RAIN UNITED
FOOTBALL CLUB
[ Friendly Matches - January 2007 ]
Date / Time : 05th January 2007 (Friday) / 1700 hrs
Where : Woodleigh Pitch (Toa Payoh)
Who : Public Utilities Board vs Rain United
Final Score : 2 -1
The rating for the match against PUB are as follows:-
Nelson Lo (5)
Jeremy Lo (5)
Kenny Lim (5)
Gan Poh Ling (5)
Dr DongRui (5)
Pako (6)
Anand (5)
Razzali (5)
Lim Jia He (5)
Randy Zee (5)
Sabastian (2)
Randy Chua (5)
Anthony (5)
Bernard (5)
Kazi (5)
Cao Yuan (5)
Date / Time : 21st January 2007 (Sunday) / 1530 hrs
Where : SJI Pitch (Malcolm Road)
Who : Old Boys' Association vs Rain United
Final Score : 2 - 4
The rating for the match against the OBA are as follows:-
Nelson Lo (7)
Thit Lwin (7)
Pako (8)
Sabastian (3)
Anand (6)
Shang Pei (7)
Razzali (7)
Zul (7)
Long (8)
Kenny (8)
Kazi (8)
DongRui (5)
Jia He (5)
Cao Yuan (4)
Jeremy Lo (5)
Syahril Sazali (6)
Randy Zee (6)
Rain United will kick-off the New Year 2007 with its two "AWAY" confirmed friendly matches and another against Kelvin's coaching team from Yusof Ishak, also in January, to be played on a weekday with the dates to be confirm. Are we able to put up a good game against the 2 champions in PUB and the OBA ? Let us go out there, play our best and learn from it. The team line-up will be notify later.
On behalf of Rain United, may I wish everyone a Happy New Year and a healthy 2007 !
Kind Regards
Sabastian
[ Youngstarz, Youngstarz ]
The team and the travelling parents thoroughly enjoyed the trip to KL. The boys had so much energy and were singing and playing throughout. The parents got to know one another better, Mr Aw did his mountain climbs and imparted his skills to the boys while we were on our way home, I have learnt more about football organisational activites, Youngstarz U12 won the championship, while Youngstarz U10 came in third in the tournament but recovered well to beat PKNS, one of the Malaysian's top U10 team convincingly in the friendly. The parents combined with some of the Youngstarz U10 boys beat the Youngstarz seniors by a solitary goal. The entire journey was a breeze.
Apart from our football activities, the boys were seen getting closer to one another, they moved as a team, they squeezed to sleep together, they ate as a team, chanting Majullah Singapura and felt proud playing football as a team. They spent time at the Times Square Fun Park and swam at the Sunway Lagoon after their games, and had made the most out of their trip. The opposition Malaysian teams played their games well and had their share of joining the boys with communications, friendship and gave us a very warmed welcome too.
The parents were teasing one another during the matches when their kids were playing. I gave red card to Razzali for disturbing young Justin when he felt bored and another to Yati (Razzali's other half) for taking pictures in the middle of the field when play was in progress. I took the arrogance to lift my chin up and teased the parents each time Lionel scored and likewise I got my owned back when the other boys scored as well.
At the end of the holiday, the boys were reluctant to part and had asked for another trip. Football Academy of Malaysia (FAM) has extended their invitiation to us for 4 other tournaments to be held in January, March, June and August 2007. I was glad to have met up with Uncle William again and has asked him for directions to help me with some arranged friendly matches either in Malaysia, Thailand or China for Rain United.
The passion for this football trip among travelling parents, kids, coaches and friends were overwhelming.
[ YOUNGSTARZ - CHAMPIONS ]
The youngstarz were an amazing lot with their determination, fighting spirits and high discipline performance to cap their first champion's trophy in the "Friendship Cup" which was held at the Woodlands on 25th & 26th November 2006.
Going into the tournament as an unknown and were the youngest team among the Under 10s' , the Youngstarz boys' did their parents proud pitting their skills and teamwork, against their more elite opponents. Their results were overwhelming and truly unbelieveable.
When the draw was made, both Chris and I knew we were in the toughest group among the other 3 groups. We decided to keep mum and instead motivated the boys to give off their best. Chris and I gave a game plan and decided to take each game at a time. We reshuffled our line-ups. There were a total of 5 teams in each group with the top 2 vying for the semis.
