Super Sunday!

September 22, 2008 at 2:19 pm (Family, cairnhill)


Started off the game with an early game for Cairnhill FC against AC United. Was the captain suprisingly but we lost 1-0. That was the only down side to the day as i begun to enjoy my time with Baby, Ming, Hazira and Faiz. Dont wanna talk much about the football game as i feel that the team is only a pale shadow of the full team without the likes of Syarul, Taufik, Hair, Salem, Gervais and Sheik due to the fasting month. Lots of new players but not much potential and i dont sense much communication between the newer players.

Anyway, Ming has been suffering from Ulcers in his throat, blisters on his hands and feet. Baby highlighted that Aishah, my little cousin that we met last saturday got the HFM disease. So, it was really disturbing and alarming to know that Ming has the possibilty of having the disease! Baby, Faiz, Hazira, Im and especially me were really concerned that we might also contracted the disease from Ming. Ming has been sleeping on my bed and has been close in contact with me as we shared the same room! <OOOH NO!!!>

After the game, all the four of us accompanied Ming to see a doctor at a clinic at Clementi. Thank god that the doctor gave us the good news that it is unlikely that Ming got that HFM disease and is having nothing more that a throat infection. Relief for all of us. I hope Ming learned his lesson and will be more considerate of others when he is sick the next time.

Then, all of us proceeded home and we played Singstar happily! It was so much fun singing and laughing at ourselves. Cant wait to get Ela to sing with us! Papa then played Ping Pong with me, Faiz and Ming. For breaking fast, Abang, Marg joined my parents and all four of us at Furama Hotel @ Tiffany Buffet, It was a sumptuous variety of food: Susi, Salad, Asian delicacies, Turkey and superb cakes and ice cream to fill up our tummies! It was a really joyous occasion whereby all of us chatted and enjoyed our food!

What made today really memorable was the fact that the dinner had everyone close to me there. I wished Im and Ela was there too. It would have been perfect for me! But i wont ask for more as i am grateful for what God has given me today. Though soccer was an upset, sometimes, there are more things in life that mean more to me than soccer. I am a passionate soccer fanatic but after watching Liverpool drew with Stoke City last night, i guessed it wasnt the best of soccer weekends for me. Faiz wore a liverpool shirt for dinner. Baby and me made it a point to have a picture of him wearing the greatest club training kit!

Also included in the pictures is my new table tennis bat! It is called Sendoh-5 (Butterfly). Lately after the inspiration of the Olympics, Im, Ming, Faiz, Papa and me suddenly engaged in sessions of Ping Pong at least 2-3 times a week.

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Month of Ramadan… Month of tests for me…

September 13, 2008 at 8:20 am (Uncategorized)

Here i am, still siting on my study chair @ 7.45am… with no sleep… probably feeling a bit fatigued. I just finished my assignment for my PR module. Apparently on monday evening, i am in for the final presentation for the module. After that, i still have 3 outstanding assignments: 2 for International Marketing and 1 for Corporate Communication. Only having all these completed, then i can start my revision for my exams starting on the 4th of October 2008. It’s already the 13th…hmmm… i really have lots of hard work ahead to endure.

As for the month of Ramadan so far, it has been pretty smooth sailing so far. Majority of my time is being at home, which is probably good especially for my dear mum, she always want to have me around to nag at. Amongst the 3 sons, i guessed i am that ‘favourite’ son that mum likes to nag at. Sometimes, over the little matters can be blown all out of proportion. But i take that as love from my mama. haha… it will be the same with baby when she becomes my wedded wife. Right now, she has already have half the nagging ability to send some discomfort down my nerves. No offence ok ladies, i repeat myself: i take that as love.

One thing i love about Ramadan is probably having to feel much closer with my parents. It sounds as if when it’s not Ramadan, i dont feel as close. But strangely, i really do feel much closer to my dear parents. Baby hates this period because i will always choose not to go out to meet her and she always see Hari Raya as the ‘light’ coming from the ‘lonely days’ without me. As a couple, i somewhat feel it is testing for us not meeting on weekdays. haha… okie… it’s especially more testing for Nureen la, i’ll admit that.

