What are you looking for in the coming EFL season?
I am looking forward to enjoy more SS football. It is a joy to watch players playing to what his team believes in. It shows the hard work, committment and desire to play football and I will appreciate that the most.

How is the team shaping up?
As expected during pre-season, some players are not back yet. The fitness, energy and intensity level is low. However quite a few boys are playing in the current D2D which will maintain their football fitness.

How are the regulars?
The midfield fulcrum are as good as ever. I am very happy with their performance and I am aiming to keep our midfielders and add just 1 or 2. Defenders have been slightly shaken with the addition of 3-4 new faces which are all very good! The defenders who are able to balance the team will play.
Its the striking department that we are sorely lacking. Eveyone wants to be striker but many players have not displayed a performance befitting of a striker in this level of competition yet. I am looking for that sudden spark in their minds. Striking is an inborn talent. It is almost impossible to train that part of the mind.

Any new players to look out for?
Of course there are! I am excited about an old boy who is returning to us. I am very happy that he is committing his time and football to this team. He will definitely add a new dimension to the dynamics of the current team. There are also a few very new players, which from the first few games, show alot of intelligence and promise to the team. I sincerely hope they see the potential of this team for them to commit to SS.

Any new hope for SS?
Definitely one hope is to do better than last season. To win games we are suppose to win. To maintain high level of focus concentration and competitiveness.
To uncover a striker that is able to compete and score week in week out as the previous strikers are competing against committment, fitness, injuries and time management.

Are there any players out there who experience joint aches and numbness before/after matches.

I am looking for players who have unhealthy joints to try out Agel’s nutritional supplements for bones and joints.

Do approach me if you want to try out gel supplements to curb your joint problems. FREE.

“Gaining strength in your legs, and experience no more cramps or muscle fatigue.”

A lot of social footballers do get cramps and muscle fatigue. Some have the misconception that it is about stretching. Good warm up and stretching does help, however, it is not only about that or being fit and strong. Fit professionals who go through proper fitness and stretching do get cramps too. Most of the time, proper food and fluid intake can help prevent them from occurring. To prevent cramps and muscle fatigue, do the following:-

1) Lack of sodium (common salt).
I am not asking you to take spoonfuls of salt, since too much is unhealthy too. Just add a spoon of salt into your sports drink before and after sports such as your 100 Plus or Gatorade or whatever sport drinks you consume. Add salt to your taste and in moderation.

2) Potassium
Where do we get potassium? BANANAS.
Bananas, if you are not allergic or adverse to bananas, have plenty of bananas.

By having a sustainable diet and liquid intake, your performance on the field is enhanced, leading to a more enjoyable game.

In a season of highs and lows, this “Razzler and Dazzler” showed his excellent ability, flair and flamboyance in the last quarter of the season. Razmy had slowly regained his confidence the past few months and contributed admirably to the team, culminating in his excellent performance in the last match of the season against J Heat.

In the final match against J-Heat, Razmy played in a forward role and was a constant threat to the opponent’s goal. His skillful approach play was rewarded with 2 sublime goals.

The first was a well taken ball from the right-side, creating enough space by cutting into the box, passed a couple of defenders with good touches and with a good mind to place the ball out of reach of the goalkeeper with his cultured left.

If the first was inventive playing, Razmy’s second goal, I would place it with, “one of the best goals” I have witnessed first hand. Infact I am certain everyone on the field and in the stands that afternoon would have placed that goal right up there with the best they have seen.

From a direct punt from GK Alfian into the opponents halve, Razmy made the run away from his marker, plucked the ball out of the sky with a first touch so delicate that he set himself up without breaking stride for a delicious lob over the on-rushing GK. (Remember Dennis Bergkamp against Argentina.)

Judging from the massive pile-up of bodies for the goal-celebration (even the opponents and referee did not begrudge the team their moment of glory), I am sure he will savor this team not only for the goals he scores, but also the knowledge that he has grown into a vital fulcrum for Schwarz Star.

This is Razmy’s second POTQ acknowledgement.

• If you are within range and you can see the goal – shoot! It’s okay to miss and, if you don’t shoot, you’ll never score.
• Follow your shot. Goalkeepers often drop the ball, so make sure you are right in front of them if they do.
• If you can’t get a shot in, try to pass to someone who can. It’s just as good to help someone else score a goal as it is to score one yourself.
• If the other side get the ball, you are the first line of defense. Work hard to win the ball back.
• When it’s our goal kick, stand in a place where you can get the ball. Don’t just hope the ball will come to you.
• When it’s the other team’s goal kick, get to the ball before their players do. Watch the goalkeeper – where are they going to kick the ball?

