Final Prep before our Season begins

Time: Be there by 2.20 PM pls.

Opponents: BNP Paribus Sports Club

Venue: Woodlands Ring Sec School (Grass)

[Link to venue: http://www.espzen.com/pitches.asp?pitch=75]

Attire: Yellow Top, Black Shorts and Black Socks

[Bring our yellow sufi jerseys or just any yellow jerseys as a back up. Our new jerseys should be distributed on Saturday anyway]

Expected Personnel:

Allan

LQ, Jars, Huijie, Alaric, Hizam

Santosh, AhCool, Law, Mahdi, Mok, Ws, Syafiqo, Dinietov

Jufri, Habib

Alright boys, we have one final game to go before we kickstart our season next Saturday against AC Fate in our League Cup game at Temasek Sec. This Saturday will be crucial in that we will once again need to work on incorporating the new guys into the team plus of course continue to work on our game plan for the upcoming season. Kindly take the game seriously while playing alright. Similarly, those on the unconfirmed list please confirm attendance by commenting in the chatbox if you are available for the game ASAP. TYVM!

SUFI FC Players' Player of the Season (ESPZEN Season 7)

With 39% of the total votes, SUFI FC's Players Player of Season 2 has been crowned. And it is none other than our very own magician, Dinietov!! For many of us, our very own magician was heavily involved in a couple of defining moments last season. Most notably when he scored in back to back games against Supernova with a beautiful dink over the keeper and then produced arguably his best performance in a Sufi or YSOSRS shirt with a MOTM showing against FMFC at Jurong Stadium where we triumphed courtesy of a Dinietov winner and a masterclass showing in his centre forward's role.

Here is what the man has to say:

Of course, it is my esteemed pleasure and honour to receive this award and I would love to thank those who voted for me. For those who didnt, somebody's gonna get a-hurt real bad. :)

Jokes aside, I think alot of your are as shocked as I am. And it is without any superinjunction mambo jambo that I voted for myelf. That was to prevent from not getting any. Paiseh oh! But to get 14 others, you'd know youre doing something right (cue awwww)

Kudos to everyone who played their part in an encouraging season for the club formerly known as Sufi FC. Everyone in here deserved this. But Mok, or Mo as he prefers to be called now, cant possibly give free matches for the whole team. So, someone has to win it, why not me hahaha

2nd season done and dusted let us hope that third time's the charm. With the inception of new talent, the set-up has a more formidable look. And hopefully I will be able to sprinkle some more of my magic dust, somewhere away from podiums or dancefloors. Like in the middle of the park.

And of course, a quick shoutout to my dearest Faddie who'se always shadowing me to matches to show her support. Without her, I will definitely be even later.

Once again, thank you all and lets (be serious) psyche ourselves up for an exciting season ahead. Back in Blue... YSOSRS!

Dinie7Fockinell

Gems Aplenty

Woodlands Ring Sec, 1500 Hrs

YSOSRS FC 7 Winning 11 FC 3

(WS x1, Santosh x1, Law x1, Jason x1, Jars x1, Naqib x1, Habib x1)

Woodlands Ring Sec provided us with the stage to kickstart what could be a make or break season for the returning YSOSRS (Why So Serious) boys and the positives seen on the day, leaves the gaffer licking his lips in anticipation. Facing a W11 team that started with a bare 10/11 players, the YSOSRS boys took the field determined to meet our aims of the day and to kickstart our pre-season with a bang.

1-0: A bang it was as after a couple of rampaging runs down the flank from our Nepalese monster, Santosh, the man finally made it count when he cut the ball back from the right that was dummied by Mok into the path of an onrushing WS who smashed the ball into the bottom left corner of the net from outside of the box. A good good goal and I guess we will not hear the end of it for the next couple of weeks at least. Sigh.

2-0: With the early goal, the boys settled down and looking up for it, we were at it again when Santosh faced up against his marker before playing a 1-2 with Mok that split the defense open. Taking the return ball in his stride, the young man opened his account with less than 10 minutes on the clock as he finished clinically into the bottom left corner.

3-0: The goals continued to flow as a corner from the right by Santosh found the run of Law who thumped a header past a static W11 defence into the top right hand corner of the net. A good cross and a fantastic finish by the elder statesmen of the team who continues to produce the goods.

4-0: Hardly any time had lapsed from Law's goal when a neat exchange of passes down the left saw another youth product, Habib whip the ball in from the left and *gasp* found the outstretched leg of our left back, Jason as he prodded the ball home from the near post pass the keeper. 4 goals in the 1st 20 minutes and things were looking rosy.