The Youngstarz took on the East Champions in PAC in their first match. Youngstarz won the game 1-0, thanks to a last minute 25m long range shot from Captain Lionel which was deflected into goal. It was a good start. The youngstarz were up against Putra next. The Putra boys consisted players from the SAF Warriors and both teams played to a goalless draw. The 2 teams knew each other strengths and weaknesses too well. Up next were Home United, the defending Champions. Needing a win to qualify, Youngstarz gave their best and were rewarded with another goalless draw. The muddy pitch took too much toil on the boys.
With 5 points from 3 games, Youngstarz were tie for the play-off with the other teams from other groups for the last semi-final slot. Home United had booked their slot in the group. At this stage, the thunderous rain came and the play-off were to be decided the next day. It was a blessing in disguised. I knew the boys were tired and I had another friendly game with Campaign at the CCK Pitch.
Youngstar gathered together on 26th November 2006 at 0730 am. The play-off and the finals has to be decided on this day. Youngstarz were pitted against David Lee's "Eurasian Association" and Fandi Ahmad's "17 Connection" for the last semi final berth. Both Youngstarz and 17 Connection beat EA 1-0 respectively. It was the deciding match - a repeat of the Diadora Cup Tournament where the Youngstarz was beaten on penalties with Lionel's missed.
This was the game Lionel had wanted when he stepped up to me and told me that he will give his best. The game started furiously with both teams exchanging attacks. There was plenty of tackles and pushings from both teams. At the end of the normal time, both teams were deadlocked. The penalty kicks has to be decided again. Parents from Youngstarz remembered the agony of defeat from the Diadora Cup. The players remembered it too. The final score will be decided after 3 penalties from each team.
Irfan took the first penalty and missed. Youngstarz were seen celebrating. Fahmi shot straight into the keeper. The tie was still level. 17 connection converted the next penalty to make it 1-0. Up next my fave player in Syakir, a solid defender whom I have known since his Warriors Kidz Budding Star days. He cooly level the score to 1-1 when he "whacked" the ball into the top right corner of the net. Justin, our goalkeeper dived correctly and made a supered save. It was up to Lionel next to decide the winner.
As he stepped up into the penalty box, Irfan decided to turn goalkeeper. I could not bear to see. The fans and parents from both sides were quiet. Both Lionel and Irfan have always been rivals on the pitch though they are good friends off it. I had reminded Lionel to stay focused. Lionel converted the winning goal with a solid strike onto the top left corner that Irfan couldn't do anything. All the youngstarz players rushed into the pitch and pile onto one another. Lionel stood still and cried. Lionel gave his reasons. Lionel had wanted the goal badly for his previous missed, he had wanted his team to advance to the semis, he wanted to level the score with Irfan. I was proud of him.
The final whistle was blown and Youngstarz marched into the semis. Lionel and the team went on to console the 17 conection boys. They received a standing ovation from the fans and the parents when they bowed. The match was like the final. It was by far the most exciting match in the tournament. Up next, the semi-finals.
The boys were motivated to go all the way. They had come so far this time and they do not want to lose it. In the semis, they were pitted against Home United. Both teams had played to a goalless draw in their earlier group match. The game again ended in a goalless draw and the penalties were to be decided. Justin was the "Man of the Match" with his 2 penalty saves while both Fahmi and Lionel converted the others. Unbelieveable, Youngstarz has marched into the final.
The final pit Youngstarz against Braveheart. The Braveheart boys, managed by former National goalkeeper in Yacob Hashim were the favourites as they had thrashed their opponents convincingly in all the matches that they have played. This was a game when we decided to deployed a "soaked and counter attacked" strategy. The Braveheart boys which were made up with combination of boys from Myanmar, Tibet, Africa and some local boys were far more experienced and bigger than the Youngstarz boys. The boys defended strongly most of the match and again, the penalties has to be decided.
By then, the Youngstarz has already participated in 2 other penalty shootout and were more composed. Fortunately for Youngstarz after they had missed the first penalty, Justin saved the next from Braveheart. Youngstarz converted the following two kicks while Justin save another to give the deserving CHAMPIONS to the YOUNGSTARZ.