OPOD News Centre – British Club First XI demolished a beleaguered Kool N the Gang 7-0, condemning the bottom side to certain relegation to Division 2 next season and moving within 3 points of league leaders Siglap CSC. Titans NFC were held to a 1-1 draw by French outfit Olympique Gaulouis, while champions South Buona Vista Saints’ indifferent season continued as they were on the wrong end of a 3-4 scoreline against CBD Wanderers.

In the EFL’s second tier, Team Orange regained second spot after they struck three past Schwarz Star without reply. The result, coupled with rivals Newton Heath’s shock 0-2 defeat at the hands of MDIS meant that the Oranje are back in the driving seat for promotion.

The story does not end there however, with contenders JSSL Arsenal emerging with a 3-2 win, while J-Heat overcame champions Questra Vipers 4-2 at Bowen secondary, inflicting a first league defeat on the Vipers in over 17 games. The results keep J-Heat and JSSL with the maximum potential for promotion amongst all the teams remaining, and will clinch second and third respectively should they win their matches in hand.

In EFL Cup semi-final action, Siglap CSC underlined their intentions to defend the cup they won so impressively last season by overcoming Highlanders 3-1 in the first leg.

Falcons stormed to a comfortable 4-1 win against AJPL at Bukit View Secondary School to build on their last-gasp draw the week before.

On a bumpy pitch with little space to play with, AJPL kicked off the match with an ambitious attempt on goal. Leonie cut out the danger and AJPL got the rebound and surged forward, but were unable to put in a cross. Just a couple of minutes into the game, the Falcons were awarded a free kick. Roy stepped forward for the kick, which was of a similar distance as the free kick he scored from the week before. With a short run-up to the ball, Roy let fly an unstoppable drive just over the keeper and into the back of the net.

Players on and off the pitch were stunned for a few seconds, as the referee did not react to the goal instantly. After a few tense seconds, the referee awarded the goal and Schwarz Star celebrated their early lead. It has to be said that AJPL’s keeper should have done better with that free kick, as he made no attempt to keep the ball out when the shot flew over him.

AJPL went in search for the equalizer after the early setback, and had a couple of attempts at goal which went sailing over the goal. Just as soon as AJPL found their rhythm in the game, they were dealt another heavy blow. Roy went in for a loose ball in the air and chested it into the path of Fernando, who found Jason up front. Jason took control of the ball but was dispossessed but he fought hard to regain possession of the ball. With his first touch, he unleashed a venomous volley from outside the box, which beat the keeper at his near post and slammed into the back of the net.

It has been a long time since the Falcons roared into a two goal lead within the first 15 minutes and they looked dangerous on the attack. AJPL had to calm themselves down and find a way past the sturdy Falcons’ defence. They came close to a goal when their attacker found space to weave into the box and take a shot. However, with Jing Xiang covering his near post well, he could only find the side netting.

Jason had another opportunity moments later when he found space between the AJPL defence to take a shot, but his attempt was wide of goal. Substitutions were carried out minutes later, with Satnam, Leon and Yen coming in for Salehin, Leslie and Jason respectively. With fresh legs on the pitch, the Falcons moved with more pace around the pitch. AJPL had two corners later, with one of the headers from the corner just glancing over the bar and the other wide of the far post.

With around a third of the game played, Leon gave the Falcons a 3 goal advantage heading into the break. A goal kick from Jing Xiang was headed down towards Yang Sheng, who pushed out towards the flank before finding Yen further down the wing. Timing his run to perfection, Leon ghosted in between the goalkeeper and his defender and connected with Yen’s deep cross into the box with a low header. The attempt went under the keeper’s outstretched arms and found the inside of the far end of goal. Celebrations started around the pitch as the Falcons certainly took pressure off themselves with another goal, making it harder for their opponents to play catch-up.

Half time ended with the scoreline at 3-0 in Schwarz Star’s favour and the match was underway again as the sun shone mercilessly over the pitch.

With AJPL’s coach demanding a goal within 5 minutes of the restart, they came close on several encounters. A corner for AJPL found their man unmarked for a free header, but he could only curse his luck as his attempt came off the post. Moments later, they found another sight of goal, but the effort went horribly wide.

AJPL’s coach’s instruction of a goal within 5 minutes was eventually fulfilled, but by Schwarz Star. A long ball upfield was flicked on by Brandon, playing as a target man upfront for the day, into the box. As the keeper came out for the ball, he was beaten to it by Leslie, who cheekily lobbed the ball over the onrushing goalkeeper and into the back of the net.

