Match 60 - Defeat

PapaSoh(GK) NBA Star (LB), C Cup(CB), Kenny(CB), Old Thief(RB), Looney (LM), Commando Tan(RM), Towkay Quan(DM), Ah Lam (CM),Mervin(FW) and Kelvin(FW)

After close to 2 mths of no soccer action, along we saw the 2 Towkays appearing at NTU pitch; PapaSoh and Towkay Quan. As u can see the line up was quite good, Songbo really perform during the first half. After Kelvin virtually wasted 3 golden chances, he finally 'kio 1 durian' when the opponent keeper blunder with the ball, and he slot into an empty net. 1-0 up to SOngbo!

2nd half, Commando tan was subbed out to prevent him from recurring his old injuries. Lusty on for Old thief in the right back position. Halfway thru the 2nd half, our referee walked out on us due to him having another match at 11am. Towkay Quan was subbed out ard that time due to extreme low fitness syndrome.

Diaster came after that. 1 lucky looping shot gave the opponent the equaliser. 1-1. There was nothing Papasoh can help. Awhile later, Papasoh was on for Old thief. Not long later, opponent scored a second and it gave them the lead against Songbo. 2-1.

Papasoh had a good chance in the penalty area but he was pulled back by their left back. TigerYan was quick to point out a penalty for Songbo. PapaSoh was the one taking the spotkick and he simply wack it over the bar. Gone away a golden chance!

In less than 10 minutes to the final whistle, Songbo conceded 1 more goal and it became 3-1 down.

After the match, Sparrow was very sorrowful about the recent drop in form of Songbo. Most of the guys were sad. Sigh.......

Match 59 - Defeat

TigerYan(GK) Old Thief (LB), C Cup(CB), Kenny(CB), Lusty(RB), Looney (LM), Commando Tan(DM), Sparrow(CM), Mervin(RM), Ah Lam (FW) and Kelvin(FW)

Long awaited Commando Tan returned to our lovely NTU pitch after dunno how many mths. In the first half, the game was dull. Dull to the extent that even the crippled TigerYan (now called pussyYan by some) was not troubled at all.

Half time. Sparrow decided to sub out TigerYan cos he cant stand the sight of him limping with one leg. The "Long Pao" was thrown on the ground.....but none got the courage to wear it. Ah lam tried but its a wastage for him. And finally our old thief stod up and volunteered. Kudos to him!

Second half was dull also. Opponent had a chance and they use that chance to give them a lead against Songbo. 0-1 down!

Final whistle 0-1. 2nd defeat straight.

Charity Shield

Capt Sparrow(GK) Looney (LB), Lusty(RB), OldThief(CB), Ah Lam(CB), Kenny (LM), Kelvin(DM), NBA Star(CM), Foreign Import Shaun(RM), C Cup (FW) and Mervin(FW)

A match organised just to let the attackers have a taste of the defender's pain and the defenders to understand attacker's agony.

First min after kickoff, C-cup had a through pass, he breaks the last line of defence and with the GK to beat, he place the ball into the left side of the goalpost. 1-0 up to Songbo!

The first half was dominated by Songbo. Notably is Capt Sparrow, who had a fine day at his post, with just one point blank save. ALong came our super sprinter Kenny, who sprint past 3 players from the left flank and cut into the penalty area with a accurate shot into the right corner of the goalpost. 2-0 up to Songbo!!!

The kind of running and play is very similar from what u will see in Winning Elven PS2 game. But of course after the running, Kenny dun even have the energy to celebrate his goal.

Second half is not so exciting. Except a hit the pole by Mervin, Songbo attack was dull. The next to mention is Ah lam....who exchanged GK position with Sparrow and he did a fine job in blocking out 2 shots on target by opponents. But regretably, during the dying few minutes, a free kick by opponent saw him spill the ball and the opponenet tap in to break their duck. 2-1!