5-1: Couldnt exactly remember how our opponents got the goal here so i wont go too much into it. But our 5th was a classic D.Beckham moment. Almost a year to the day the man fell in a heap of anguish and pain, the left peg of our returning Jars-los took on the set piece duties for duration he was on the pitch. The man duly obliged by curling a ball so delicious that all of us, including our W11 mates and the ref could only stand and watch in amazement as it nestled into the top left corner of the net. The fact that the keeper made it a picture perfect moment with a despairing dive was probably the icing on the cake. Just rewards for battling back from the dreaded ACL injury and I know that there will be more to come from him in the coming season. Welcome back Jassie boy.

End of 1st Half

6-1: Apologies to new boy Naqib but all I could remember was a corner that was swung in from the left which was nodded down by one of our guys. Showing his predatory instincts, Naqib was first to react as he side footed the ball home from 6 yards. A fantastic way to kickstart his YSOSRS career. Smashing.

7-1: Habib having set up a goal in the 20 minute barrage that we had in the 1st half, finally took his place on the field for the 2nd up front. And the lad showed the gaffer just what he was made of. A long pass from just inside the YSOSRS half by Mok found our man on the shoulder of the last defender. Disregarding the attentions of his marker, he duly latched onto the pass and sped away at a stunning pace. Showing composure beyond his years, his finish was both cheeky and classy as he calmly lobbed it over the onrushing keeper into the back of the net.

Final Score: 7-3 We eventually conceded 2 more goals in the last 10 minutes, 1 via a penalty and another from open play.

Gaffers Thoughts: The trialists today did well. Very well. And this includes Viga who was not mentioned amongst the goals but did enough IMO. The regulars who were there, did their thing and worked their magic when it mattered. Apart from the lapses towards the end, there are many positives to take from today. Particularly the inclusion of some quality players to our ranks and of course the fact that we progressed in getting our passing game together. We will continue to work on this next week and of course, have faith boys. We have our own style of playing and we will continue to improve on this as time progresses. With the season beckoning, let's get down to business and strive to set ourselves up properly by the time the 11th of June comes along aite. See you next week, same time same place. Cheers!

Personnel:

Allan

Farhan, Jason, Jars, Ronald, Naqib, Alaric, Hizam

Law, AhCool, Rudee, Santosh, Mahdi, Mok, WS, Dinietov, Yas

Viga, Habib

Pre-Season Starts Now

Time: Be there by 2.30 PM!!

Opponents: Winning 11 Football Club

Venue: Woodlands Ring Sec School (Grass)

[Link to venue: http://www.espzen.com/pitches.asp?pitch=75]

Attire: Yellow Top, Black Shorts and Black Socks

Expected Personnel:

Allan

Ronald, Farhan, Jason, Jars, Alaric, Hizam, Naqib (Yas' Friend, Trialist)

Santosh (Mok's Friend, Trialist), Law, AhCool, Rudee, Mok, Ws, Dinietov, Yas, LQ

Mahdi, Viga (Rudee's Friend, Trialist), Habib (Yas's Friend, Trialist)

Hello boys, we have a couple of trialists that will be turning up for tomorrow's game. I will lias with the ref to play a 90 min instead of a 80 min game so that we can spread the playing time around and also allow for ample time to assess the new guys.

Do chat with the new guys and welcome them with open arms please!! With the new season starting in a couple of weeks time, strengthening the team is much needed and hopefully these new boys will step up to the plate and become part of the family. Most of our team were strangers at some point, so you guys know how feels like to be a newbie. Intro yourself, chat with each other or whatever alright. Dont let this just be a job just for me. Many many thanks boys. And see you!

ESPZEN Sat league Season 7 Div 2 Review

Alright guys, here is the report card for our season as SUFI FC in our maiden voyage into ESPZEN territories.

Eventual Position: 3rd out of 9 teams

Games Played: 16

Games Won: 12 (75%)

Goals Scored: 39

Goals Conceded: 16 (Lowest in Div)

Points obtained: 37

Top Goal Scorer: Jufri (11 Goals in 12 league games)

Longest Winning Run: 7 matches (29th Jan - 19th Mar)

Looking at our report card, I must say that we have done a terrific job boys. A 75% win ratio is phenomenal. Conceding an average of a goal a game in social football leagues is awesome too. Considering that the likes of FMFC, TeamCuzz n Supernova have all that firepower in their ranks, we have done an excellent job boys.

We now just have to work on the areas which we have mentioned in recent weeks that would allow us to improve further as a team in the coming season.

