Looking To The Future

In view of moulding Redbacks into a bona fide premier social team, a team uniform will be procured for overseas trips. Bai deserves credit for searching all of Johor for a good bargain. We will be ordering two team polo tees (one red and one white) and a logo iron-on. The price? A measly $35. Players who have not given their sizes please do so to Bai by this week.

In other news, Azhar observed that some changes need to be made in order for the team to move forward. Even though we are playing social football, we should look to constantly improve as a team. We have been quite disappointed with the recent attendances. We understand that some players have work commitments to attend to and we respect that. However, there are others who choose to come on their own terms. “I’m there if I feel like it, if I’m not then too bad” type of players. It’s not fair for us to continue holding out on these players when there are other players out there who are willing to don the red jersey on a more regular basis.

For players who can’t commit themselves on a regular basis, it’s best that they approach the exco to help iron out these issues. It’s alright if you can only make it on alternate weeks, however, there is a need to synchronize our timetables so that not too many players are out for that particular week. As a result, please understand if we decide to inject new players or if you find yourself limited minutes.

We will be taking part in the next season of the AFL. However, our continued presence at ADSS is currently doubtful. If we are unable to secure the rights to use the field, we will have to pay the full admission fee for the league which is $1400. Based on the current roster of 25 players, each player is expected to pay about $56 and we will be required to travel to pitches all over the island.

Therefore, the next few months will be a critical period for the team. Let’s face it, we’ve been blessed to have a field to call our own. We have been playing for close to nothing for the past three years. Then again, changes will take place and we have to adapt to them. We hope all Spiders continue to reaffirm their commitment to the Redbacks’ cause. Let’s stick through it all, thick and thin.

Go Redbacks!

Bend It Like Bec-kai-m!

Redbacks: 4
YV United: 4

Scorers: Mokhsaini (2), Aiman, Kai

The Redbacks welcomed the reigning AFL champions YV United to the Spiders’ Web this week. Perhaps daunted by the prospect of facing the mighty champions, several Spiders went missing for the match. For the umpteenth time this month, we had just enough players prior to kick-off.

The Spiders who were present were lively and looked game for the challenge ahead. Mokhsaini broke his goalscoring drought to score the opener. He ran onto a through ball by Nordin. Using his superlative speed, he managed to beat the goalkeeper to the ball and lofted the ball into the empty net. His striker partner, Aiman, continued his fine form as he ran onto Nordin’s pass and struck a fierce scorcher into the roof of the net to give the Redbacks an unexpected 2 goal lead.

YV United then showed the Spiders why they are the champions by forcing themselves back into the game. Bob committed a foul in the penalty box and YV pulled one goal back. Another counter attack by YV would see their striker catching our goalkeeper off the line and applied a sweet finish to level the scores.

In the second half, YV picked up where they left off. Some hesitant defending allowed them to score a third and not long after, Sani unfortunately handled the ball in the penalty area. YV made no mistake, netting from their second penalty of the afternoon. The champions were seemingly on the way to another victory.

However, as if inspired by the difficulties the team had to endure recently, the Spiders launched a comeback of our own. Mokhsaini played a neat one-two with Aiman before coolly finishing to keep us in the hunt. Several chances went begging as Redbacks continued to hunt for that elusive equalizer. At the same time, we had to deal with some menacing attacks by our visitors too.

Mokhsaini was then brought down at the edge of the box. After seeing some free kicks squandered, Kai volunteered to take the kick. Hours of practice paid off as he curled an unstoppable effort into the top corner of the net, proving he can hit something other than penalties! (Sorry, can’t help myself here.) Redbacks held out to earn a deserved draw against YV United. A memorable match indeed!

Lucky Breaks Give Redbacks Win

Redbacks: 2
Rain United: 1

Scorers: Kai (p), Own goal

The Spiders’ AFL campaign got back on track as we snapped a 3 game losing streak to beat Rain United by the slimmest of margins. A couple of lucky breaks gave us the win, but our stand in keeper Sharizan deserves the greatest praise of all for pulling off some miraculous saves to deny our visitors.

