Back to basics us jokers!

Time: 230pm

[As usual, as early as possible will do]

Opponents: Standard Chartered FC

[Link: http://www.espzen.com/teams.asp?teamno=460&leagueNo=95]

Venue: Pasir Ris Sec (Astro)

[Link to venue: http://www.espzen.com/pitches.asp?id=134]

Attire: White Jersey Top, Black Shorts and Black Socks

[Those who do not have, just bring along any white jersey tops]

Expected Personnel:

Allan

Han Kavic Zam Huijie Hafiz Eugene

Eric Mok Dinie WS Syafiq Law Jason

Ronald Juf Izwann

P.S: For those who are unaware, I will be collecting $45 this Saturday for the 2 sets of jerseys that we will be buying. Exciting stuff! Esp for those who rarely or do not use FB at all, feel free to find out from the rest in the team the jerseys we will be getting. Cheers!

Outclassed

Anderson Sec, 1500 Hrs

YSOSRS FC 1 Retador 5

(Juf x1)

We ate the humble pie on a tiny ass field that had us brutally exposed. Bollocks and time to better ourselves in the next game. 

Team:

Allan

Eric Kavic Hizam Huijie Eugene

Vincent (T) Ronald Mok Law Dinie Syafiq Mimi

Juf Habib

Bounce bounce baby

Time: 230pm

[As usual, as early as possible will do]

Opponents: El Retador

[Link: http://www.espzen.com/teams.asp?teamno=680&leagueNo=95]

Venue: Anderson Sec (Astro)

[Link to venue: http://www.espzen.com/pitches.asp?id=106]

Attire: White Jersey Top, Black Shorts and Black Socks

[Those who do not have, just bring along any white jersey tops]

Expected Personnel: 16

Allan

Jason Eric Kavic Hizam Huijie Eugene

Vincent (T) Law Mok Dinie Syafiq Mimi

Ronald Juf

Shock cup upset stuns the jokers

Jurong West Sec, 1500 Hrs

Classique Futbol Clube 2 YSOSRS FC 1

(Dinie x1)

Spirits were high on a day in which one of our own was to be united with his partner in matrimony. However as fate would have it, the boys underestimated the task at hand and were undone by a poor start to the game that unfortunately left us with a mountain to climb.

2 poor poor goals were let in during the 1st 20 minutes of the game in which the entire team were all at sea and seemingly incapable of stringing together more than 3 passes. Frustration was an understatement. Yet, having eventually calmed our nerves and got our act together, it began to gradually look like our "superior fitness" would play a significant role in the outcome of the game as our opponents tired and sat back deeper into their half.

Chance after chance after chance went begging. It would probably take too long to type it all out in detail but it would be no exaggeration to say that we had our opponents on the ropes for the entire 2nd half. Classique did however use every trick in the book, and were unlucky when they had a goal chalked off for offside in the 2nd half.

Aside from that foray into our half, the jokers set up camp within the opposing half and laid siege. On another day, we would have seen ourselves go home with a different scoreline but the one moment which sealed our fate was when Khai unwittingly blasted over, 5 yards from goal with a gaping goal. It was just one of those moments and one of those days for us.

Thankfully though, we did add some respectability to the scoreline (clutching at straws here) when Dinie marauded forward before finishing with a cute finish into the bottom right hand corner of the unsighted stand in goalkeeper. It was sadly, far too late as the referee soon blew for the final whistle, much to the disappointment of the jokers.

Well, we live to fight another day despite being knocked into the plate tournament. It has been an awful month of results as the jokers have failed to register a win in the last 4 games. 1 draw and 3 defeats would be our current form.

The gaffer is under no illusions of the difficult task at hand to rally his troops however in some odd reverse psychology, he believes that the difficulty of the upcoming game against Retador could spark off some fight in the boys and perhaps, just perhaps this awful run may be ended against the most unlikely of opponents. Let's see.

When you are in a rut, no one can get you back up on your feet but yourself. Have heart and keep the faith. Till next week.

