Team FATA

Team FATA was unavailable to make it 3 in a row when they met a strong team made up of foreigners. We were out-matched in every department; skills, passing, shooting, pace, physical etc.

It was an unfortunate lost. Firstly, the organiser told us this team was called up to replace the original team who could not make it last minute. Secondly, we have 4 players who could not make it to the match. The notice given was too short as we have to scramble for players. In the end, only 12 players turned up for the match; consisting of 3 non-fatarians.

The first half ended with Team FATA going 2-1 up. It was pure luck as we only have like 3 or 4 shots while the opponents have at least 7 or 8 shots. Possession wise, we have like 30-40%? First goal was a free kick taken by Jin Hao on the right flank. Miscue from all the players in front let the ball bounce through the defence before letting Collin unleashed a volley down the right post, passed the diving goalkeeper. Second goal was the magnificant Cong Jing who cooly went pass their central midfield before providing a through ball to our dear Amos. Calm and compose, he put the ball pass the goalkeeper. It was his debut goal.

Team FATA played a better first half compared to the second. As shown in previous few matches, Team FATA would normally go into the second half the better side as we would always have a better stamina. However, this time round, we lost out on pace and stamina. Their average age is somewhere around 30 to 35 I reckon. But their pace and stamina really stretch us to the max. Its been a long time we have been seen panting even at half time.

The good
- On average, our players' stamina has improved significantly particularly Amos and Kian Hock.
- On several ocassions, Amos had shown plenty of skills and pace beating 2 or 3 defenders at one time.
- Siong Wei gave a more commendable performance in the second half when he was deployed in the central midfield. Of course, you can argue that it is due to his street soccer boots. HAH

The bad
- Players should be reminded to inform me earlier should they be unable to make it. There was a total of 4 players who informed me 2 days prior to the match.

Twelve Fatarians gathered at Fernvale field at around 2.45pm. One unexpected late comer was actually Joel Lau Chun Hee! Shall not state his reason here but its got to do with girl where he sent the girl to her workplace at Far East Plaza. Another guy who put aeroplane is Ryan Lai who until now has yet to get back to me.

After two matches against working adults, we finally met a much younger team (most of them should be in their Secondaries/Post high school, only some of which are adults).

Team FATA began the match looking lost as we allowed them to pass the ball around at ease. We were having trouble holding possessions and moving upfield. After a good 15 to 20min, we finally settled into the match, creating few opportunities. Most notable a low cross from Kenneth. The first touch by Collin (I can't possibly say "me" here right? lol) was good but his shot was straight at the keeper's hand.

Kian Hock finally started his debut match for Team FATA after a long injury in his lower back. He was deployed on the midfield left. He was seen lacking of pace and stamina on few occasions due to lacking of match fitness. However, he still displayed a commendable first half performance. On the other side of the flank deployed were Kenneth. An improved performance by Kenneth can be verified by his enthusiasm and galloping down the right flank taking on defenders before suppling the cross. However, he needs to improve on his cross when the ball is rolling fast.

Trying his luck, Zhen Hui smash a long clearance towards their goal line. As a striker, every chance to make the ball end up at the back of the net is possible. Collin gave chase to the ball even though it was a clear take by the defender. However, their centre-back did not take the first ball, only to let the ball bounce over his head. Collin capitalized on the mistake to try his luckin the air with the keeper seen rushing out. Their keeper did not managed to grab hold of the ball and it bounced into the back of the net. Team FATA went into the break leading 1 nil.

This time round, Team FATA dominated the opening of the second half where we have a good 15min possessions restricting them to their own half. Joel burst into the scene and got into the game immediately. He was deployed in his favorite position as an attacking mid. And he showed the rest what he is capable of. Non-stop running, dribbling, taking on defenders; coupled with a strong fighting spirit, he managed to create 2 assists to give Collin his first hat-trick.

Matthew started and ended the game as a centre-back for us. As highlighted to our players, our team is lacking of a pacy centre-back to cope with opponent's fast striker. I think we have solved that area. =D In spite of his build, Matthew showed his presence and composure throughout the game. With ocassionally dribbling up the centre field to join in the attack, he managed to recover fast enough back to our defence. A superb performance as a centre-back indeed!

- Foul play by one of their player. Unfortunately, its one of the Sunsports organiser where he was lucky on 2 ocassions to get away without a penalty for us. The first was the pulling of Collin's shirt in the penalty area where he was through on goal. The second of the tackle of Joel just inside the penalty box.
- Our centre midfield was seen empty on few occasions as pointed out by the centre-backs in the first half. We were playing 4-4-2 where Cong Jin and Jason were our centre mids. Lacking of a playmaker, Cong Jin was tasked to take on a more foreign attacking role. Come second half where the role was fulfilled by Joel, our midfield was seen more dominating with Cong Jin and Jason playing side by side moving the ball around.
- Jason did not cope with the high ball well with few ocassions where he should make use of his tall figure to get the first ball instead of using his leg.
- Ryan Lai's aeroplane putting.