Rain United made their intentions known as they scored from their first meaningful attempt on target. A Rain United striker stooped low to nod a diving header past Sharizan. The Redbacks surged forward to find the equalizer but our finishing was off key once again. Then, Aiman was brought down in the box. The referee may have awarded a soft penalty but there was nothing soft about the kick itself. Kai opted for power as he smashed the ball into the roof of the net. That was how things stayed until half time.

In the second half, things got really heated as both teams searched for the winning goal. In the end, the Spiders prevailed. Nordin punted a free kick into the penalty area. A Rain United defender, under intense pressure from Imran, knocked the ball past his own keeper. There were many tense moments afterwards, but Sharizan stood tall against the challenges. When the referee blew the final whistle, the Redbacks rejoiced at gaining the 3 points gained in a truly gargantuan effort.

At the same time, we would like to wish the Rain United player who suffered a knee injury a speedy recovery. Hope to see you kicking again soon.

Goalkeeping Woes

Redbacks: 3
Ottawa Serpents: 8

Scorers: Rizal (p), Aiman (p), Own goal

Redbacks continue to suffer from the absence of a competent goalkeeper. With Irwan injured, Fauzi unavailable and no trialist present, Kai had to step into goal. He did well to concede 8 goals over the course of the match. At least he was able to complete the game relatively injury-free! One has to wonder how much goals would he have conceded had he not trained before kick off.

Attendance problems also plagued the team as only 11 players were present. It’s disheartening to see numerous players staying away from the match. We had to do with what we had. Against a team overflowing with talent like the Serpents, it will always be an uphill task. Serpents scored 4 goals in each half. The Spiders could only reply by scoring 2 penalties and an own goal. We were unfortunate not to score more as we had chances and Jaz missed a penalty in the first half.

We will be hoping for better displays of goalkeeping and attendance in our next game. It will be another friendly. Hopefully we will be better prepared for our two final AFL games. Let’s end the season in a flourish.

Redbacks at the National Stadium

Irwan Out For Season!

The Spiders have been rocked by the news of Irwan not being available for the rest of the year. A visit to the specialist confirmed that Irwan has sustained a groin tear that will put the defender/goalkeeper out of action for at least 3 months. Irwan did vow to recover as quickly as possible and will continue coming down to support the Spiders.

We, the Redbacks, wish Irwan a speedy recovery and hope to see Irwan in action soon.

No Upswing In Sight

Redbacks: 1
Damai Rovers: 3

Scorer: Aiman

Things got from bad to worse for the Redbacks this week. Still reeling from the disappointing disappearance of our goalkeeper, we suffered our third consecutive AFL defeat. The turnout was disappointing. Only 13 players turned up for the match. The injury curse continued to plague our trialist goalkeeper as he limped off after about 15 minutes on the pitch. Irwan came into goal and put up a brave effort. However, there was little he could do when Damai scored the first goal of the game.

Redbacks managed to pull one back though. Jaz managed to find space on the right flank and his low cross was met by Aiman at the far post. The striker stroked the ball into an empty net to score his 15th goal of the competition.  The Spiders continued to press on, looking to grab the lead. Unfortunately, Damai scored through a counter attack after foiling yet another Redbacks’ attack.

The Spiders tried reverting to a 4-4-2 formation. Yet again, the formation failed to inspire the team. Damai scored a third to end any hope of the Redbacks getting back into the game. Let’s hope for a better result next time out.

Appointment of Club Positions

In an effort to lighten the load of club manager Nahar, the team had an emergency meeting after the match against Damai Rovers this evening. We would like to thank the following players for stepping up to the plate and volunteering their services to the team.

I give you the commitee members of Redbacks Football Club.

Manager: Nahar
Captain: Azhar
Secretary: Khairil
Treasurer: Azam
Logistics and Procurement: Sham and Bai

We hope this segregation of duties will help the Spiders improve as a team in many years to come.