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.

Exactly 2 years since his last POTQ, Kevin is still ever present in this team.

Kevin has been switched regularly between goalkeeper and attacker and his versatility and adaptability is instrumental in being POTQ Oct – Dec 2009. Also Kevin’s return of goals in the last 6 months of 2009 has been brilliant.

While the team was going through a rough patch in the last 3 months, Kevin’s out-standing contribution was in the match against Newton Heath. Kevin, having scored the goal in the first half, played GK in the second half. In this match, Kevin showed the responsibility towards the team when he saved a thumping shot over the bar in the dying minutes, winning the team 3 precious points, giving the demoralized team something to cheer about.

Kevin is a player who is able to hold his own and do his “own thing”, and for him to move one level higher within this team, Kevin will have to start “to make his teammates look good”, contributing more with his passing and movement for his teammates to be involved in play.

Congratulations to Kevin. Let’s all give an appreciative pat to Kevin when you see him as his enthusiasm in helping out within the team is exemplary and shouldn’t be ignored.

Thank you Kevin

Razmy

A Razzler and a Dazzler

Razmy always had the technical ability, flair and flamboyance that are almost excellent.

Months ago when Razmy first joined Schwarz Star, he was only able to showcase his football skills in bits and pieces, not able to stamp his authority in an effective manner in matches with the regularity that is required of a player his ability.

There were players who were unwilling and unfamiliar with his style of play and had commented that he is not a team player. However, with a willingness to learn and incorporated suggestions into his play, Razmy has slowly gain stature within the team and is showing tactical knowledge in a more effective and efficient manner. He is now an attacking fulcrum the team looks to when flair, inventiveness and penetration is needed. And more importantly he has shown that his tactical involvement can make other players better too.

He has been switched between the flanks and in forward positions with such great success only because he has learnt how to deploy his skills into the tactical aspects of the team, culminating in many memorable assists and goals which have saved the team in many instances. Razmy scored 7 goals to be joint top scorer in the EFL league.

Winning the team precious points with double against Tampines Youngsters and Team Evo and a magnificent assist against Newton Heath, are memories that Razmy will cherish in his playing time with Schwarz Star.

Razmy is only the 4^th player to be POTQ since this award was started in 2007.

Taufiq

Being a defender is Taufiq’s responsibility, being a footballer is Taufiq’s talent.

I can never find an ounce of desire to even want to substitute Taufiq from any match, unless he hurts himself, which he has done many times putting his body on the line to defend SS’s cause. I have played Taufiq from whistle to whistle in almost all the matches that he has featured in. And I don’t think anyone can begrudge him his playing time.

Clearances, headers, sweeping, tackling and scoring the occasional goal. Taufiq does it all, consistently.

And for his goals, consistency and competency, Taufiq is POTQ Jan-Mar 2009

Siva

The current first choice at the top of our Schwarz Star diamond formation, Siva, is the player of the quarter, for April to June 2008.

Our big striker amassed 5 goals during a ‘6-match-unbeaten-challenge’. This tally can be placed into even better perspective when he’d scored half of the team’s goals in this challenge.

While his adaptability and versatility, as compared to the previous 2 POTQ, would be questioned by some quarters, the old adage of ‘being the best at what you do’ rings loud and sharp in Siva’s football.

Catching up with Siva’s goal tally would need quite a big effort. This we have to recognize and to acknowledge.

Siva’s goals are usually not poached nor goals of opportunity, meaning he usually works hard for his goals. With the benefit of video to review the goal against hi-soft, he had to beat defenders and to have the awareness of placing the ball into the net. Unlike some well-known strikers who made their name in the world by poaching goals in the 6-yard box or up their tallies with dead balls, Siva is not the team’s dead-ball priority nor is he designated to the penalty spot.

Siva has also improved his chances to goal ratio since the turn of the year. Also his all round contribution in the lone role up front has to be credited for the victories that had come our way. Making play predictable for the team, holding up play, giving options, bringing other players into the game, are attributes which other players might not even have realized had infact made them look better.

Simply put, Siva doesn’t blast the ball over the bar, run himself ragged to the ground, or made to look like a monkey chasing after the ball by the opponents. Until another player is able to shoulder the role and responsibility, Siva remains the team’s top diamond.

Awards, like starting 11 will always be questioned, but I don’t think anyone can deny our big fellow, his moment of recognition for the past few months. Infact just his goals contribution is sufficient reason.

Kevin

Kevin is an ever present in the team. Be it on-field, or off-field.

His dedication and presence can be felt by players from both the first team and the squad.  And of cause, appreciated by me. Responsibility is Kevin’s forte.

Kevin has been ruthlessly switched between defence and attack and has basically played in every position except left back. However this proves his versatility and adaptability, not many players is afforded such utility.

Whenever there is a need for a tactical switch, whether to beef up the defence, or attack, Kevin’s impact will be considered and he will be indirectly or directly considered in the switch.

Many times he would be playing in a role which he is not familiar with or forced to adapt in a short time, yet I know he will be able to contribute in whatever position he plays.

I know that Kevin prefers playing in the forward position, even proving his point by scoring a beauty of a lobbed goal from all of 30 yards, catching the keeper off-guard. However, he will appreciate that by playing in various positions and understanding the roles and responsibilities of each position, will make him a better player for Schwarz star in the future.

I wish Kevin all the best in all his future endeavors. He has been very trustworthy and reliable.

Why was Taufiq ‘Player of Quarter (July-Sept’07)’?

In the beginning I didn’t notice Taufiq as he was soft-spoken and didn’t seem to be physically commanding. I remembered Taufiq only because he played as a defender and also because of Singapore’s other more famous Taufiq.

My impression was soon to change, and impressed I was.

As time had shown, Taufiq has proven not only to me, but to the whole team, as a Tough and Fair player, and even more importantly Tenacious, traits that sit well with me. He proved time and time again in his performances on the very trait that every coach would love, of ‘never-giving-up’.

Taufiq also shows his football intelligence in technical and tactical balance especially in knowing when to go for the lose ball while maintaining tactical maturity. Knowing when to stray out of position to provide cover and knowing which technique to utilize in different ball situations.

This culminated in Taufiq being utilized as a DM in one match when he scored a screamer from over 20 yards, being his reward and also present to the team. That goal will surely stay in his memory.

His personality is definitely a bonus. Some has commented that he is

‘overly-passionate’ during a match but that’s what I like. However during training, he is unassuming and always willing to listen and learn, as witnessed by everyone during the soccer camp on his ‘lecture’ on principles of play.

Taufiq definitely loves football by allowing his football do all the talking.

It doesn’t take long for a player his quality to stand-out. Taufiq has not only become the first name on the team sheet, he also has the honor of being the first player to receive the Schwarz Star Player of the Quarter July-Sept 2007. Congrats!

Taufiq wins a Nike award sponsored by Coach.