____T.H.E. .P.A.S.S.

21:27
Sunday, December 31, 2006

____2006 - It's A Wrap

I'm in a rush to finish this entry before the year ends. So...

It's a wrap boys and girls! May all have a wonderful, enriching, successful 2007! =)

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23:24
Monday, December 25, 2006

____From now on...

Every battle will not be an easy battle.

Hall 1 lost the first soccer match on penalties against Hall 9. There probably wouldn't be a match more dramatic that this one that I've played. Nervous defending, check. Goalmouth scramble, check. Dramatic equalizer, check. Red card, check. Goal that wasn't to be, check. Penalties, check. Undeserved winners, check.

As with most IH soccer games throughout my "career", I started on the bench. This time though, I witness a really poor first half from Hall 1. We were pegged back in defence, couldn't play the ball out, and the opponents were having shooting sessions with our goal at mercy. Needless to say, by the middle of the first half, we were a goal down.

I came onto the pitch before the halftime whistle was blown and there wasn't time to make an impact. In the second half, a spirited Hall 1 side showed remarkable determination to grab something out of the match - if Hall 9 were to win, they will have to fight it out to win. This determination was epitomised by Qibin's workrate. Usually, he was the one with the least amount of running but his sudden impetus seemed to have an effect on the team.

Sure enough, the equaliser came in due time. Turning my defender inside out, I raced to the byline with the ball at my feet. I saw Qibin approaching to receive my cut back but the defender was faster to the ball than him and the ball was knocked out for a corner. Fate would have it though that a goalmouth scramble was to ensue from the resulting corner and Qibin smashed a leftfooted shot to make it 1-1. Game on.

Later on, Kaile and the opponent striker were to be red carded when the latter reacted by throwing the ball at Kaile for an apparent elbow. It wasn't much of a surprise though. Kaile is Hall One's smelliest player though I wouldn't like to have him out of the game at that point in time - every team needs someone to rough it out with the opponent and for us, that player is Kaile.

After 90 minutes, the game was tied at 1-1 and the match was proceeded to extra time with golden goal. Probably the most undeserving moment of the match occured in this period of time when a goal would have distinguished the winners and the losers. Yet the goal was not to be.

I shrugged of 3 challenges in the middle of the park and sent an inspired through ball for my rightwinger. Sure, the pass wasn't intended to be that brilliant (I had wanted to spread play) but he was through on goal with only the keeper to beat - which he did. The rest of the team were already celebrating when the goalbound ball stucked in the mud on the goal line.

*&^$%&##^%............. it just wasn't to be.

I've heard many people telling me how unlucky it was to have a goalbound ball stuck in the mud. I've never really understood how much that meant. I've always laughed at the unfortunate player. I've always dismissed the possibility of it happening to me - I never thought it would happen. But as fate would have it....

We subsequently lost on penalties when Qibin struck his shot onto the rightside post.

As the competition format was winner/loser bracket style, it meant that we had to win our next two matches.

Last Friday, we played Hall 14 and we murdered them 5-0. I was enjoying one of my better games having eaten the rightback for breakfast, lunch, dinner and supper. I wouldn't say I was that impressive but it really is nice to be able to constantly make my opponent feel scared whenever I was attacking down the left flank. Hahaha... Maybe I'm just sadistic.

We play Hall 9 again coming Friday as they lost their second game against Hall 3 (or was it Hall 7? I can't really remember). Somehow, I'm having fears. Maybe it is because we didn't even manage to qualify for quarter finals last year and that's why I'm afraid of a repeat. Maybe it is because I'm afraid of making it into the starting line-up. Sure, I always wanted to play in the starting line-up but this time, there is this slight discomfort. This feeling that maybe, I'm not really that good to make it into the first team for the hall.

And then there's this fear that the opponent on my flank happen to be really good that day such that I had to run so much it would be really taxing to be able to perform well. Sure the football pundits can go on and on about what who-and-who should have done at certain moments of the match but they really don't realise how hard it is to make a correct decision on the field. To pass? To take on the guy? To cover the area? To make a run?

Damn, I'm really getting stressed. Now if only I had the good luck that you wished me then...

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00:02
Wednesday, December 13, 2006

____Time Buying

So, you are back, checking out the latest entry from me. You have probably wondered what made you came back, what made you pop by to read some nonsensical crap from me. Don't ask me why, because sometimes, I really wonder why I keep coming back to write stuff too.