Hope everyone had a nice day on that day! =)

Tiger - Our Hero

23^rd September 2007 is a sad day for Songbo FC. It wasn’t the defeat. It wasn’t that we conceded 4 goals. It wasn’t the way we ended our 11-match unbeaten run meekly. And it was definitely not the rain.

It was the day we saw the amount of excruciating pain, the horrendous agony, the feeling of helplessness, the groaning of disappointment and the faltering spirit left in the eyes of Tiger Yan, supposedly the fittest player we got on the park.

Apparently, the stage was set. The script was written. All was going according to the plan we all had hoped for. Tiger, scoring an all-important equalizer upon his long-awaited comeback as a striker, was to be the hero of the day. The hero who would maintain our unbeaten run.

The bumpy pitch did not read the script. Neither did his knee. There were signals sent to him after his goal. With his never-say-die attitude, they were ignored. He wanted to lift the team. He wanted to help his comrades. Leaving his brothers on the battlefield never came across his mind.

The dream soon turned into strategy. Fighting for the ball, fighting for his team and closing down his enemies were all too much for his recently-injured right knee. It did not want to snap. It did not want to let his owner down. But all was too much for it to take.

One stretch, one uneven patch and there it goes. With a snap of a second, our dear Tiger was down. Those who were near will never forget the expressions on his face and the shouts of pain and disappointment. This was the Tiger who strikes fear into the toughest of defenders. This was the Tiger who scored countless of important goals.

Here he was. Lying there. Not knowing when he will ever be good to run around again. The Tiger has been shot. Not by the hunter but the fire within him who pushed him to carry on the match.

We shall be in mourning for the wounded Tiger. Fly our flag at half mast.

Sparrow with a broken heart. (@ Australia)

Match 58 - Defeat

TigerYan(GK) NBA Star (LB), C Cup(CB), Kenny(CB), Lusty(RB), Looney (LM), Leg Cramp(DM), Sparrow(CM), Kelvin(RM), Ah Lam (FW) and PapaSoh(FW)

Match at Fuhua Secondary. Pitch was full of holes. Drizzling but lucky the watchman allowed us to play. We ear red but opponents wear maroon. Poor job by referee again.

Match started within 10 min and Captain Sparrow was being penalised for bringing down the opponent and penalty awarded. Tiger guess the wrong direction and 1-0.

Second half, Tiger Yan on for papasoh. Within 20 minutes, Tiger chased towards a through pass by Captain Sparrow, being sandwiched by 2 opponents, Tiger struck the ball high just outside the penalty box and it chipped over the short GK and scored the equaliser. 1-1.

Not long later, a corner from the left was not cleared away by the defenders and the opponent saw a chance and first time volley into Songbo net. 2-1 down.
Songbo was anxious for a equaliser. 5 minutes later, Tiger was running and landed his knees in a awkward position due to pot holes and torn his already injured ligament. Was carried out and match continues.

Due to bad luck, Songbo concede 2 more goals in the dying minutes of the game with one contributed by Kelvin. NBA Star missed a clear cut point blank chance to minimise the gap.
Final whistle 4-1.

Things to learn: Its mind over body.....if we dun give up....we wun give up. Provided ur body has no defects. In the case of Tiger, its body over mind at that moment. Maybe we are tired of winning, thats y a defeat may be a good thing for us in the long run. Lets take a 1 week break and hopefully our fire will be back stronger.

Match 57 - Draw

PapaSoh(GK) NBA Star (LB), C Cup(CB), Kenny(CB), Lusty(RB), Thief (LM), Leg Cramp(DM), Sparrow(CM), Looney(RM), Ah Lam (FW) and Kelvin(FW)

Playing against the recently defeated green globins suggested that the referee is simply taking us as 3 year old kids. Paying to play against opponents just 2 weeks ago. Match was held at the long forgotten but still deeply remembered....Home of Songbo....NTU field!!!

Green globins were nothing except their foreign import CM which was lungless and fit. The match started with no clear sight of scoring. Rather funny is the left mid Green globin which provide entertainment for the audiences with crybaby rantes and sore loser comments and actions. Unfortunately, Looney was kicked in the anke and was phased out throughout the game. Midfield was busy, cos 3 players(ah lam, legcramp and sparrow) were rotating shifts to man mark their key man.