Haven been able to take any new pictures recently, probably due to no special days out plus no soccer combo. 2 things in mind after my exams: my basic theory and taking more beautiful pictures and editing them! As for now, i will need to carry on bitching daily about school work… like as if i am the only pathetic soul having to go through all this. haha…

On a serious note, i just want to tell Baby that regardless of what happens, i will always be there for you. It’s always during the sad and difficult moments in life that the true people that matters stay by you. Every difficult period has an end and often continued with more happiness. God has his ways of making life interesting. .. that’s my belief.. it might sound a bit weird now but i think i love god and i am thankful for the life he has given me so far. I am blessed with really strict and caring parents, with the love of my life always not getting sick of me. Ming, Faiz, Im and Ela makes the rest of my list that i considered my closest people i have. And i am really grateful to have all of them. So, thank god. . like Papa always said,”be always God concious.”

Almost 8.11am already, i got to sleep soon… sorry to bore you if i did… and Have a nice day ahead people! :)

Pictures above are the people that matters to me most in life. Cant wait to see Mak… glad with myself that i am visiting her more regularly now… hope it continues…

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My Redbacks Season 07/08 Review! (Sort of!)

September 4, 2008 at 11:13 pm (redbacks, soccer)

A little disappointed i guess that Redbacks had just ended a season. But i really cant wait for next season to get started! It’s a big pity i only got Baby to be the camer-girl only for the last few matches! Going to do a review BASED solely on my own thoughts. So, please dont take my comments too hard and i dont mean anything personally at all. I have had a wonderful first season with Redbacks and i guess i have loads of good things to talk about, rather than negative ones. haha… ok here it goes:

When i first played with Redbacks, it was at Yio Chu Kang at Ang Mo Kio Sec. Ming, Faiz and myself came on the 2nd half and we managed to beat a chinese team 3-2! Back then, there were really plenty of players. Most of them were ”on-trial” while some left the team. What impressed me that day was really Azam, the team manager. He took time to know the players and explain what he wanted us to do on the field. You dont have to be a really excellent player to be a good coach or manager really, i believe some of us are just better off with bigger roles while some can do with either.

One position that hasnt been stable throughout the season was the goalkeeper. Since Fauzy got enlisted with National Service, we dont have a permanent goalie. Hopefully, we will be able to get a committed goalie for next season.

Our defence has really been blowing hot and cold all season. The most impressive defender we had is Abang Sani from my point of view. He is consistent, committed and seldom disappoint during games. Despite his age and his injuries, he showed me that he wasnt afraid to get into challenges. Bob has been the ”Mike Tyson” of the defence. Faiz, Ming and me labelled him ”Mike Tyson” ever since we saw him taking down 2 bigger sized players on his own during a game at turf city. All season, we didnt managed to stabalize our defence so i dun really blame us conceding goals towards the end. Ajiz, Azam, Zaini and Irwan are the other defenders we have. But unfortunately, due to availability issues, we are not able to stablize the back four.

Early season, we had Faizal and Raizal playing defensive midfielders. Kai, Azhar and myself played there for a number of games. Since Faizal broke his toe, we switched to 4-4-2, thus deploying a single defensive midfielder. Faiz has been playing there ever since. Faiz is only 18 this year, despite excelling in fullback position, he has yet to gain the learn the traits playing in the middle. He managed to score and create a reasonable amount of goals playing right midfielder. However, he will need more playing time in the middle to learn how to be consistent and how to get others to understand what he wants during the game. Azhar has been helpful to the younger players on how to protect ourselves. As Captain, he never fails to continue looking forward without giving up. I remember some games when we are one or two goals down, yet he still said,” forget what happen, let’s move on guys!” The captain never gives up and that is vital to the team spirit in any game. And i wont forget when i scored the freekick in Kluang, he came to me and said,” Man of the moment.” He really inspired me. You have my respect Capote!

Our wingers, we had Ming, Mok, Wan (small) and Jaz. There’s no doubt that our wingers can score. Jaz has been the most creative. Wan and Ming are the fastest players we have and they have really make most of our opponents chase them all season. Ming is improving slowly, but lacks consistency. I expect my little brother to score more, but that is not the most important thing to take note while learning. Ming will finally accept his weaknesses this season and he knows it. Only improving your weaknesses will make you a more complete player. Mok showed his quality with all the assists and goals. Next season, i hope our wingers continue assisting and scoring! More crosses please!