Maybe this place has become an emotional obligation. Maybe it's the only place where I can write what I want to say - write things that I otherwise am unable to share with people around me. Most times, it is not because the topics are of such sensitivity such that I cannot share it. Instead, more often than not, it could be because I don't really have anyone to share what I think and what I've been through.

You might have also noticed that this entry has been long overdue considering my consistency in updating this space. In a way, I was trying to see how long I could keep myself away from writing. Also, I do identify that I am running out of topics - maybe I am really becoming a zombie, a robot, or whatever you want to call it. Lastly, possibly a small percent, was because I wanted to see if anyone feedback to say that this place need updating. Childish, yeah, whatever...

In the midst of my blogging hiatus, I had a dream. A nightmare rather, that someone hacked into this account and posted a nasty entry about how my entries lack depth. How my life revolves around nothing but football. How my tendency to write things related to football. The exact words used were, of course, a blur. Yet the feelings I had from the nightmare was vivid. Some anger, but mostly embarrassment. Angry as one would expect because someone hacked into this place. Embarrassment because someone had actually mentioned all my shortcomings and posted them online and have everyone read about it.

In any case, it is still just a dream. Yet, I can't help thinking about it because it basically addresses some of the problems I have to deal with and yet, not putting in any effort in trying to solve them.

That's about it. Hopefully this entry buys me a little time before I come up with another "brilliant" entry. To be truthful, I'm thinking of writing one (or more) of the following -

- "Christmas Wishlist" (10 items for xmas)

- "Football World XI" (Best footballers to form a team - in my opinion of course)

- "The Ultimate Footballer" (Traits taken off legends to form an ultimate footballer)

- "X Japan Most List" (most insane, most corny, nicest solo...)

- "AD2006 - It's A Wrap" (one that I most probably will be writing)
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Now, just in case anyone wants to know.
-IA has officially ended, though I am still settling some stuff, sort of like a wrap up.

-IHG soccer starts on Thursday, somehow, I don't think this team is well-prepared (or even slightly prepared for that matter).

-I'm thinking of what to do besides football this hols.

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22:58
Friday, December 01, 2006

____Looking Forward

Six months isn't that long after all. 5 more days and IA will be over. It was really an interesting period of time and I really learnt a lot about biomechanics. To me, an improvement in an athlete's technique has the least effect on his/her overall performance.

The sports council has classified the study of sports science into 5 different areas - psychology, physiology, strength & conditioning, biomechanics, and nutritioning. For every sport, I believe the psychological aspect is the most important - the one with the biggest desire wins. The hierarchy is then followed by physiology - the study of physical fitness (aerobic capacity and the likes). Then strength & conditioning. And biomechanics is in position number four (if not last).

Nevertheless, it was a fun time. I had the chance to have lunch with the Singapore netball girls, today. They aren't the best players in the world. In fact, there was a big commotion over the way the girls got trounced when played against the mighty Australians. Imagine how large the Australians are when some of the Singapore netball girls are taller than me. I, for sure, wouldn't like playing football against giants.

The girls were pretty fun-loving. In fact, the camaraderie within the team is good. And from some of the presented video clips, they can be really crazy at times. Though I would say my ime with the IVP team wasn't that fun (it was really quite serious), the sight of the banter and teasing makes me miss IVP training. The girls will be competing next week at the Toa Payoh sports hall for the 4 Nations Cup. Might be a good idea to catch them in action (especially the cute captain). Haha..

Tomorrow is my first friendly match in awhile. Against Hall 9. Hopefully I'll be in the starting line up and subsequently put in a good performance for maybe 60 minutes. At the rate I'm training myself, I probably wouldn't last the whole match at top pace. Really can't blame this week's slack off due to the fact that I was helping my Dad for a few nights. It's almost crazy, I work at SSC in the day, help my Dad in the evening, and some nights, I set off for a run at around 11pm. Been helping out a little too in the weekends.

Not that I really mind. Afterall, I might as well spend the time doing something meaningful rather than listening to XJapan and Yoshiki's pain. I'm starting to think about the future lifestyle. I really don't mind working in the day at some job, and then helping out at the factory at night and weekends. Well, at least for 5 years or so - just to see what the outcome is when I push myself to the limits.

There are a few other stuff that I want to write about. Yet, for the first time, I feel the restrictions due to the fact that people read this space. So, I'd better end here before I change my mind.

Wish me luck for tomorrow's match.

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