Tied Up Again

Redbacks: 2
KB United: 2

Venue: Bishan Park Sec Sch

Scorers: Kai, Ayyub

Once again, the Spiders let victory slip from our hands, allowing our opponents to equalize twice in the game. Credit to our opponents though, they thoroughly deserved it with an intense display of desire and discipline. We welcome Mok back into the team after a long absence due to paternity leave.

In the first half, both team tried hard to make headway into the game. Chances were few and far in between. Fauzi Lehmann was called into action a few times and stood tall. Our offense lacked a cutting edge and we were unable to trouble the goalkeeper. A half-time team talk sorted that out as we headed out for the second half.

The first goal was scored when Azhar Ballack had his shot blocked by a KB defender. The ball bounced towards Kai Klose. Even though the build-up was messy, there was no such nature in the finish. Kai took his time to whip the ball into the bottom corner of the net through a sea of players. Manic celebrations ensued with Kai mimicking a celebration made popular by ex-Indonesian striker Rocky Phutiray.

KB got their equalizer when Fauzi palmed away an effort into the path of an opposing player. We have to admit that KB had been knocking on our door before they made the breakthrough. We should really stop gifting goals to our opponents. Haha.

We would score what many would believe to be the winner. Once again, Azhar was involved, playing a through ball to Ayyub Podolski. Our top scorer kept his cool and applied a superb finish. We were confident that our defense would be able to keep KB out.

But it was not meant to be. KB laid siege on the Spiders’ goal and duly got their equalizer when one of their players flicked the ball into the net after some confusion at the back. The game almost took an ugly turn when Faiz got involved in a minor scuffle with one of their players. Thankfully no player saw red and the referee brought a competitive game to an ultimately fair conclusion.

Azhar commended the team, saying that we are beginning to see our “true colours”. “We must continue pitting ourselves against stronger opponents. That way, we will be able to improve our game and become better as players.” Touche captain…

Redbacks Legend XI!

This is our 4th year together. Just for fun, name your best ever Redbacks Eleven. Past and present. This is what you need to include:

a) Formation

b) Players and a short write-up on why this player was chosen. Name your first 11 and 5 substitutes.

Let me give you an example.

Kai’s Legend Eleven
Formation: 3-4-3

Goalkeeper:
Sharizan: Arguably the best shot-stopper we ever had.

Defenders:
Abang Sani: First player on my team sheet. A man mountain. Iron man and unbeatable.
Bob: Robust, aggressive, fiery. Strikes fear in his opponents.
Irwando: Excellent tackler. Physical and versatile too.

Midfielders:
Azhar: Captain Marvel and superman. Heartbeat of the team.
Nordin: Best long-range passer I’ve seen. Hardworking and never gives in.
Jaz: He’s made the right side of the midfield his own after so many years. Creative and has good vision.
Rohaizat: Comfortable and confident. Excellent dead-ball and dribbling skills. Has a calming influence.

Strikers:
Rizal: Skillful and hardworking. Clinical finisher.
Aiman: 30+ goals in a year. Pacy. Need I say more?
Mokhzani: The Terminator. Super fast and at his peak, a devastating finisher.

Substitutes:.
Khairi (goalkeeper): Solid and has an imposing presence.
Azam (defender): Can play across the back and reliable when on form.
Ayyub (midfielder/forward): Versatility and work-rate is an asset to the team.
Aki (midfielder): Once voted Player of the Year. Can play in goal. Need him to win free-kicks and penalties.
Kai (midfield/forward): Hey! It’s my team! I should be in here! Hahah.

Many players have been worthy to be on this list. It’s difficult for me to leave out some names. It made me realize how many talented players have pulled on the red jersey of the Redbacks. This is a tribute to them. Without the past, there will be no present. Without the present, there would be no future.

Leave your team in the comments!

Go Redbacks!

Aki Invites You…

What?
His sister’s wedding

When?
Sunday, 22nd June 2008
He requests us to be there after Zohor.

Where?
Blk 700B, Ang Mo Kio Ave 6, #02-320, S(562700)
Directions: As far as I know, it is walking distance from Ang Mo Kio MRT station.