I would like to give a special mention to the period spanning from the 5-0 win over RAM FC all the way to the 1-0 win over TeamCuzz where we had the winds in our sails and were looking like strong contenders for the title. That was a special run and of course we had that amazing win over FMFC that continues to rank up there as our best result to date. We may not have a medal to show for our efforts, but we have the memories of what has been a delightful season. Let us not forget the Marina Bay Floating Platform game where we triumphed on a Champs League Final-like kindf stage over Saint Andrews whom we are likely to face in the upcoming season as well. It has been a fantastic 6 months SUFI boys. Be proud of yourself and your team.

I would also like to praise our hotshot Jufri who has had a difficult time off the pitch this season and yet he continues to do the business up front for us. Top scorer for the team for the 2nd season running. 11 goals in 12 games is an out of this world stat. It actually eclipses his personal best of 13 goals in 16 games in our D2D season in terms of goal ratios. I can only say that as a player, im personally honored to be able to play alongside the man.

Here is to hoping that the lad continues to bang in those goals and we all work together as one that would allow the team to continue it's meteoric rise up the ladders of the social football scene. Remember boys, 14 months ago, there was no YSOSRS FC/ SUFI FC. 14 months later, we are heading into our 3rd season having experienced what many teams have not. Keep going strong and hopefully we can fulfill our dreams of some silverware in the near future. Cheers lads!

SUFI FC Players' Player of the Season (ESPZEN Season 7)

Hi boys. It has been an eventful few days and more updates are likely to be announced in the coming days as Divisional status, personnel confirmation as well as other administrative stuff are to be settled. But as was done in the 1st season, the end of every season signals the all important process of having to vote one of our own, as the Player's Player of the Season!!

For those unaware, Del Syafiqo was our Player of the Season last year as he turned in stirling performances in the middle of the park that very nearly propelled YSOSRS FC to the title. This year, with our team strengthened in several positions, his position could be under threat as we have seen several players come to the fore and perform outstandingly in our title run. =D

So all who are associated with the team are allowed 2 votes. You can use at most one vote on yourself (a couple of players did so in our voting process last season so... yeah) and another whom you feel is deserving of the honour. WAGS and anyone associated with the team are welcome to vote as well. Voting closes this Friday, 2359 hrs and the winner will be announced thereafter. A small prize awaits yo!

Just an FYI, the names that are on the voting list are those who have played more than 35% of our league games this season and would have qualified for a medal if we had won one.

And finally like I did last season, here are my votes and the reasons why:

I personally voted for 2 players whom I felt were particularly outstanding this season. Fabreyas impressed throughout the campaign with his tireless running and never say die attitude. Perhaps a cliche but he is certainly a gem in the team of which any gaffer would love to have. Class. My other vote went to Allan, our very own VDS. At 31 years young, the man has shown us keeping of another universe at times. His MOTM performance in the 1-0 win over TeamCuzz was a prime example. It also came as no surprise that he achieved 7 clean sheets in the 14 league games that he played. A very impressive stat which certainly backs up his credentials on the field. The boys have and can only benefit from his presence on the field and I hope that the man plays on for as long as the team is in operation. Kudos to both of you!

There were many more outstanding individuals so do not take the voting too seriously. It is just for the fun of it and to acknowledge the most outstanding performer in the team for the recently concluded season. So vote on now boys!

P.S: Do confirm attendance for this saturday's game, 230PM at Woodlands Ring Sec (Pre-season Friendly) by leaving a comment in the chatbox latest by Tuesday night. Appreciate your prompt reply in that. Thanks guys!

To the Best Team that I Have Played For

I would like to thank everyone for giving me this opportunity to play for this team. It has been a short but definitely a rewarding journey. The friends I made. The passion I saw. And the sense of belonging I felt. Being in this team has been one of the highlights of my year and I count it as an honour to play alongside every individual here.

Excuses, there are tonnes out there. So, I will not try to over explain my reason of school commitment. Making this decision is one of my toughest, because I really felt a part. It is not about the sponsorship, not about the excellent results, but the people that makes the team.

I will reiterate my desire to play for this group of people again. This is the only team I will play for competitively. This is the only team I will play for at the age of 35 and more.

This is a short description of the impression each of you left on me:

Allan: You are at your best when you are fired up with that eccentric behaviour.

Jason: You are a loyal person and a good friend that I have made.

Wei Sheng: Keep practicing your long shots, eventually one will pop in.

Syafiq: Keep challenging the central backs with your consistency.

Dinie: Believe in yourself, you have always been one of the most skillful players in the team.

