July, 1991 Flashback: On this month 20 years ago, 4K made it to the 1991 Inter-class football final on this day with a 2-0 victory over tournament favourite 4A. 4K midfielder Zulkeflee scored the opening goal by sliding in from the far post & remember 4A protested against the goal, can't remember for what reason. Striker Yongquan added a second goal later on to complete a shocking victory.
4A was deemed to be one of the two hot favourite for the 1991 inter-class tournament due to the school team players that they have. Notable 4A players include our ex-3K team-mates Rudy and Mohd Noor. Their playmaker was a very short Malay boy who play for the schoolteam and possess Maradona like skills. Think his name was Na-im.
Due to Mary Loh husband escaping from reality on that day, I had to play in defence and back then, my best hope for this game was a draw. Expect them to come hard at us. I had requested to Ghazali that he had to play as goalkeeper, not outfield as we needed a strong defence against formidable opponents. He did and together, we kept a clean sheet. Actually, 4A wasn't as strong as what we had perceived and we were quite comfortable in this game after Zulkeflee gave us an unexpected early lead. There was big protest from 4A players, regarding the goal. I can't remember what is the exact incident but I feel should be a legal goal. Even after the game ended with us winning 2-0, there was talk about 4A lodging an appeal against our victory. We didn't follow up on that and coupled with our victory over 4I, 4K advanced to the Inter-class football final as the finalist, having top the group.
It should be noted that perhaps the 4A game was play first before 4I game but both matches are played on the same day. Last week, I've written its 4I game first but thinking back, it might have been the other way. Either way, 4K had advanced to the final and it was ole ole ole for the class.
It is also noted that Mary Loh's husband is about to get his share of music themed " Escaping from reality" back in class for missing the two games.
Showing posts with label AISS. Show all posts
Showing posts with label AISS. Show all posts
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Saturday, July 16, 2011
1991 AISS Inter-Class Football Tournament Flashback - 4K vs 4I
July, 1991 Flashback: On this month 20 years ago, the crucial next stage of the AISS inter-class football round robin matches began. 4K was drawn into the same group as 4I and the tournament hot favourite 4A. The winner of the group would advance to the football final in August. We were scheduled to play 4I first and they had an SBC TV actor playing for them.
After the victory over 4H, it had once again created football buzz in our class. There were discussion about the upcoming football games & who would play. I've been promoting to our captain Ghazali about the specky boy nicknamed "Si Pang" (Square) who seated in front of me in the class whom I think probably packed the most powerful shot in our class. Very good for clearing ball as a defender. However, Ghazali feedback there were limited places in the team and I think (i might be wrong) there's an allocation of malay and chinese players in the team as to balance. So my recommendation of "Si Pang" to the football team did not work out but we became team-mates in the interclass badminton tournament, playing in the double.
Team captain Ghazali had asked me to play in defence in the upcoming games but I've informed him that the team did ok against 4H and I'm ok to be just backup and let the original team take to the field. Didn't expect to be much involved. The first game against 4I was scheduled at around 3pm but as the kickoff time approaches, there was still no sight of Mary Loh husband, who can play in defence or midfield. There's had been lots of attention & talk on the football games and added to the nervy win over 4H and the prospect of facing the tournament hot favourite 4A, I'm not sure if pressure is mounting for some of us. We had reminded him to turn up on that day but he never did. It had remain a mystery even till today on why Mary Loh husband did not turn up on that particular day. So I became a last minute back-up and would start in central defence against 4I. I can't remember who's my partner for that game, maybe Imran or maybe Eddy.
For the game against 4I, their notable players are two track & field athletes chinese players. One of them actually acted in the TV drama as a Japanese solider and he's football fanatic as well. He's dressed up like a professional footballer with boots and shin pads. During those days, many of us don't wear these gears & I can't remember if I played with double coin shoes or boots for the game. The other track & field athlete in the 4I team was a fellow nicknamed Bullet who is primarily a basketball player and x-country runner.
So the 4I game kickoff and in goal for 4K is once again Khaire. Our first choice goalie Ghazali wanted to play striker for this game. My main focus was to mark out the SBC TV actor who's playing as forward. Remember sticking to him closely and he didn't have much impact on the game. 4K was dominating the game and scored early. Think Ghazali scored first and Yongquan then got his first ever goal in the inter-class tournament. There were few high balls pumped in from 4I but I cleared them all apart of one which created confusion between me and goalie Khaire but it was cleared to safety. The other high ball incident, I practically stood there like a beanpole and let the ball drop on my head to complete the clearance. It drew laughter from the younger sec school girls & I enjoyed that moment.