EspZen Saturday Community Cup 1st Round

Time: 230pm

[Show commitment boys]

Opponents: Classique Futebol Clube

[Link: http://www.espzen.com/teams.asp?teamno=839&leagueNo=100]

Venue: Jurong West Sec (Astro)

[Link to venue: http://www.espzen.com/pitches.asp?id=44]

Attire: White Jersey Top, Black Shorts and Black Socks

[Those who do not have, just bring along any white jersey tops]

Expected Personnel: 15

Han (T)

Eric Jason Khai Hafiz Kavic Eugene

Mimi Law Mok Syafiq Chi Dinie Santosh

Izwann

Fine margins

Temasek Sec School, 1500Hrs

St Andrews 3 YSOSRS FC 0

Another belated match report here but for the benefit of those who were not at the game as this very writer is finally in the mood to churn something out.

The game if you believe or not looked highly unlikely to go ahead when at 3pm, both sides were still locked out of the venue due to the flickering lights of the lightning warning system within Temasek Secondary School. The overcast weather owing to the passing showers from an hour earlier remained and perhaps contributed to the moody nature of the field warden.

Thankfully common sense prevailed as both sides were eventually allowed into the venue and boy oh boy did we suit up fast. A huge squad was available for the jokers and an even "larger" St Andies side seemed ready for selection.

The game turned on several decisions and moments. The first one was when a harmless lofted ball over the top saw the St Andies winger make his way into the joker's penalty box, yet danger never seemed likely. Sadly, Eugene our left back made a hash of a decision when a rush of blood saw him bundle over the winger and no one could complain when the referee pointed to the spot. As expected, the big lumbering striker tucked home the penalty comfortably. 1-0 down when the game was very much finely poised with the jokers looking comfortable. Tough luck there.

Fastforward to the 2nd half as we came out all guns blazing in an attempt to quell the Scottish physicality that was experienced by our jokers. True to the gaffers words, the boys were fired up and started an assault on the scottish goal. That one moment to get back in the game eventually came when captain Ronald sprinted down the right before sidestepping the leftback and bamboozling him with a cutback. Instinctively, the leftback brought Ron down in the penalty area and again, there was no doubt about the penalty decision.

Dusting himself down, our captain stepped up to the plate and attempted to bring us right back into the game. However, as it would later prove to be a pivotal moment in the game, he was only able to drag it wide. Oh the horror.

Someone up there was certainly intent on making a mockery of the team as St Andies went down the other end and somehow scored when our defense parted like the Red Sea (How apt that we were clad in red on the day). 2-0 and almost certainly game over with the red momentum gone and morale at a low.

Late in the game, miscommunication between our full back and keeper allowed a St Andies player to sneak in at the far post to thump home a header and added gloss to a scoreline that we scarcely deserved for our efforts.

However this season in particular, we have been punished on our off days and the fine margins in such a competitive division have left us licking our wounds. A demoralising defeat but lessons to be learnt as always. Better luck next week!

Personnel:

Khai

Farhan Kavic Matt Ronald Hafiz Eugene

Eric Law Mok WS Syafiq Ubai Santosh

Dinie Andrew (GP)

League Game 10

Time: 230pm

[Please TRY not to be late boys. Please please please]

Opponents: St Andrews FC

[Link: http://www.espzen.com/teams.asp?teamno=620&leagueNo=95]

Venue: Temasek Sec (Astro)

[Link to venue: http://www.espzen.com/pitches.asp?id=86]

Attire: White Jersey Top, Black Shorts and Black Socks

[I'll be bringing the red jerseys for use this week. Bring along white anyway]

Expected Personnel: 15

Khai

Farhan Ronald Matt Kavic Eugene

Eric Mok WS Dinie Ubai Law Santosh

Syafiq Andrew (GP)

Robbed at the Death

Ang Mo Kio Sec, 1500 Hrs

YSOSRS FC 4 Stamford 4

(Izwann x1, Habib x1, Dinie x1, Mok x1)

All right, I'm finally in the mood to talk about the game. Relatively belated I know but hey, 8 goals, 4 apiece and what a thrilling match it was. I guess most would like to know exactly what happened during the game.

To the details now! As a squad of 17 was trimmed down to 14 by match day and the gaffer was certainly shocked when only 10 were at the pitch by the time the referee was all set for the game to kick off. Thank god, Mr fashionably late and the enigma of the jokers saved the day by suiting up for the game just on time.