Mok: Your passion is contagious, you are the pillar of the team, you command respect in a totally different manner

Jufri: Your hunger & your temper are assets, dont lose it.

Ah Cool: Pass to me!!!

Ronald: You have a great deal of determination; use that to motivate the backline

Alaric: Believe in your first touch, believe in your defensive capability and do not regret.

Hizam: You have been very solid at the back for the team; do not let occasional errors affect your belief in the backline.

Hui JIe: Soft spoken but effective, but more communication with Hizam can only improve the team's defensive play.

Rudee: Keep running at their left backs!

Mahdi: A team with such strong camaraderie is hard to find, stay on and you will realise each of their strengths and weaknesses.

Yasin: Easily the highest work rate player in the team, keep going with that smile.

Liang: Don't let that crappy behaviour prevent you from knowing this loyal and good friend.

Lian Quan: The team always needs people who are willing to look messy and bleed for it.

Jasmond: You remind me of Gary Neville with his nice crosses

Sian Wei: You will have to agree with me it is the people that makes the team

Hoe Guan: Do not let anyone affect your love for soccer, go out and make sure those who criticize you never get the chance anymore.

Syafiqo: I can only say it was the former innova coach's mistake not to see the talent in you.

Farhan: Mr consistent, in fact Mr all Rounder.

*Guys do not stop believing in the team, the people whom you will definitely want to play for when you are 35!

Cheers,

Vic

At the end of it all, come back next season Vic. We will be waiting for you. Cheers and thank you my friend. - Mok

It was a great ride while it lasted. Welcome back YSOSRS FC.

Tampines Sec, 1500 Hrs

SUFI FC 6 Arizen FC 3

(Juf x3, Law x1, Syafiqo x1, Mahdi x1)

Rarely has a result where a team scores 6 goals and garners 3 precious points in the process be treated with as little excitement as the one that was played out yesterday. Despite chalking up our highest number of goals in a single game since our 5-0 victory over RAMFC at the start of the season, it proved inconsequential as we were not able to keep it tight at the back and as a result sees SUFI FC end a promising season in third place and without a medal to show for it's efforts.

The highlight of the game would certainly have to be our hotshot Juffie boy's masterclass in finishing as he showed us what we had missed for a good number of games during the middle of the season in the space of 80 minutes. Top drawer finishing which leaves him 2nd in the top goalscorers list for our division with 11 goals. Congrats for that ah boy.

The game also certainly showed our weakness in terms of communication. Gradually, the excuse of sluggishness can no longer be applied and the boys will definitely have to reflect on their own performances sooner rather than later. Whatever the case, this will be ironed out in our pre-season games which start next saturday.

37 points from 16 games, with 12 wins in the process is a very very credible end of season report card. Unfortunately for us Teamcuzz and more specifically FMFC showed us a higher level of consistency that we were not able to match. Tough luck for us but no fear as we will come back stronger in the coming season! As you guys should also have heard after the game yesterday in my address to the team, SUFI FC will be no more and despite that we will have to thank Huseyin for his kind and generosity in having faith with the team. It was certainly an interesting ride while it lasted however we will now welcome back our very first identity, YSOSRS FC.

This marks our 2nd season together and it is amazing to think about how far we have come since our inception a year ago. From narrowly missing out on the title in our 1st season in D2D to fighting all the way till the end against more established teams such as FMFC and Teamcuzz in our 2nd season... We have shown much improvement despite our amateur status but what is most important would be the growing camaraderie within the team. Please dont play skin colour ah. Anyway, the dinner session and then the drinking that ensued marks a perfect way to cap it all off. It has been a season of discovery, and we have come out of it stronger as a team. Success will come as long as we continue persevering boys.

Onwards to Season 8 for the Espzen Sat League which starts in mid June and of course let's aim to go as far as we can in the League Cup!

Personnel:

Allan

Farhan, Jason, Jars, Syafiq, Alaric, Hizam, Huijie

Wong, Mahdi, Law, Mok, Ws, Yas, Syafiqo, LQ

Dinietov, Jufri

E Finale

Time: Be there by 2.30 PM!!

Opponents: Arizen Football Club (Position: 7th)

[Link: http://www.espzen.com/teams.asp?leagueNo=83&teamNo=629]

Venue: Tampines Sec School (Astro)

[Link to venue: http://www.espzen.com/pitches.asp?pitch=77]

Attire: Yellow Top, Black Shorts and Black Socks

Alright after the FB event experiment, I'd rather simply just use our blog as a channel to organising matches again. So a new venue for us, Tampines Sec and really having played there once, I believe the size and of course the newly laid astro turf will be perfect for a game of possession and passing.