We hope to see everyone there. Any queries, please call myself. Tentatively, I should be going between 1 to 2pm. After that, I will head to Xinmin Sec for our game.

The Co-Ming of the Wan: Bai-Aki Kai-Jaz

Redbacks: 5
High Light: 0

Venue: Sengkang Sec Sch
Scorers: Ming (p), Aki (2), Kai, Bai

Like the heading? It’s a combination of the names of those who contributed to the goals as scorers or assist provider. It is also happens to be a pun on a name of a local footballer. Know who he is? Not that he’s any good. However, do not be deceived. Everyone played an immense part in this victory. At kick-off, we only had 9 players. Thankfully, Bob, Irwando and Wan Jr made belated but much appreciated appearances. With Fauzi between the sticks, a makeshift defense of Bob, Bai, Abang Sani and Raizal was formed. Kai partnered Faiz in the middle with Jaz and Ming operating on the wings as usual. Irwando got his chance to play upfront with Aki.

The first half was scrappy. Neither team got a chance to play any form of decent football. Ming showed his continued maturing with a piece of brilliance at the end of the half. He bamboozled his way past defenders and in sheer desperation, a defender hacked him down and we were awarded a penalty. Urged on by fellow players, Ming dusted himself off and hit a firm penalty to put us ahead at half-time. From now onwards, players who earn the penalty will be given the privilege to take the penalty. If they wish, they can choose to give it to someone else.

Things got really interesting in the second half. Wan Jr went on a marauding run down the right wing and found Aki with a good pass. Spotting the goalkeeper slightly out of position, Aki curled the ball into the bottom corner of the net. The keeper got a hand to it but could not keep it out.

He got another goal midway through the second half. Receiving the ball from midfield, he made space for himself, riding a few tackles along the way. He hit a firm shot which took a deflection before finding the back of the goal. It was at that moment that the floodgates started to open.

We got our fourth goal through some excellent interplay between Jaz and the returning Bai. Bai held off pressure from a defender before teeing the ball for Kai outside the penalty area. The striker hit a scorcher with his left foot and the ball found the roof of the net.

Bai got into the scoring act himself. Beating the offside trap superbly, he latched onto a through ball from Jaz. With the keeper to beat, he showed great awareness and intelligence to lift the ball over the onrushing keeper for the team’s final goal in a memorable rout. Dear Bai, you have been missed.

Special mention goes to the defenders for repelling wave after wave of attack. Abang Sani marshaled the defense superbly and Raizal’s cool style brought calm to the backline. Bob was imposing as always and Bai showed great adaptability in his left back role. Wan Jr was solid and hard-to-beat. Irwando was commanding and robust, proving he is still a force to be reckoned with, at the back that is.

Faiz virtually carried the midfield with his tireless running and selfless plays. His enthusiasm was contagious and it radiated to his fellow midfielders. Jaz showed great intelligence and experience, making the ball do the work for him. Ming is a first-class pest, to his opponents that is. Bai excelled when reintroduced as a defensive midfielder. It’s great to see Aki regain his scoring touch, may it continue.

Fauzi, congratulations on the clean sheet. When called into action, you pulled off some magnificent saves. Just stop staring at the ball when it bounces off the post next time. Heh.

I salute all of you, I’m glad that you guys are on my team. Wouldn’t want to come up against you guys that’s for sure!

Go Redbacks!

Uzbekistan in Disguise?

Redbacks: 5
Red Knights: 1

Venue: Canberra Sec Sch

Scorers: Kai, Ayyub (2), Jaz, Azhar

A resounding win for the Spiders. We attacked with enthusiasm and purpose and we could have replicated the mighty Uzbeks in their match against the Lions if our finishing had been more precise. After 2 weeks of rain off, it’s good to finally get onto the pitch and let off some steam. Only 12 Spiders turned up, with no goalkeeper. Aki gamely volunteered to be the custodian of the day and surprised many with his solid performance. Versatility is after all a Redback trait.