Against what we have come to know as a very skilled and technically gifted side, this was to be no easy task for the jokers.

And so it proved as we went down 2-0 in the space of the 1st 15 minutes to bring back the horrific memories of our 1st match up against Stamford. A stunning direct freekick from just outside the box and then a penalty kick after our backline was caught too high up saw us down... but not out.

Cue the music for an epic come back!

1-2: Winning a freekick just outside the Stamford box, Izwann stepped up and unleashed one hell of a rocket that had the overconfident clasping at air as the ball overpowered the keepers outstretched arms.

2-2: After missing a great chance just moments earlier, a fired up but slightly injured Bib found himself in a great position after a left wing cross from Mimi eluded everyone in the box. Taking his time to bring the ball down, Bib thumped home from close range to leave the very capable opposition keeper grasping at air once again. Back from the dead and 2-2 it was at the half!

3-2: On the hour mark with the game now wide open, the jokers pushed forward and some neat footwork in the middle of the park released our enigma, Dinietov. Pushing forward, our magician outpaced the Stamford backline with some very intelligent running before cooling slotting pass the keeper who had been left in no man's land.

However as fate would have it, a laser guided truely stunning shot from outside the jokers box saw Stamford level with 10 minutes to go.

4-3: The goal that had us all believe: Having gone more than double figures in games without a goal, the gaffer finally stepped up and slotted home after brushing aside Izwann to get to a cross from Mimi. Surreal feeling for all and with 3 minutes to go, surely we were going to hang on.

Playing against a 12th men team did not help us though as with Fergie time in play here, Stamford got a controversial penalty in the dying moments of the game. The last kick quite literally as Hizam was penalised for a handball in the box after a mix up from a high ball by the gaffer gifted Stamford the opportunity to play the ball into the box. From hero to zero in 180 seconds or more. Sadly, the very accomplished striker stepped up to send the Stamford boys into a state of euphoria.

FT: 4-4.

Gaffer's Words: The scoreline did not reflect the entire story. We had at least 4 other clear cut chances to score yet we failed to put it away. No blame attached to our forward players and neither are there any for our defensive unit as we tried our very best. Thank you to the 12.

Next week we have St Andrews in what would be a bruising encounter for sure. Those who will be turning up, brace yourselves. I'm hopeful for a good turnout guys.

YSOSRS FC's New Vice Captain

It has been awhile since your very own correspondent for the jokers, whipped out his not so poisonous pen and shared his thoughts with all your readers. Well now is the time again. And having cleared the dust off his writing tools, it is time to start bringing to you readers some much needed news and updates for our very own boys!!

As most of you should have known, there has been a position within the club that has been left unfilled since the start of the season. With the stepping down of former YSOSRS captain Hizam, there was a promotion in roles as Ronald took over the reins of El Capitain thus leaving the vice captain role empty.

Unbeknownst to most, the gaffer has been using the majority of the new season as a trial period as he earmarked individuals within the team who looked capable of stepping up into the role. No one within the team was notified of this and yet, to the delight of the gaffer and also the captain, we have had the luxury of seeing certain players shine during this transitional period.

Well, the time is now for us to unveil your new vice captain for the side and hopefully for more seasons to come.... he will be none other then

Del Syafiqo!!

For those twitter users, you may have realised that this certain individual has been in the manager's good books recently with his top notch angkat bola skills. Second to none as far as the gaffer is concerned.

However, it has also not escaped his manager's eyes in that the lanky central midfielder has shown exemplary commitment towards this very social football team for a considerable period of time. Haha conspiracy theories ringing about in your minds right now I'm sure.

Anyhow, always one of the first few at venues to prepare himself, the lad has genuinely stepped up to the plate this season with a string of stirring performances in the middle of the park. The fact that he has scored crucial winning goals especially that notable one against Intense are just rewards for the effort the man is putting in.

When notified of his appointment, del syafiqo replied as such:

Haha sure im up fr it? Im pretty playful...

-.-' not the best start to his tenure but the only way is up from here i'm sure.

We certainly hope that he together with main man ronald inspires us to more wonderful days on the pitch in the near future. Congrats Fiq!