The good
- Our players had an improved game compared to previous few matches. This can be easily understand as we are playing against a less physical team young team.
- Thumbs up for Zhen Hui for his never ending chasing and closing down their pacy forward. 2nd thumbs up for not making any sliding tackles which is always dangerous against pacy players.
- Again, credits to William, our ever reliable No.1 goalkeeper.
- Though Joel was late due to some reasons which we do not want to say (see the top), he exploded and tormented their defence with his pace and trickery. He sums up his 2nd half performance with 2 more assists under his belt.
- Despite being hit by the ball on the nose and caused some blood lost, Wee Hian finished the game with a big red nose.
- A nice dinner gathering of 7 Fatarians and Bella at Jalan Kayu.

Few players asked me for the procedure on getting friendlies, pitches and referees. So I might as well do a post here to share with you all, including any of our outside readers (Feel free to email us or use the tagboard on the right).

One of the easier way to get matches is through a medium that does all the organising for us. They would have a list of soccer teams, soccer fields and a few referees under their charge. From that, they would mix around and find a time slot to cater for all. While the main advantage is obviously the time and effort saved, the fee is a little higher compared to D.I.Y.

We have an affiliation with Sunsports in which both our previous and upcoming games are organised by them. Under their charge, they have 5 soccer fields, 2 at Fernvale, 2 at Katong and 1 at Mountbatten.

Now, if you do a search for "Team FATA" on their main page, you would find us under 2 different areas, "SunSports Super Champion League VI 2008 Sun PM GpA" and "SunSport Sports Club Friendly Games 2008". The former is a Sunday afternoon league while the latter is just friendly games. Do note that I rejected their request to join the league competition as it is not the time yet. Hence, we do not have to bother much about the league table found at the bottom of their page.

Additional note of this Sunday's game. If you scroll down right to the bottom of the page, you would find the table with Team FATA and Outside Utd (Our opponent this coming Sunday) inside. Now, take a look at Outside Utd's stats. 1 draw and 1 lost but with a goal difference of positive 3 goals? lol

As we might have a possible turn-out of more than 15 Fatarians, I am planning to have our 2nd dinner cum gathering at Jalan Kayu (Just few minutes walk from Fernvale). Standards may have dropped a little but their Roti Prata is still one of the best in Singapore.

Lets make a 2 wins in a row. Cheers :)

Lots of pre-match arrangement issues arose just a day before our match. The SunSports organiser was requesting us to change to Katong field which I declined immediately due to inaccessible location and it was too last minute a decision to make. (It was midnight!). Then, they proposed to change the timing to 5pm which a few of my players could not oblige. Hence, I requested back to our agreed timing or the game is off. They obliged.

The venue was at Fernvale, just in front of Fernvale Pri Sch, near Jalan Kayu. It was the lowest attendance with only 8 Fatarians. In total, we brought 6 outside players into our team match. Out of which we have some really outstanding players.

Match kick-off at close to 4pm. Team FATA had an early goal courtesy of Joel with a through ball from Jun Jie (Jason's friend). Few minutes later, I took advantage of the miscommunication between their defender and keeper to make it two nil to Team FATA. Siong Wei, who previously had an injury on his left toe was caught by a sliding tackle from the opponent's centre-back (No. 11). He was replaced with Wayne coming into centre-back, Sean moved to the right wing. Towards the end of the first half I took a deliberate kick on my shin pad from their defender when I make a sliding tackle and caught their foot instead. Unprofessional player who should be slapped with a red card but referee did not see it I suppose. First half ended with Team FATA leading two nil. We did reasonably well in the first half.

Second half was more dramatic with our star goalkeeper William making few tremendous saves, putting his whole body on the line. Thumbs up, definitely a contender for Man of the Match. Our defence was still prone to high and long ball with our defenders failing to cope with the first ball. We were fortunate on few occasions when we were caught napping at the back but we centre back Wee Hian, Sean and Wayne managed to beat them with pace and body strength.

Goals came pouring in. A through ball from Jason put me on a chase towards their goalline, beating their last defender with pace before slotting the ball to the far post, beyond the stretch of the opposing keeper. Three nil. A lack of man-making and commanding figure allowed the opponent to make an easy shot from a corner kick. Minutes later, a header flick-on from Joel exposed their backline. I was body checked by their No. 11 but fortunately behind us came on the pacy Jun Jie to pick up the loose ball. One on one with the keeper, he made no mistake slotting the ball at the back of the net. Four is to one.

Tackles were seen flying in, most notably the one that caught Jason from behind. Immediate red card and good call from the ref. Minutes later, I was tackled from behind and pushed in the back during a cross in both by the same player, No.11. He was at it again when he bullied Joel into the corner flag before commiting a foul. Ref did not make any call.

The bad
- Opponent acted like hooligans instead of an amateur soccer player.
- Opponent reacted to tackles unprofessionally.
- Game was not played in a good sunday afternoon match manner and they should be ashamed of themselves.
- Our defence line is still not coping with high ball and through ball effectively.
- The centre of the park, which is deemed as the Engine Room, was not dominated by us in the second half. Our centre midfielders were seen missing at times.

The take
- Our players managed to keep their cool throughout the match (Hey I did! :P)
- Another experience gain when managing against tough and physical opponents
- Joel continued his goal streak and I ended my goal drought :)