Tuesday, December 13, 2005
A wake up call.
No one would expect such a hassle just to play a soccer match. A day expected to be fine and a field expected to be flawless was perhaps the ideal and conducive environment for a kickaround amongst 22 soccer enthusisats. But it was totally opposite come 10 dec at 3pm. However, truth to be told, it was a triumph that was not celebrated with any individual brillance or slick play. Yes, it's true that certain players would prioritise fashion statements rather than soccer ethics in a game which a victory is already in the hands, but would not be won without a battle.
Of course, we were tactically outplayed. A midfield which many define as the crucial battle site was left gaping with a hole bigger than the ozone layer. The team obnoxiously approached a tactic that was infamously designed for the Liverpool team under the glittering yet lackluster reign of Gerrard Houllier. Sit back. Break on the counter. Even the supremacy of Ansarinho was not able to break the deadlock with 3 clear sitters. Only the wits and skills of certain players managed to break the runs of the opponents rearguard. Any team would take this victory, but certainly not team merah. It was only in the second half that the midfield was installed with a guardsman hailed from the slumps of Italy, Ghanina Gattusso. A destroyer i would say as he gives no compromise for any attacking play strategised by the opponents. Yet, credit must be given to Syed too for compacting the field alongside Ghanina and changing the course of play. It was the disappointement of the highest order in the first half by the midfield personals. Shall i mention who? Salman did well on the right, Kurn was fantastic, Fauzi was ok2, and highly rated Cancun keeper, Jorge Ismayel had a game which he would love to remember.
A lack of jurisdication, a tensioned conflict of interests and an abundance of bizzare shouting and scolding prevented any systematic or a brand of play that has tagged the team all this while. It was not the magical Brazilian samba magic or the passing style of Arsenal, nor was it the highly sophisicated Total Football, but it was not surprisingly a bunch of schoolboys plying their trade on a field where the Western world would define as "The Great Swamp". If the game were viewed via sattlite, then the mad rocket scientists at NASA would certainly portray to the world that George Best is back, but not to his best though. =$
What the team need is internal motivation, continuous support amongst each other and a special interaction on the field which would utterly show the true bond the team had in the previous years. Next game is but just a few days away, please prepare mentally and physically for the "enemy" might have the ability to make a fools out of us. 24th Dec, 3pm. Please take note. And please wake up.
Fancy a house beside the ocean? Call me.