With the scoreline at 4-0, Roy was deployed deeper as a destroyer in midfield to cut out the opponent’s passes, which he fulfilled effectively. Leon had a chance to find the net again, when a ball was sent up the field and bounced outside the box. The keeper came out for the ball and Leon went in to contest for the ball, but made his jump a second early, as he lost height in the air when the ball flew over him. A wasted opportunity to make it two goals for himself and five for the team.

Substitutions were brought on as Yang Sheng and Satnam were brought on to replace Leon and Salehin respectively. Yang Sheng soon found a chance on the left flank when he dribbled the ball past almost half the AJPL team, but was eventually halted in his track. AJPL found their goal eventually from a free kick on the right side of the pitch, steps from the sideline. A left-footed effort from the free-kick taker soared into the top left corner of the goal, past everyone and Jing Xiang at full stretch.

Free kick were plenty in the closing stages for the Falcons, with their keeper fumbling most of the initial attempts before smothering it at the second, just as the Falcons players went in for the rebound.

The final whistle was blown and shouts of joy were heard from the Falcons. It was a memorable display, especially up front, with the lethality of the Schwarz Star attackers for all to see. It has also been a good response by the team after their 4-0 opening day defeat, with 4 out of a possible 6 points in their last 2 games. Everyone in the team would be looking to keep up their form, and secure a good position before the season reaches its halfway point.

OPOD News Centre – Questra Vipers claimed the Qualifying Division crown on Saturday after a clinical 3-0 display against Schwarz Star FC. Goals from Kelvin Soh, John Yeong and Izzuan sealed the 3 points at a very wet Serangoon Stadium to end this season’s EFL Div 2 title race. The result also effectively killed off any lingering hopes of Schwarz Star claiming a promotion playoff spot this season.

At Bukit Timah Fields, in the Premier Division, CBD Wanderers stunned Club M with a 3-0 win to move 4 points clear of the bottom two to safety. Champions South Buona Vista Saints thrashed bottom side Kool N the Gang 6-0, who now looked destined for the drop to EFL’s Qualifying Division in the 2010-2011 season.

In the Qualifying Division, promotion challengers Newton Heath and Hibernians United were locked in a nail biting encounter, with the Hibs putting an end to their recent poor run of form by overcoming the Newtons 1-0 win and up to third in the table, displacing Team Orange in the process.

In Cup action, British Club First XI successfully held Happyfeet FC to a 1-1 draw in the second leg of their semi-finals to progress to the final after winning 4-3 on aggregate. The Brits missed out on last year’s showpiece final which was contested between Siglap CSC and St Andrew’s but the two times winners will be looking to regain their trophy after becoming the first side this season to reach it.

Following their triumph, British Club manager James Morris lavished praised on their worthy and sporting opponents Happyfeet, insisting that their present league standing (10th in Div 2) is no justice to who they really are.

“If they are able to play like this every week they would be a credit to the Premier Division. They conducted themselves professionaly and were a delight to play against,” quipped James.

Either of Highlanders FC or Siglap CSC will make up the other team in the final.

The 3-0 thrashing by Vipers

…what happened?
Exactly the same score from the first match. It shows how vipers have been the most consistent and mature team. We are mere pretenders. Boys versus Man.

… fans saw our promising first half performance
Yes it was, I was impressed too. We were playing as a team for 15-20 mins. Players must know that individually they are not very good players, and the only way to overcome that is to play a team game. I think they underestimate the power of a team play and overestimate themselves. Its being a team that brought them the past victories and not by individual players themselves.

…then what led to the collapse?
Naivety. Immature. We have been exposed as a boy team. The inability to take a set-back. The inability to be mature. The weakness of body mind and soul.

… it sounds pretty harsh?
Not really. Because it is a fact. We did look nice and pretty and it was good. But look nice and pretty for 90 minutes. We are a pretty and nice team, but not nice to eat. We have fallen 9 times. Losing 9 times in a 20 match season is relegation material. No matter what the good press and feedback we have been getting from opponents. We lost 9 times. If we are that good a team, we wouldn’t lose 9 times. Compare that to the stability consistency and maturing of Vipers who have lost not once. And have never been seriously under threat in most of their matches. Schwarz Star surely didn’t even give them any concern in our both games.

…back to the drawing board?
No. There is nothing to redraw. The players must start to undergo a serious mindset change. They have to grow up as a team before they can be given the treatment as a serious team. If I was in a professional team, I have to hunt for new players actually. But we are not a pro team. So the players got the chance to grow instead.

In an encounter against Swee Swee 1 FC, both sides ended the game with a point each. However, the Falcons should have secured all 3 points with the opportunities they had.