Apart from winning the tournament. Youngstarz also created the tournament history by being the first team not to concede any goals in normal time en route to winning the tournament. They had kept a cleaned sheet in 7 matches. The parents were overjoyed and we rewarded the boys with a MacDonald's treat at the nearby shopping arena. The parents thoroughly enjoyed the celebrations together and it was a blessed day to see all parents and kids bonding together as one to enjoy the occasion.
There were lessons learnt and the boys were to resume their training to work on their physics and fitness to prepare for the upcoming and much tougher "Emperor's Cup" Tournament which will be held in Kuala Lumpur on 15th - 17th December 2006. In the meantime, the boys will enjoy being champions and will continue to do better for themselves.
Youngstarz, you have made it! Cheers!
[ Friendly Match - 9th December 2006]
When - 9th December 2006 / 0900 am
Where - CCK Pitch
Who - Rain United (Red) vs Church of St Anthony's (White)
Final Score - 4 - 2
Another re-match before we take a one week break. This time, the opponent hopes to give us a surprise. With more friendlies, I hope Rain United will get more exposure and played better as a team in preparation for the match with the Old Boys' Association which has been arranged on 14th January 2007. Two other matches with Victoria Junior College and Public Utilities Board respectively will be announced when it is finalized.
The team line-up are as follows:-
Leonard Tan (6)
Thit Lwin (7)
Randy Chua (5)
Randy Zee (6)
Shang Pei (7)
Pako (7)
Gan Poh Ling (7)
Chen Qi (6)
Razzali (6)
Kenny (7)
Anand (7)
Cao Yuan (6)
Tan Keng Yong (5)
Lim Jia He (7)
Felix (7)
11th December 2006 - Rain United started the game relatively slowed and trailed with a second minute owned goal through defensive lapse.
After 15 minutes of play, thought that the team was not performing to its ability, I was glad to see Mr Aw coming up to the touch line to offer the team some instructions. The players were not putting up their play together. The team from Church of Saint Anthony's were seen pressing for their second goal.
Mid-way through the first half, thanks to a corner, Rain United equalised from Ah Long. The half-time scored was 1-1.
During the half-time, Mr Aw reminded the team about the team's passing and basic football. Razzali was also pressing for urge to play as a unit. I made some changes for the second half to try out some of the other players.
During the second half of play, we conceded yet another early goal. After another 10 minutes of play, I decided that I should stick to my tested players and deployed a more attacking play. I made changes again; Players whom have train regularly, whom I know what they were capable of producing, that best suited our style of play. I did not want to take risk anymore.
It was back to our normal football soon after. Tony was back to his normal in the flanks, Shang Pei and Kenny gave the opponents plenty to run in their strikers' role, Ah Long was switched to the left flanks to beef up the attacking play, while Pako and Anand controls the midfield. The team finally blends together. Saint Anthony's were fraustrated and were restricted to long range shots, when Rain United was finally playing and defending as a unit. The team piled on the attacks and were rewarded with 3 second half goals to make the final score 4-2.
There is still a long way more before we can take on better opponents. We have to get down to our basics in our throw-ins, fitness level, we were seen losing our sense of directions, pumping unnecessary long balls and passing without focusing in the first half, which can be suicidal. The team needs to blend and train as a whole. Some of the players were not able to understand the basic fundamentals of the football game and its positioning. They need to train regularly.
However, Felix, given his first game after training with us for some time did well in his role. I have long contemplating in wanting to try Felix out in earlier matches but I wanted to take a closer look at his overall interest and discipline. Kenny took instructions to move away from his marker, who was bend on man-marking him and did himself good with a good goal. Jia He played well after a poor match the week before. Max was Mr Reliable as usual. Ah Long needs to cool down. Tony is still not up to MY expectations just yet.
We will take a one week's break before training resumes. With 3 weeks away from the match against the Old Boy's Association, we hope to rectify our mistakes and learn from it. As mentioned, I will only want the best for the match against the Old Boys'. I am also looking forward to invite some new players to join us with the team and soon hope to target players for a joint team who may be good enough to participate in the ESPZEN league for 2007. Otherwise, I will stick with the usual of inviting only players who are keen to do well for themselves.
See you soon.