4K ran out clear 4-0 winners over 4I with Ghazali and Yongquan, each scoring two goals. But we're not celebrating as we focus on the most important game of that day, against the favourite 4A. We're the underdogs for that game. I'm getting nervous.
After the victory over 4H, it had once again created football buzz in our class. There were discussion about the upcoming football games & who would play. I've been promoting to our captain Ghazali about the specky boy nicknamed "Si Pang" (Square) who seated in front of me in the class whom I think probably packed the most powerful shot in our class. Very good for clearing ball as a defender. However, Ghazali feedback there were limited places in the team and I think (i might be wrong) there's an allocation of malay and chinese players in the team as to balance. So my recommendation of "Si Pang" to the football team did not work out but we became team-mates in the interclass badminton tournament, playing in the double.
Team captain Ghazali had asked me to play in defence in the upcoming games but I've informed him that the team did ok against 4H and I'm ok to be just backup and let the original team take to the field. Didn't expect to be much involved. The first game against 4I was scheduled at around 3pm but as the kickoff time approaches, there was still no sight of Mary Loh husband, who can play in defence or midfield. There's had been lots of attention & talk on the football games and added to the nervy win over 4H and the prospect of facing the tournament hot favourite 4A, I'm not sure if pressure is mounting for some of us. We had reminded him to turn up on that day but he never did. It had remain a mystery even till today on why Mary Loh husband did not turn up on that particular day. So I became a last minute back-up and would start in central defence against 4I. I can't remember who's my partner for that game, maybe Imran or maybe Eddy.
For the game against 4I, their notable players are two track & field athletes chinese players. One of them actually acted in the TV drama as a Japanese solider and he's football fanatic as well. He's dressed up like a professional footballer with boots and shin pads. During those days, many of us don't wear these gears & I can't remember if I played with double coin shoes or boots for the game. The other track & field athlete in the 4I team was a fellow nicknamed Bullet who is primarily a basketball player and x-country runner.
So the 4I game kickoff and in goal for 4K is once again Khaire. Our first choice goalie Ghazali wanted to play striker for this game. My main focus was to mark out the SBC TV actor who's playing as forward. Remember sticking to him closely and he didn't have much impact on the game. 4K was dominating the game and scored early. Think Ghazali scored first and Yongquan then got his first ever goal in the inter-class tournament. There were few high balls pumped in from 4I but I cleared them all apart of one which created confusion between me and goalie Khaire but it was cleared to safety. The other high ball incident, I practically stood there like a beanpole and let the ball drop on my head to complete the clearance. It drew laughter from the younger sec school girls & I enjoyed that moment.
4K ran out clear 4-0 winners over 4I with Ghazali and Yongquan, each scoring two goals. But we're not celebrating as we focus on the most important game of that day, against the favourite 4A. We're the underdogs for that game. I'm getting nervous.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
1991 AISS Inter-Class Football Tournament Flashback
July, 1991 Flashback: On this month 20 years ago , the AISS inter-class football tournament kick-off and my class 4K was drawn against 4H in the 1st round. The NPCC girls turn up for the game but too bad, I didn't play due to muscle strain and became linesman instead. Nevertheless, did make them laugh a bit during the game with my linesman antics. There are changes in the 4K team, different from 1990 team.
Changes to the 4K team : Star defender Rudy & handsome Mohd Noor have swapped team & player-manager was no longer with our class. In came Mary Loh's husband, Sepak taraw/hockey player Khaire & military band player Eddy. Yongquan get to start as the first team striker for the 1st time after scoring goals in basketball court football & also good performance in last year tournament as a sub.
On the opposition team 4H, their star players include ex 1E/2E striker, the prefect Seenivasen, who taught me my goalkeeping skills. They also had my former 1D/2D top scorer team-mate, Lee Kim Gu (Jinyuan). Other than that, very little was ...known about their team. 4K start as favourite for this game and I took up the field on the far side as a linesman. Actually, my muscle strain isn't that bad but decided to opt out due to 1990 disappointment & also gave a chance to new team.
The game got underway and in less than 2 minutes, it was GOALLLLLLL!!!!Totally unexpected but it was 1-0 to 4H. Seenivasen had scored to gave them an early lead by nicking the ball past 4K goalie Khaire (or was it Ghazali). I think I remember it was Khaire in goal for this game.
The shock lead that 4H had make my heart sink a little as it bring back memories of last year exit. Nevertheless, the 4K lads on the field started to take charge of the game and I remember our school team player Peiqing made a double dummy dribble past the 4H defender on the right flank where I was the linesman. He make it look so simple to get past defenders.
