Redbacks: 4
Black Knights: 1

Venue: Woodgrove Sec Sch
Scorers: Own goal, Jaz, Hilmi, Ming

The Spiders got the perfect preparation for the new season as they thumped Black Knights 4-1. Having been winless for the last 8 games, it was a huge relief to finally get a comfortable win. We also welcomed the return of some old faces in Nordin and Hilmi and two new faces, Wandi and Wan. We turned out in a 3-5-2 formation due to the lack of defensive-minded players. The Three Stooges: Zaini, Bob and Ajiz formed the backline with Azhar, Jaz, Nordin, Ayyub and Wandi started in midfield and Ming and Kai spearheaded the attack.

We managed to settle into the game quickly and passed the ball around with relative ease. We were more adventurous and had more of the possession in the first half. We opened the scoring when a free kick from Nordin was headed in by a Black Knights’ defender. Not the type of goal we wanted but we’ll take it anyway.

In the second half, the game was more open as more speedy players such as Faiz, Aidil and Hilmi was brought into the fray. The Spiders got a second goal out of the blue. Receiving a ball from Azhar via a throw in and with not many choices present to him, Jaz decided to take a crack at goal. Somehow his shot managed to elude the goalkeeper and found itself in the bottom corner of the net.

Sensing a goal rush, the Redbacks poured forward and scored a third goal in the most fortunate circumstances. Wan Jr’s through ball was completely missed by the goalkeeper and Hilmi was the gleeful recipient, knocking the ball into the empty net. Hilmi: he gets the ball, he scores a goal!

Black Knights pulled one back through an incident that would probably be best described as an “Ajiz Moment”. Overindulging on the ball, Ajiz lost possession and through a series of passes, Black Knights scored. The goal seemed to spark our opponents as they attacked with more energy, especially down our right side. Perhaps they were hoping for more “moments” from Ajiz.

Kai and Ming were sent on with specific instructions to slow the game down and deny the opposition space. The game plan worked and we got a bonus when we scored a fourth goal. Faiz’s stinging shot was too hot for the goalkeeper to handle. Ming swiftly nipped the ball from the keeper’s grasp and scored the team’s fourth. However, the defence made a key contribution earlier on, making TWO goalline clearances in quick succession.

The game peppered out in the end and the relief on the Spiders’ faces was all there to be seen. We know that the competition in the league will be much tougher but at least we got a confidence-boosting win. With a big squad of experienced, senior and junior players, we hope to perform credibly in the D2D league. See everyone on the 19th!

Redbacks Football Club would like to wish everyone a Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Maaf Zahir dan Batin. Hopefully Ramadhan has brought great tidings to rahmat to your families and may we meet with the month full of barakah again. Enjoy the festivities but remember to stay fit and report back for duty soon.

With our impending participation in the D2D League, share with the team what are your hopes and asipirations for the coming seasons. What are the personal targets you’re setting yourself? Experts believe that by setting your target and constantly reviewing them, there will be a higher chance of succeeding.

As a team, perhaps these are the targets we can aspire to:

1) Defend better as a team and make ourselves tighter.
2) Improve our first touch and passing.
3) Be more encouraging to one another. (Not that we haven’t. We can always do better, right?)
4) Attack as a team and have better finishing.

How will you use the following season to improve? What do you aim to achieve personally and professionally?

It all starts here..

Redbacks FC had been actively discussing on whether we should be joining the local league. Appreciates the thought and openness which enable RBFC to carve out a policy or outline the requirement as a team to join the league.

Manager and Capt had decided base on the feedbacks and majority, Redbacks FC are in favour of joining the league organise by Dare to Dream. We understood that there’s key issues that need to be address before the we fully commit as a team to the organiser as support from every players are crucial.

Key Issues -1. League fees and funds 2. Playing time 3. Goalkeeper. 4. Attendance.

1. Leagues Fees and Funds - Every player will have to fork out for the game fees, we had decided that those working professionals contributes $10 and Students will have to fork out $5 during every game be it league or non-league through out 2008/2009 season.  Targetting 15 players per game We will have an approximately total average of $120~$130 plus or minus depending on the attendance on that day. Which will cover the game cost and save up for the upcoming event such as oversea game, drinks first aid stuff etc.

2. Playing Time - As for Hisham had mentioned during our conversation on the league issue, quote ”hopefully we don’t become very overly competitive until some players got no chance to play” unquote. We do realise the passion involved on playing, what we can promise to everyone is that every player will have a minimum  of 40min or 45min of game time, no matter what the circumstance and the outcome of the game wil be.