Thankfully we somehow had players who were made for every position in our 4-4-2 formation. Wan Jr, Abang Sani, Izat and Bob formed the backline. Azhar and Faiz were in the engine room with Jaz and Ming roaming down the flanks and Azam’s desire to see Ayyub and Kai up front was realized. Unfortunately, our gaffer was not there to witness it. One of the many Spiders unable to make the game.

Kai opened the scoring early in the first half. Jaz’s through ball was chased by Kai and the goalkeeper. The goalkeeper intended to catch the ball but when he realized he was too far out of the penalty area, he made a complete mess of it. Kai capitalized by kicking the ball through the keeper’s legs and into the goal.

Red Knights equalized after some persistent forays on our left side. Their winger managed to break away from the attention on our defenders and finished past Aki at his near post. We had a game on our hands.

We managed to go into the break with a lead. Kai peeled away on the left side of the pitch after receiving the ball from Azhar. He hit a low ball across the penalty area and the chance was grabbed by Ayyub. Reacting the quickest, he smashed the ball into the roof of the net, giving the Redbacks a precious lead.

A third goal was obtained early in the second half. A classic counter attack involving Ayyub, Kai and Jaz. Holding the ball up in attack, Ayyub fed the ball to Kai. Spotting Jaz’s run, Kai hit a defense-splitting pass down the middle of the field. Despite the attention of defenders and with the goalkeeper coming out to tighten the angle, Jaz kept his cool and lifted the ball over the keeper to put us further ahead. A classy finish and definitely the goal of the match as observed by Captain Azhar.

After squandering numerous chances where we hit the woodwork twice, we pulled further ahead to put the game beyond doubt. Faiz found Ayyub with an intelligent diagonal ball. After twisting and turning to escape the attention of his marker, Ayyub hit a fantastic shot that beat the goalkeeper at his near post. With that goal, he is now officially the top scorer of the Redbacks, the first player to reach 10 goals this year.

The Redbacks were not done yet. This time, our captain weighed in with a goal of his own. Ayyub’s cross found Azhar in the box. After riding a defender’s tackle, it seemed that the moment was lost. Ultimately, our captain unleashed a powerful shot of his own, beating the goalkeeper at his near post.. again. The captain, obviously pleased, treated the players to his “aeroplane-flying” celebration. “Jack, I’m flying…”

Azhar had this to say of the victory, “Our movement was better today, giving us space to find each other with our short passes. A few of our players should have scored hat-tricks today but overall I think we did well. On the flip side, I do hope that Spiders who have been absent recently tell us of their status, whether they’re interested to turn up for our matches. We can’t continue having such attendance for future matches.”

Positions Defined: The Defensive Midfielder

Welcome to the second installment of this occasional segment. Today, we look at the role of the defensive midfielder.

A wise man once said, “You cannot have 4 workhorses across the field, neither can you have 4 ballerinas.” That person clearly meant that in a good midfield, there is a need to have a mix of talents. One of these talents is the defensive midfielder, also known as the enforcer, destroyer, water-carrier and the engine room of the team.

Relatively a thankless job, this player is usually the “least gifted” of the midfielders, but he’s usually the one who works the hardest for the team. He may not be blessed with dribbling skills or sublime passing, however he makes up for it with great presence, tackling and aggression.

His job scope includes the following
1) Staying deep to provide cover for the defenders and at the same time, form a link to attack.
2) Winning the ball in midfield to prevent opponents from controlling the rhythm of the game.
3) Supporting the attack when good opportunity arises.
4) Stifling the creative force of the opposing side, denying him the chance to exert his influence on the game.

These were the proverbial hardmen of the sport, typified by players such as Vinnie Jones, Paul Ince and Roy Keane in the 90s. It’s no surprise that this role found its roots in good ol’ England, the land of aggressive football. Soon other leagues employed this position, with France’s Claude Makele proving to be the definitive defensive midfielder.

Over time, the position got redefined. Defensive midfielders need not be overly aggressive. They just needed to be comfortable playing from deep. Andrea Pirlo of Italy, Michael Carrick and Owen Hargreaves of England and Argentina’s Javier Mascherano combine defensive qualities as well as good ball playing skill and devastating long range passing.

Either way, the defensive midfielder is one that no team can do without.