Time was running out until 4K was awarded a freekick outside the 4H area. 4H line up the wall. Who's going to take the freekick for 4K? It was Peiqing. He curved it with a bit of acceleration and the 4H goalkeeper dive to palm it but it went into his goal. GOALLLLL!!!!! 4K has equalized...1-1.
There were no more goals after this, it was 1-1 at full-time and once again, 4K had to contend with a penalty shoot-out in order to advance to the next round. I can't remember who and who take the penalties this time coz I'm not taking one.... All I know was 4K won the resulting penalty shoot-out and proceed to the next round. For the 4H goalkeeper , the guy with specs, he was in tears after the game. I think he felt that he's the one that caused them the game when he left Peiqing freekick flew into goal. For me, I think his performance was quite ok. He was quite new to our school, didn't really speak to him before but saw him playing soccer regularly on the school field but not basketball court. A 15 or 16 year year old football passion is unbelievable eventhough to many, it is just a inter-class game. 4K is through to the 2nd round.
Forget to mention during the penalty shoot-up, our team captain Ghazali, the malay boy with the rocket hairstyle became the goal-keeper, taking over from Khaire.
Changes to the 4K team : Star defender Rudy & handsome Mohd Noor have swapped team & player-manager was no longer with our class. In came Mary Loh's husband, Sepak taraw/hockey player Khaire & military band player Eddy. Yongquan get to start as the first team striker for the 1st time after scoring goals in basketball court football & also good performance in last year tournament as a sub.
On the opposition team 4H, their star players include ex 1E/2E striker, the prefect Seenivasen, who taught me my goalkeeping skills. They also had my former 1D/2D top scorer team-mate, Lee Kim Gu (Jinyuan). Other than that, very little was ...known about their team. 4K start as favourite for this game and I took up the field on the far side as a linesman. Actually, my muscle strain isn't that bad but decided to opt out due to 1990 disappointment & also gave a chance to new team.
The game got underway and in less than 2 minutes, it was GOALLLLLLL!!!!Totally unexpected but it was 1-0 to 4H. Seenivasen had scored to gave them an early lead by nicking the ball past 4K goalie Khaire (or was it Ghazali). I think I remember it was Khaire in goal for this game.
The shock lead that 4H had make my heart sink a little as it bring back memories of last year exit. Nevertheless, the 4K lads on the field started to take charge of the game and I remember our school team player Peiqing made a double dummy dribble past the 4H defender on the right flank where I was the linesman. He make it look so simple to get past defenders.
Time was running out until 4K was awarded a freekick outside the 4H area. 4H line up the wall. Who's going to take the freekick for 4K? It was Peiqing. He curved it with a bit of acceleration and the 4H goalkeeper dive to palm it but it went into his goal. GOALLLLL!!!!! 4K has equalized...1-1.
There were no more goals after this, it was 1-1 at full-time and once again, 4K had to contend with a penalty shoot-out in order to advance to the next round. I can't remember who and who take the penalties this time coz I'm not taking one.... All I know was 4K won the resulting penalty shoot-out and proceed to the next round. For the 4H goalkeeper , the guy with specs, he was in tears after the game. I think he felt that he's the one that caused them the game when he left Peiqing freekick flew into goal. For me, I think his performance was quite ok. He was quite new to our school, didn't really speak to him before but saw him playing soccer regularly on the school field but not basketball court. A 15 or 16 year year old football passion is unbelievable eventhough to many, it is just a inter-class game. 4K is through to the 2nd round.
Forget to mention during the penalty shoot-up, our team captain Ghazali, the malay boy with the rocket hairstyle became the goal-keeper, taking over from Khaire.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Yesterday Once More: 1990 AISS Inter-class Football
July, 1990 Part 2 Flashback
AISS interclass 7-a-side soccer competition 2nd round, Sec 3G vs Sec 3K. There was unrest in the 3K camp as one senior who missed the 1st game voiced his opinion on the team selection against 3F. There was a reshuffle but I retain my place in the starting line-up. YQ came on as a sub for 3K... and came closest to scoring when his shot hit the crossbar. It ended 0-0 again. Penalty shootout.
AISS interclass 7-a-side soccer competition 2nd round, Sec 3G vs Sec 3K. There was unrest in the 3K camp as one senior who missed the 1st game voiced his opinion on the team selection against 3F. There was a reshuffle but I retain my place in the starting line-up. YQ came on as a sub for 3K... and came closest to scoring when his shot hit the crossbar. It ended 0-0 again. Penalty shootout.
3G star players include good dribbler Weiyao, former sec1D/2D classmate Jincai (can cross wonderful ball but scared of muddy pitch - don't want to get dirty), Goh Kar Peng (not the least interested in football but can play it well), Nasen (senior player). 3K star players include Peiqing (schoolteam), Rudy (tall & pack powerful shot) & Senior player manager.