First half ended 0-0, and Papasoh was on for the striker role and the halfly fit Tiger Yan was the GK. Second half started with lots of scares and jitters. Tiger Yan due to his knee injury could not kick goalkicks well and most of the time the ball falls to the opponent legs.
One of the highlights of the match was our precious C-cup was elbowed in the left chest by the crybaby green globin. C-cup nearly fainted on the ground. Reports has shown that currently his left cup is 0.2 cm smaller than his right cup.

The only scare for Songbo was the opponent broke the offside trap and was 1 to 1 with GK tiger Yan. Tiger Yan sees no point in running forward to cover the shooting angle, stood his ground and the opponent simply tap the ball to his arms. A close shave for Songbo.
Match ended 0-0.

Things to Learn: We should be more adaptive to different playing grounds. Because we are too comfortable in smaller fields, we kinda lose our direction when going to a normal size pitch. It requires soley on the mentality of each individual.

Match 56 - Win

PapaSoh(GK) NBA Star (LB), C Cup(CB), Kenny(CB), Lusty(RB), Thief (LM), Leg Cramp(DM), Sparrow(CM), Looney(RM), Ah Lam (FW) and Kelvin(FW)

Match 56 was played at Riverside Secondary. We had a good record over there. 100% win. The opponents were not to be looked down, mostly in their 30s and some 40s, made up of thais, malays and indians. Though they had 2 chinese in the squad but they were 'Ba Ka', one being the striker. One thing to note is they had a close to 6 foot tall GK, though looks old and still dye his hair, his goalkeeping skills were to be praised.

SB controlled most of the game and they had quite alot of good chances but could not finish. Fortunately Kelvin had a good chance and he strike the ball low, and the GK was not flexible enough to dive for it. 1-0.

Half time, SB still continue to be holding the game. Looney has a few shots but all were easily saved by the GK. Ah Lam had a few clear cut chances inside the penalty box, but he choose to pass instead of giving it a shot. A throw in from the right sideline towards Sparrow inside the penalty area, he head the ball in such an acute angel that the GK had no chance to save it. 2-0!

10 minutes before the match ends, Papasoh swoop for LegCramp. Legcramp upon doning the gk jersey made a fine punch from a free kick. But not long later, he was caught off position and concede a goal to the left bottom. 2-1.

Full time. SB won 2-1.

Thing to learn: SB had no 3rd choice GK. Playing in a shorter field indeed plays to SB strength. There is no 50 cents teh in singapore, the last one has been bought by Tiger Yan.

Match 55 - Win

Tiger Yan(GK) Jun Ming (LB), C Cup(CB), Kenny(CB), Lusty(RB), Sui Quan (LM), Looney(DM), Sparrow(CM), Mervin(RM), Ah Lam (FW) and Kelvin(FW)

Just to clarify......it is the authentic Match 54. The one with the stupid hotspur logo written by the Looney, was supposed to be Match 55. It was up late due to some mourning ceremony for Man Utd and also Tiger Yan busy and heavy schedule. Tiger Yan contributions to the blog far surpassed anyone, he even took up the trouble to write the blog and is the all-time photographer for SB. Lets not be pissed with him.

A day with 2 imports and virtually no substiutes. Jun Ming and Sui Quan(C cup elder brother). Match started within 10 min, Jun Ming inability to swipe the ball out of the field instead trying to dribble the ball, gave the opponent a chance to rob him of his ball and granted him a chance to slot to an empty net. Keeper Tiger was running upfront prepared to clear the ball if Jun Ming ever pass back. 1 down but all was not lost......Looney dribbling ball on the right side of the penalty box, cuts in to the centre and unleash an unstoppable left foot shot towards the left goal post. 1-1!!!!