The last time we played Arizen, we had to come back from a 2-1 half time deficit before eventually overcoming them 4-2. Their strengths and weaknesses should be known to us by now and I believe they should know ours pretty well too. So... An even playing field and AFC should not be underestimated for sure.

Do know that Arizen will be gunning for 3 vital points in their bid to stay up whilst we on the other hand have our own agenda of wanting to win the game and to score as many as we can in the process to hopefully garner 2nd place. Okay the result of the TeamCuzz game is now known and they won 2-1. Not the way we envisioned it but we will have to win by 6 clear goals this saturday in order to leapfrog them into a medal position. So now, we will just have to go out there this saturday and throw the kitchen sink at our opponents in the hope that we get the result we want. So, if you are not available for the game, please let me know as per normal by SMS-ing me.

Oh and of course, check out the post below about the League Cup Tourney draw. See you boys saturday!

Expected Personnel:

Allan

Farhan, Huijie, Hizam, Jason, Syafiq, Jars, Alaric

Law, Mahdi, Yas, Mok, Ws, Vic, Syafiqo, LQ

Juf, Dinietov

ESPZEN League Cup 2011 Draw

Round of 16

Team Intense FC vs Changi Simei FC (D)

Team Goat FC vs Naranja AFC

Eclectico FC vs Kelly-P FC

Happy Everybody FC vs FC Hospitality

Standard Chartered Bank FC vs British Club 3rd XI

H4 United FC vs Phoenix United

AANG Wolf FC vs Rosso FC

AC Fate vs SUFI FC

Hello boys, we have been accepted as one of the 16 teams in the League Cup Tournament that will take place starting June and will last through the entire of next season. Looking at the draw, the obvious standout team will be Team Intense FC, who are the present Div 1 Runners Up who lost out on the title by goal difference. We are the 3rd highest placed team (After Standard Chartered Bank) based on this season's results.

The tournament is unlike the FA Cup (Sunday Tournament) as there will be NO handicap system and thus standard knockout rules will be in play. Take note that the games here are only held on saturday which is our usual footie day so no worries about clashing with your other Sunday commitments. Time to get psyched as AC Fate (Div 3) looms large for the Round of 16. You guys can comment about this via our FB group. Thanks.

P.S: Those who find their names on the unconfirmed list for this saturday's game against AFC, please let me know if you will be able to make it either thru the chatbox of the blog or via sms. Many thanks.

-Mok

A Day Out

Bowen Secondary School, 1500 Hrs

SUFI FC 6 4-4-2 FC 1

(Mahdi, Juf x2, Ronald, Law x2)

Hi all. Things that transpired over the 2 halves are like a blur to me now. I can’t even recall who scored and when exactly. Let’s see… Mahdi (great solo effort), Juf x 2 (one was a clinical finish straight into the net), Ronald (finally got one with the last kick of the game after countless of missed opportunities)… which means to say 2 goals are not accounted for. Sorry, whoever you are.

Anyway…

The basis of the game today was not so on our tactics and winning per se but more on getting our rhythm back after our crushing defeat last weekend and develop our passing game. The focus was to try to play the ball on the ground and keep it moving. And I think we did just that, especially in the early stages of the game. We started the game with a 4-3-3 formation. Things looked pretty comfortable in the first 20 minutes. We got 2 nil up and were connecting some nice short passes. On the occasions that we were hit by a counter-attack, Allan covered very well and made some impressive 1-on-1 saves.

Changes were made quite often. Substitutions were all over the place and so were the formation. The second half saw the team changed to an unfamiliar 3-5-2, and at one point, 3-4-3. We were dominating throughout the game, we passed and passed and some beautiful balls were played through on many times by different players.

It was a comfortable victory and a 100% record for me. In retrospect, we could have been more clinical and finished off our opponents by a greater margin. We did not need to go past the 3^rd gear and we did not capitalize our ability with the right tactics. But I think we really needed this run-out to get our momentum back. We are a very good band of players and we are capable of stringing short passes together and maintaining possession of the ball with conscious practice. And I think it is really crucial that we do in order to impose on opponents and challenge for the title next season. On another note, I would like to thank all the players who came down. All did very well and sorry that I am not giving you all any individual credit. I really forgot what happened exactly.

That’s all I have to say for now.

MenOTM: Everybody.

-Xabi

Personnel:

Allan, SW

Farhan, Jason, Jars, Huijie, Syafiq

Rudee, Mahdi, Law, Yas, Vic, LQ, WS, Dinie, Firos, Syafiqo

Ronald, Juf