In the Qualifying Division, Maoist FC suffered their 2nd consecutive defeat of the season by succumbing to a 3-1 defeat against Kool N The Gang. Saturday Pirates have conjured 15 goals in two games as they defeated British Club Second XI 3-0. Both Olympique Gaulois and ANZA Young Lions secured their second consecutive victory of the season as they defeated TTFC and Rampant Lions 3-1 and 2-1 respectively. MDIS continued their excellent run of form as they crushed J-Heat 4-1.

Schwarz Star FC unceremoniously dropped 3 points, potentially points that could have saved them from relegation. The Falcons were cruising to a two goals advantage after 60 minutes of play, courtesy of a brace from Alfie, one on each half. But a disastrous 20 minutes period saw them concede 3 goals and ultimately, victory. The defeat meant that the Falcons dropped two places down in the league table into one of two relegation spots. The two teams below them, Star CF & AJPL FC, took full advantage of the Falcon’s slip-up by winning their respective matches.

The Falcons must win in their last match of the league this Saturday and hope that AJPL FC & Star CF lose their remaining matches to have any chance of securing survival. The final match will be against VNPNUS, a team which spanked the Falcons 4-0 in the first round of matches. It’s do-or-die time for the Falcons and it’s all going down this Saturday at Yio Chu Kang Secondary pitch.

Hi Owen, firstly welcome to Schwarz Star FC and many fans have been asking the golden question…there were rumours of other well established teams trying to recruit you, what was the reason for you to join Schwarz Star FC?

First of all, as a new recruit, I am flattered to be interviewed by the team, thanks in advance.

During my early playing days, I’ve played for some established teams in the FAS and Prime League, Safsa was one of them. Due to the exposure and having built up a wide network of soccer kakis, I often get calls every other day to play for them. As age is catching up and am nearing my 40’s, I have to pace myself and begin to only get involve in Sunday social football till I saw Schwarz Star’s recruitment drive on Kallangroar website, so I decided to give it a go again and test my skills, the enticing part of this team is in it’s club’s commitee (I was curious what an amatuer team could be doing with a commitee with Medics, IT, Finance, Logistic etc, now I know…)

2) You have played in afew League games for the D2D team under Coach Jason. what’s your view of the team and how do you think you can offer to the team?

I like people who are respectful of the others, any race or any age group, I see this in the team so far. There are many teams that I’ve played with/for that does not possess this important aspect for the team, I believe Coach Jason has done a good job to nurture his team to play for one another.

For me, I would like to see / assist the players to gain more confidence with the ball, be able to hold the ball well and make good passes with ease and good vision, play intelligently with sleek movements / good supportive runs, football is a beautiful game isn’t it?

3) How excited are you as you prepare to embark on your journey with Schwarz Star FC?

I am looking forward to playing more games competitively with this team provided that my aging legs don’t fail me and my business travels do not clash with game days, on the whole, it is going to be an exciting season of football for me again and I hope to contribute to the team as much as possible, with the help of the “younger players” of course.

4) In the next 5 years..what do you aim to achieve in your time in SSFC and what would you like to see happening in terms of say the development or progression of SSFC ?

In the meantime, I just hope to assist and instill a certain level of confident ball playing and ball possession among the team, I always feel that confidence and having a positive mind-set is crucial in the game of soccer.

I guess the basic infrastructure of the team has already been set and it’s doing well so far. The team has to sustain the better players to form the basic core of the team, keeping their interest level high, helping them to keep fit and maybe provide a certain level of assistance in areas of academic / social / work life, at the same time, spotting good players (young / old) and bringing them into Schwarz Star.

5) What’s your message to the Schwarz Star supporters?

Keep supporting and cheer for the club, Schwarz Star will do well and will continue to shine among the hundreds of teams in Singapore. Cheers!

Vineet is Schwarz Star’s 1st signing for the season and the Star Times caught up with him recently at one of the friendly games..

First of all Vineet, on behalf of our fans , welcome to Schwarz Star Football Club…how have you been? How did your affiliation with Schwarz Star FC come about?

Thank you very much for the invitation. I’m highly obliged to be a part of this team.

I think Schwarz Star FC was more like an accident waiting to happen, in a good way that is. I really don’t remember how I got in touch with Brandon, but I knew that I was getting in to something really exciting. The rest is just history. I was really happy about the whole prospect of joining a professional team, and was looking forward just to play football.

2) You have played a few games for the team- how impressed have you been with your new manager/coaches in just a short space of time?

