Monday, July 05, 2004
3 - 4
What a pathetic score. Despite playing our hearts out as most would have, the scoreline still reveals a painful truth - we lost. Well, for all the training & trial sessions we had, and all the sharpening of skills on the courts, our team just wasn't enough to overhaul the council lead. Disappointment. We didn't underestimate our opponents, the fact is that we weren't good enough, & results never lie.
What's heartening is at half-time the score being 1 - 3 disfavour of us, we still came back & put in an outstanding performance in the 2nd half. Miles of improvement made to our game today, tactically & experience wise, our team definately benefitted from this match. Most would say if we had actually gave in a 2nd half performance for the entire match, we would most probably emerge as winners. But "ball is round" theory tells that nothing in soccer is for sure.
Undeniably, disappointment. The build-up to the game was immense. The way we viewed this game. Its importance. We had placed so much emphasis on this game. It was simply disheartening for us to lose. Hard work pays for nothing in the end?
Personal highlights of the match.
A through-ball from CJ sends Ivan thru with only mootz to beat. Mootz & a fellow defender challenges for the ball with Ivan & with a nod Ivan puts it past mootz into the back of the net. GOAL!
A free-kick just outside the penalty box. I decided to haf a try & sent in a cross to the far corner. Both defenders & strikers fail to make any contact with the ball & the ball flew just wide of the post. MISS!
Another free-kick outside the penalty area. I decided to have a chance at goal since the box was crowded by the defenders. Fortunately for us, mootz's punch at the ball wasn't enough to stop it hovering into the back of the net. Fluke goal. GOAL!
The score was sealed at 2 - 4 disfavour of us. But on kick off the ball was laid to Biao who then fired a long distance pass-shot towards the goal. Ivan & me chases for the ball and mootz gets to it first, but spills it. The ball falls perfectly for CJ but much is left undone. A beautiful volley by CJ puts the ball into the net beyond the reach of the defending team. GOAL!
Towards the dying minutes of the match with the scoreline at 3 - 4, CJ passes to me who then run towards the box, avoiding two defenders. With the goal mouth at my mercy, my weaker left foot is unable to get around the ball & thus sent the ball wide of the top corner. Leonard & Ivan stood waiting unmarked around in the box, staring in disbelief. MISS!
From this match, the results tells it all. A closely battled game with occasionally clashes between certain outspoken members of the teams. But otherwise a game played with true sportsmanship. No doubt a defeat left our hopes & expectations shattered, the experience & many other things learnt will be greatly remembered. Awaits the next clash with council, it'll be a more exciting match.
History has demonstrated that the most notable winners usually encountered heartbreaking obstacles before they triumphed. They won because they refused to become discouraged by their defeats.
- B. C. Forbes