3. Goalkeeper - Currently Fauzy has been the recognise keeper for last season, and Aki and Raizal has been the stand in Keeper.  We are getting Zaini’s friend to commit and trying to get hold of Shahrizan. In the meantime the plan is as per last season.

4. Attendance - Still banging on the Driver Khai, Aziz, Ayyub, Sani, Hisham to make sure desired attendance under their charge. We had survived avoiding last minute no show thus far, lets do not break this record.

Current Players - Azam, Azhar, Hisham, Khai, Sani, Aziz, Ayyub, Fauzy, Redwan, Jaz, Aidil, Aki, Irwan, Bob, Zaini, Ming, Faiz, Raizal, Moktar. 

Tentative Players - Faizal, Taufik, Ayat, Aiman and Hilmi.

We felt from the number of the abovementioned players we should comfortably have the targetted 15 players every Sunday 5pm.

We hope every Spider understood what are we in for, the costs incurred and agreeable to the requirements slated for the upcoming season and we hope not to have surprises. Still we will respect any decision from anyone on the take of us joining the league and policies carved out. On that aspect do not leave RBFC in the dark, do inform Manager or Capt on any decision, we’ll respect and still have the continual friendship. We are not just a team we are a fraternity, we are weekend brothers the extended family, remember that.

Salamz, Capt

As Captain mentioned, the first game of the season was tough. After the departure of then founder and manager Nahar and the loss of our hallowed home turf, Admiralty Secondary School, many wondered if the Spiders would last a few months, let alone till the end of the season. However, once again the passion of the players refused to let Redbacks die. Instead our legend continues as a unique social football team continued to grow.

Our participation in the AFL was brief, but the team learned a lot of lessons from the league. The last-gasp victory against Benedetto and the 9-2 thrashing we suffered in the hands of Warriors were just some of the performances that will be remembered for very different reasons. The defeat against Warriors was especially stinging as it came after we notched three consecutive victories, scoring 13 goals in the process.

Talking about goals, the biggest void to fill was the one left by super striker Aiman. We lost our lightning-quick forward to an unfortunate suspension. Many players were thrown forward in the hope of finding the next scoring superstar for the Redbacks. The constant chopping and changing prompted  various players to weigh in with a goal or two. Realizing that we did not have a one-man scoring machine, we had to. Hilmi emerged as a prime candidate, scoring 9 goals to shoot up the goalscoring charts. Unfortunately, we lost him to National Service.

It was only around the middle of the season when the unlikely pairing of Ayyub and Kai was first tested out. In the game against Red Knights, the two forwards contributed 3 goals and 2 assists in the 5-1 victory. The pair has never looked back since. Ayyub, in particular, was the standout performer of the season, scoring 18 goals and providing 9 assists, leading the team in both statistics. Kai returned his best goal tally ever for the Redbacks, adding 10 goals and 4 assists to the team. With the impending return of Aiman for the next season, things are looking rosy up-front.

However, the midfield should not be forgotten too. When the strikers are having an off-day, the midfielders truly stepped up their game. Captain Azhar, Jaz, Faiz, Ming, Mok and Aki combined to contribute a whopping 33 goals and 26 assits! The midfield has been a crucial factor to the Redbacks’ performances this season. With Irwando, Zaini, Abang Sani, Azam and Wan Jr contributing the odd goal, we have a record number of goalscorers in a season (17). We hope to see continued all-round contributions in the coming season.

The overseas trips were as always, the highlights of every season. We conquered Thomas Veterans in Kluang and almost did the same against Penyabong in Mersing. Matches aside, the trips allowed the players to get to know one another better, bond and of course, have tons of fun. Kudos to the organizing committee for making the trips happen. We are looking forward to more exotic locations in the near future. Batam, Bali or Bangkok perhaps?

As the season closes, we bid a fond farewell to the following Spiders who have left the team for pastures new:
1) Imran (left for Northstars): An uncanny knack for popping up with a goal or two.
2) Ahmad (left for Northstars): The definitive left-back for the Spiders. He will be missed.
3) Sharm Bai (left for Northstars): A fiery player in the field, eternal joker off it.
4) Nordin (injury): We hope it’s a temporary goodbye, hoping to see him back again.
5) Sharizan (professional development): We hope he makes his mark in the pros.

As players leave, new ones make their mark in the team:
1) Ayyub - Top scorer and assist provider. Need I say more?
2) Faiz - Comfortable across the midfield. Determined player.
3) Ming - Twisting, turning and full of running.
4) Faizal - Promising gem in defensive midfield. Wears his heart on his sleeve.

