coach gathered the players and asked for their comments on the match. Most of them reply it was fun.
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