In the striking department, there is Irwando, Kai, Aki and myself. Aki helped us play goalie on so many occasions and i can barely remember Aki playing striker consistently. Kudos to Aki for the passion he has for the team. Irwan played a number of games as striker. I feel he needed more time. He makes an excellent target man. Once he work on his finishing, i am sure he will be deadly. At the same time, Irwan really played well as a centreback! I think this guy can play anywhere! I remember Irwan defending so well in Mersing and i think our defence missed him when he wasnt around. Kai, what can i say brother? He has been a good striking partner who creates goals and also important in hold up the ball to bring the rest into play.

All in all, besides the football, redbacks is a family really. The first trip to Kluang was so good even though we didnt overnight there. And the Mersing trip? It was one of the best holidays i had. The kampung, the food, the beach, the people, the roti canai(s), the chendols and all the bonding.

Azam certainly has showed what a fantastic manager he is. Organising all these trips and matches for us. Hisham has been the ‘ambassador’ and faithful loyal supporter of redbacks all season!

Even Baby got closer to the team that she decided to be the camera girl for matches! I love this team so much now that i created the whole team in my PS3 game : Pro Evolution Soccer 2008! Even the playing kit and jersey numbers are edited accordingly! You guys can check it out during Raya! (All Redbacks and Family are invited!)

We played football every sundays, win or lose, we enjoyed one anothers’ company. :) Cant wait for next season! Thank you redbacks! Enjoy the pictures of the season!

All pictures are credited to Nureen, Faiz and me. Thanks to u guys! You rock!

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Cairnhill wins 3-1 despite not at their best!

September 1, 2008 at 3:57 pm (cairnhill, soccer)

Cairnhill continued their winning ways and edged out Black Scorpions 3-1 in a hard fought encounter. Match was being played at Bukit timah field and it was considered an ”unlucky” field for my previous teams because we always lost our game there.

Cairnhill opened the scoring through a free-kick special from Ayyub. He managed to curl the ball past the wall into the bottom right of the goal and past the keeper! Black Scorpions delivered their sting by equalizing later in the 1st half. Cairnhill just didnt get going and Black Scorpions were putting up a fight with just 10 players.

2nd half started with Cairhill being pinned back by the opponents. However, the maturing center midfield of Ayyub and Jon starts to dominate the game and control the flow of the match. Ming found Ayyub just outside the penalty box, which Ayyub turn one defender before unleashing a right footer shot that smacked into the top right corner of the goal. 2-1 ! Jon added one more later with a shot that was mis-judged by the keeper and it rolled into the goal with everyone equally suprised! Fulltime: Cairnhill wins 3-1!

Salem highlighted that it was the worst performance as far as he is concerned. But i begged to differ, i have played slightly more games with Cairhill than him and with no disrespect. I remember Cairnhill playing without a style of play. Cairhill’s football is growing and i just felt it was a harsh comment after winning 3-1 even against a team of 10 men for a half. It was not the best, but i noticed the team putting effort to get the centre midfield duo involved as much as possible. It was something that was highlighted many times before and now it’s starting to take place. We have the passion and we will improve game by game.

One thing is i hope Cairnhill is aware that they are a young team compromising of dedicated, passionate, hard working players in their early 20s. I happened to be the oldest one in the 20s at 27 this october. Physically, we are considered small and experienced wise, we lack it. So, we must continue what we have been doing so far: play to improve and enjoy the football!

Whereas with my other sunday team with Redbacks, i belong to the young category together with Ming and Faiz! Majority of the players are in their late 30s and early 40s! And Redbacks is not just a soccer team, but also a family. And I certainly believe that Cairnhill can be just the same in years to come!

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Redbacks : End of Season

September 1, 2008 at 2:00 am (redbacks, soccer)

Lost 4-1. Didnt get to score 2 goals to make it 20 for the season. Not really upset but feel really happy after an eventful season with redbacks.

Redbacks will be resting during Ramadan. I wish all the Muslims a happy Ramadan!

Pictures are courtesy of Nureen. Thanks baby! You rock!

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