Prior to the kickoff of the game in the late afternoon, my suppose to be opponent Goh Kar Peng from 3G brought me for a p/t job interview at Burger King Thomson after school.Was happy to see friendly girls at BK Thomson. We took bus together back to school for the game. The match finished goalless and penalty time again as the crowd gather around the goalpost.
Ghazali was 3K goalie for the penalty shootout and for 3G, they have a tall goalie in Jinshun. 3G will take the penalty kick first and it is their goalie Jinshun who'll take it. He misses (or save). Now 3K turn and yes, I volunteer to go first this time, still nervous though much better than the last time. Among the crowd watching is a guy from the other class, who has spoken to me earlier that he notice my glancing tactic used against 3F. He was near the goalpost and man, my mind was thinking which side should I do it this time. I was a little affected by his comment. I made up my mind to slot it to the keeper left side again. 1..2..3, my right foot hit the ball but it never goes left, it went unobediently straight and Qingshun easily keep it out and make up for his earlier miss. I was disappointed with myself. What happen today?
3G Weiyao was next for the kick and he smacked his shot hard and it went in off the right post. Likewise, 3K Peiqing repeated the same feat by scoring in off the inner post. It was 1-1 after 2 penalty kicks. From then on for the next few kicks, everytime 3G score or miss, 3K would follow suit. I remember Senior player manager try an audacious effort to score the penalty by hitting the ball with the outside of his foot but it went wide of the right hand post. I can't remember exactly what was the final penalty kick score but pressure eventually cracked for 3K as 3G ended up the winners with the winning penalty. 3K was dumped out of the inter-class tournament and I was disappointed. I remember senior player manager tried to comfort me. I didn't cry, just disappointed because we wanted to win it for the class.
That was the year where 3K soccer championship hopes were dashed. I can't remember who won the Sec 3 championship in 1990, maybe 3A? On a positive note, 3K may have found a striker for next year tournament in YQ who earned good review for performance as a sub. I remember he ever told me that though many of us may not agree with the senior player manager approach, it is him that enable him to have a chance to play.
That was the year where 3K soccer championship hopes were dashed. I can't remember who won the Sec 3 championship in 1990, maybe 3A? On a positive note, 3K may have found a striker for next year tournament in YQ who earned good review for performance as a sub. I remember he ever told me that though many of us may not agree with the senior player manager approach, it is him that enable him to have a chance to play.
Monday, July 26, 2010
3K Football Reunion on Sunday morning
Last Friday, received a surprise sms from Eddy, my ex-secondary schoolmate, who is organising a football kickabout session on Sunday in Yishun for ex-AISS folks. So Yongquan, Huiyang and myself went for the football session on Sunday morning at 8am. We met Eddy and Rudy, both from Sec 3K during our upper secondary school days. This is the first time that we played with them since 1991. It was a good workout. Looking back at those sec school days, I decide to recall one of the Inter-class football games that we played in 1990.
July, 1990 Flashback:
AISS interclass 7-a-side soccer competition 1st round, Sec 3F vs Sec 3K. I was playing in defence for 3K with my double-coin brand school shoes against the opponents in boots. My buddy YQ, a frequent scorer in basketball court football was a sub and didn't get to play. Still remember his disappointment. 3K was the favourite to win but 3F managed to secure a goalless draw. So the game went into a penalty shootout.
3K star players include Peiqing (schoolteam), Rudy (tall & pack powerful shot) & handsome Mohd Noor. 3F star players: Karthi (school x-country runner), Guangmin (my ex 1D/2D captain). Karthi was to become the 3F goalie for the penalty shootout whereas Ghazali keep goal for 3K.
So the penalty kicks begin. 1st penalty taker from 3K & 3F both misses the penalty. Then somebody (i think Karthi) scored the 1st penalty for 3F. 3K Peiqing misses.Oh Gosh. After 3 penalty kicks from each side, it was 1-0 to 3F and an upset was on the cards. WT Tey was to be the 4th penalty taker for 3K, his face was pale and hands shivering. I was really nervous, worried I might miss.
I remember I place the ball on the penalty spot and look towards Karthi on his right hand side. With a left glance, I proceed to placed the ball towards Karthi left hand post & yes, Karthi was decieved by the left glance & didn't dive left ...side & GOAL.3K has equalised in the penalty shootout. I scored and I remember running after behind the goalpost to pick the football, don't know why I did that but I was relieved. 3F went on to miss another two penalties. 3K Imran (i think) then scored the winning penalty to make the final score via penalty shootout: Sec 3K 2 Sec 3F 1. What a nervy 1st penalty shootout experience for me. 3K to advance to next round to meet 3G.
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