The game started with the opponents launching several attacks against the Falcons, and one of them was a free kick several steps behind the penalty box. A deft chip by the opponent over the wall found their player, who in turn had a go at goal. The shot was spilled by Jing Xiang and the opposing striker tapped it home. However, the effort was disallowed as he had strayed offside.

8 minutes into the game, the Falcons had their first attempt on goal. A clearance found Yang Sheng on the right flank, who in turn played it to Yen. Yen went past a man before laying it off for Yang Sheng, who fired just wide of the far post.

From that point on, the game was evenly fought out between both sides. Substitutions were carried out on the 20th minute, where Leon and Ishak went in for Yen and Satnam.

Several waves of attack launched at the Falcons’ goal was cut out effectively by the defensive pair Leonie and Dennis. There were scares for the team when the defence hesitated on several occasions, but were able to correct them quickly.

The team were incensed by the decision to award a penalty to the opponents, after Roy made minimal contact with the opponent in the box. Jing Xiang correctly dived low to his right, but the ball was just a fingertip further from him, and found the back of the net.

Peter, at the centre of the park, spotted the run of Yang Sheng and switched the ball across the pitch to him. Yang Sheng made a run down the right but lost the chance to whip a cross in as he was closed down. The equalizer soon arrived, when a free kick of a similiar distance to the one awarded to the opponent, was taken by Roy. Roy went for goal and his right footed effort nestled in the top right corner of the goal, just out of the keeper’s reach, who was at full stretch.

Instructed to harass the back four, Leon nicked the ball of the opponents twice to stop them in their tracks but were unable to take over the loose ball. He was later involved in a link up play with Leslie on the left flank. Leslie took the ball down the right but was dispossessed. Leon went for the loose ball and chested the ball before flicking a lofted pass over the defender. Leslie took control of the ball but was eventually muscled out when he was closed down by two defenders.

Another attempt on goal in the first half fell to Leon after a build-up play between Peter and Yang Sheng. Identical to the previous pass, Peter switched the ball to Yang Sheng, who made a run down the right flank. This time round, he managed to whip the cross in, and found Leon at the far post. Declining to take it first time on his stronger left foot, he flicked the ball to his right before lashing a goalbound volley. However, the timely intervention of the defender blocked the shot, and cut out the opportunity.

The last chance of the half fell for Peter, who took a volley from range that the opponent’s keeper comfortably held to. The half ended with the Schwarzians having more chances than their opponents and certainly looked to keep that up in the second half.

The second half started with the same players that ended the first half, and the opponents quickly sprang into life. A pass from their defender found their winger, who cut in and attempted a shot that went just over the bar.

More opportunities fell for Schwarz Star at the second half, when a series of passes between Peter, Melvin and Leslie brought the ball up the left flank. Leslie attempted a cross that was blocked and Melvin picked up the loose ball. He played it to Peter, who in turn played it for Leon. Leon took the ball and opted to turn his defender before taking a shot at goal. Once again, the effort was cut out by a last ditch block from the defender.

The game continued as more attacks were launched down the left flank. Leslie cut the cross behind the defense and a shot from Peter was not fast enough to threaten the keeper.

A series of substitutions were made by Coach Jason to change things on the pitch. However, right after the substitutions, the opponent found the goal. With Wan closing him down, the opponent played the ball for his left winger, who lofted a cross to the far post. A breakdown in communication between Leslie and Salehin saw the opposing player sneak in between them to fire a header in the reverse direction. The ball sailed past the outstretched palms of Jing Xiang and went in at the far end of goal.

With the risk of ending up with no points, Coach Jason went for a tactical change and played only 2 centrebacks in defence and a defensive midfielder before them to counter the opponent’s aerial threat. It was a risk that paid off as the opponents were frustrated as they resorted to long range efforts, with one bouncing off the crossbar.

Leslie had a chance to make things even again when he was released down the left. He made a run into the box and was advancing on goal when he lost his footing. On another occasion, he beat the keeper to a loose ball at the edge of the penalty box and attempted to square it to his teammates, but the ball was cleared by the opponent.

With the game nearing its closing stages, Schwarz Star had several corners. Leon took the corner and found Peter, who did not manage to get a clean header of the ball as he was knocked off balance. However, the equaliser soon arrived after that. From the right corner, Leon whipped in an in-swinging cross, a carbon copy of the previous corner he took. This time round, Peter was unmarked and headed the ball low which bounced off the ground and into the back of the net.

2-2 was the score at full time, and the team would take heart from its performance and improve on it.