Of course, the senior players of the team such as Azhar, Azam, Abang Sani, Bob, Ajis and Hisham continue to perform consistently when called upon, forming the bedrock of the team. Without these accomplished players, it would be hard to upkeep the Redbacks’ style of play.

33 games later: 13 won, 8 drew, 12 lost, 100 goals scored and 87 goals conceded. All stats point to ONE great season. ONE that we can build upon and ONE which just helps us look forward to the next ONE.

Go Redbacks!
Hidup Redbacks!
Redbacks FOREVER!!!

The season kicked off with first game against Benedetto FC that we won 3 – 2  with a last minute goal that set off a memorable season. Remembered the game started with 10 men, prompted the thought that the season would end abruptly maybe half way due to lack of support and committed players. Without a Manager to lead the team, the luxury of having a our regular turf to call our home ground was gone and whole lot of undesired incidents revolving within the team which frankly prompted me to throw in the towel.

Yet we survived the ups and downs with the support identified in groupings which was led by a passionate leader observed as the driver within the group.

Namely;

Khai’s - Jaz, Aki, Aidil

Ayyub’s - Ming, Faiz, Moktar, Raizal

Sani’s - Irwan, Faizal

Hisham’s - Ridwan, Fauzy, Shahrizan

Aziz’s – Bob, Zaini

Myself and our wonderful Manager Azam, with our small contribution to hold the team together, and got everyone to bond as family, a family that always looked forward to get together every weekend for a game of soccer.

What amazes me, we came from different generation, the Baby boomers, Gen X, Gen Y and even Gen Z, in which any organization will have a hard time for the four generation to bond and engaged liked the way we have. Salute you guys for making this happen, there’s a sense of achievement by itself with this bondage of four generation. It’s freaking unique.

Special mention to Khai for tirelessly updated those game reports and Nureen whom added the special spice to the team with the photo taking which opened up another dimension for Redbacks FC. Thank you.

Looking forward for 2008/2009 season with you guys and wishes everybody a Happy Ramadhan.

Sincerely,

Capt_07

Peace, Love and Respect

A special man of such stature deserves an art piece all to himself… Jeng jeng jeng!

The Don of the Spiders...

For those who with to get the full-size image of this potrait, leave your comment with your email address provided so that I can email it to you. It was too big to display here, thus the reduced quality. This image rocks as a wallpaper! I assure you!!

Redbacks: 1
Refugees: 4

Venue: Queensway Sec Sch
Scorer: Mok

Not the way we wanted to end the season. However, there would have been no match. Thanks to the persistence of our captain, the organizer managed to arrange another match with another team which also had their match cancelled.

The team struggled on a really small pitch. With our opponents enthusiasm and energy, it made the match more challenging. With some dodgy refereeing, we were really facing an uphill task. The defence really struggled without the presence of the ill Abang Sani. We conceded an own goal and some abject defending meant that the chances kept falling and the goals kept coming.

Only Mok’s equalizer (which happened to be our 100th goal of this season) brought some gloss to the team’s performance. Receiving the ball from Jaz, he embarked on one of his trademark runs down the left flank. The attention of the accompanying defender only helped to deflect his effort over the keeper and into the goal. We had many chances to make the match a closer affair, but once again, poor finishing let us down.

At least we can put the recent performances behind us and look forward to next season. We’re still very much in the rebuilding process, with the influx of many new players and the departure of long-serving Spiders. Hopefully, we will be able to build and improve in the future. Regardless, it’s been a great season.

We wish all Muslims all over the world a fulfilling and blessed Ramadhan. Semoga amalan-amalan anda diterima Allah dan hidup anda diberkati sentiasa. We will be taking a break and resume hopefully by the 3rd week of Syawal. In the meantime, keep fit and make the most of this month full or barakah.

Even though the team is taking a break, do look forward to futsal sessions that will be planned. We hope to see good attendance from everyone. I will also be typing out some articles for your enjoyment over the next few weeks, starting with the Season Review that will be up by the end of next week. Long live Redbacks!

What is a Redbacks overseas trip without some zany, crazy and downright disturbing videos!

First up, we have a Singapore Idol reject, entertaining himself in the causeway crunch.

Guess we know why he never became the next Taufik Batisah…

That night, resident club jokers, Jaz, Irwando and Kai gang up on new boy Aidil. Since Aki wasn’t there, we decided to improvise.

Welcome to the team, Aidil. Hahahaha.

Finally, inspired by the nature around him, I decided to search for the elusive Snoring Malayan Bear in the wilderness of Mersing. Needless to say, I was not disappointed.

Leave your comments. Until the next trip!