The team is a great bunch of young players, young manager and coaches. It’s fun to be around the guys, who pass on good encouragement from time to time. It’s good to have so much energy around, and even more fun to put that all on the field and in the game.

3) What do you think you can bring to the team and how much can you improve here?

I intend to put in all my abilities for the cause of the team. But I guess as a defensive player, it’s important that we as a team, keep a clean sheet. That would be my aim for the team. I know as time progresses and as I play more and more matches, there would be much more co-ordination and gelling with the team, which will have more of my involvement.

4) How excited are you as you prepare to start your Schwarz Star FC journey?

I’m glad that I could be a part of the pre season matches and I’m very eager to play in the new season. I’m also looking forward to working on my fitness levels. I know this would be my first year with the team, nevertheless, I’m looking to top the table this year around, and I believe, with the wealth of talent we have, the future definitely looks promising.

5) What’s your message to the Schwarz Star supporters?

With everyone working hard on their performances and individual ability, this year we are looking to hit the top of the table. Everyone has been putting in a lot, from the coaches, to the managers and most of all, the players. So, to all our supporters….. Watch out for us, you won’t be disappointed!

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.

D2D Sat 3pm League Weekly Round-Up

OPOD News Center – With 3 games left, league leaders Swee Swee 1 FC is in contention to clinch the Division 1 League Title as they edged past bottom table strugglers Mavericks FC 2-1. With a game in hand, both VNPNUS and Zespol FC are trailing the league leaders by 6 points. Relegation is looming for Mavericks FC as they remain 6 points away from safety. STAR CF keeps their survival hopes alive as they drew 3-3 against Tour D’ France. Similarly, AJPL FC is fighting for survival as they clinched a crucial 5-2 win over Schwarz Star FC. They remain 3 points away from safety.

1) Hi Roy, how are things with you? Being nominated the Captain for the Competitive Team in the D2D League,how’s the feeling like and what’s your personal expectations for the D2D Season?

Hey guys, I would say things are cool and there are alot more football for me right now. Well it is definitely a privilege and a challenge to be the captain of the team. A famous superhero once said, “with great power comes great responsibility.” It is not a particularly easy role but I am trying and enjoying myself as much as possible with the team. Seeing the team gel, enjoying football and gaining respectable results would be a good start for us. A top 3 placing will certainly put icing to the cake.

2) What’s your view in which would be strongest as well as weakest link within the Competitive Team?

In fact, I felt that we could have at least gained a point from our first match. In my opinion, our strength lies in the depth of our team as well as our willingly to run our hearts out for the team. Also, we have a coach whom is giving us guidance from the sidelines at times and making techniques changes when needed. However we could do alot better in defending as a team and try not to leak in soft goals. After all, a clean sheet in any game will means that we gain at least a point in any case.

3) Your scored a screamer from a direct free kick in the lastest game against Swee Swee 1 FC..How did it feel to score your 1st goal for Schwarz Star FC? what’s your goal target that you aim to achieve for the season?

It always feels good to score and I was thrilled that the ball glided to where I wanted. Probably one of the best goal I ever scored. I don’t have a goal target that I want to achieve at the moment but I will be looking at contributing whenever I can.

4) You were brought in by Maverick to join Schwarz Star FC..what was the reason behind to join SSFC though you are still part of Rebels United.. How was the transition like from a rival team in the EFL Assessment League to another team?

Interesting. The way I see it, one is like a wife and the other like a mistress. Rebels has a nostalgic feeling for me as many of the players goes a long way back with me while SSFC is something very new, passionate and challenging for me. Besides, the training and coaching with SSFC is an eye-opener for myself but it was made easier with the team being welcoming towards new players. I was itchy for some football during Rebels’ off season so I decided to train with SSFC after hearing great stuffs about the club from Maverick and the rest you could say is history.

5) On a more serious note..where do you see SSFC from now till say…year 2015..What do you aim to achieve in your time here with the Falcons? NFL or at least one of higher rungs of a professionally run league like Espzen.

With the team’s commitment and passion for the game and SSFC’s management, it will be a waste not to move forward. Hopefully both league and competitive team can come together, start challenging for honors and be counted among the big boys. Sponsors and more football talents will be good as well. A competition overseas soon, food for thought? On a personal note, I would like to enjoy the game I love and hopefully able to grow with the club as we reach for new heights. Many thanks!

“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.

After a break of about 9 weeks since the 3-3 tie with J-Heat, Schwarz Star FC will be back into action this 24th for a friendly game at Woodlands Ring Secondary School, KO 3.00pm.