During the second half, Tiger was hitting the mosquitoes. Somewhere in the middle of the half, Kelvin was entering the penalty area and he was tackled from behind by the opponent GK. PENALTY!
Haha....if its not an important chance, the penalty taker would be Lusty. Looney takes up the responsibility and he scored from the spot. 2-1!!!!!!!

Some minutes later.....kelvin had a disagreement with the opponent, he gave the opponent a push and the opponent push him back and he added a shove on Kelvin head. The referee gave Kelvin a yellow and the opponent a red.
Match ended 2-1.


Things to learn: Winning is not important.....the biggest winner is the one that learn the most. Playing with imports is not easy, its glad that SB showed character. Dun get complacent.

Songbo FC Breaks Club Record

With a Win on our Match 56 (our blog shows Match 54, so there are some match reports missing...), we have broken our previous run of 9 unbeaten games from Match 18 to Match 26. The previous record breaks down into 6 wins and 3 draws. Our new ongoing record of 10 unbeaten games consist of 8 wins and 2 draws....that's championship form guys!

Let's work together to further our record. With some of our teammates' recent form, most notably Rujia with 8 goals in his last 9 games, it should not be a problem.

P.S. That's a quality report from Jackie...I think it's a good idea to ask him to write more reports next time.

Match 54 - Win

Starting line up: PapaSoh(GK) Kai Cheng (RB), C Cup(CB), Kenny(CB), NBA Star(LB), Thief (LM), Leg Cramp(DM), Sparrow(CM), Looney(RM), Ah lam (AMC) and Kelvin(FW)

Match Location : Dunearn Sec School
Kickoff Time : 9am
Opponents : Green Globins

We approached this match with gloom knowingly from the news of an injury to our Tiger Yan, news is that he has incurred the injury thru a sports game in school. But injury aside we are still psyched up for this tough match with the green globins.
Match kicks off at 9am sharp with the eric lookalike botak as the referee. It started off as a fast pace match with lots of running and chasing for the Songbo team as the Green Globins controlled the match with one of their midfield man pulling the strings for them. Songbo FC is under immense pressure for most of the 1st half and in the 30th min GG finally broke the resistence defending of SB and scored a fluke goal through a shot cum pass for a tap in by the black globin.
SCORE GG 1 SB 0
SB kicks off again knowing that we have to put in extra effort in order to bring the score level, and not surprisingly SB fought back and score a goal through the sublime skills of the Cap Sparrow. He pulled through from the GG defence and dribbled pass not 1 but 3 defenders to score the equalizing goal.
SCORE GG 1 SB 1
Close approaching half time and SB stood firm with their astute defending and we go into half time with the score level.
--2nd half--
GG kicksoff the 2nd half without their main midfielder and the GG looks like a lost cause on the pitch and looks like they will be slaughtered in this 2nd half of the game with their lethargic passing and defending. And within 20 minutes from the restart, Cap Sparrow strikes again with another similar goal from the 1st half, by latching on to a through ball and dribbling pass 2 defenders and scored the goal that puts SB in front.
SCORE GG 1 SB 2
Within a few minutes from the kick off Ah lam finally scores with an exquisite shot from outside the box, the ball curled pass the on rushing defenders and into the top corner. wat a goal to seal the match.
FINAL SCORE GG 1 SB 3
The scoreline could have been even more emphatic if not for some stout defending from the GG side. But nevertheless it is a great result for the Song Bo FC and they looks set to continue their winning streak.

Match 53 - Win

Starting line up: Tiger Yan(GK) Lusty (LB), C Cup(CB), Kenny(CB), NBA Star(RB), Looney (LM), Leg Cramp(DM), Sparrow(CM), Spar Tan(RM), PapaSoh (FW) and Kelvin(FW)

Match was at Dunearn Sec for the dunno how many times and the opponents were the uncles that counting this time shld be the 3rd time we facing them. Though we held on higher agrregate 3-2. Old uncles were clearing missing their key player DM...who basically can outhead anyone in the midfield. Songbo had more chances and more possession in the first half. The breakthrough came from Looney who unleash a looping cross from the left flank and all it takes was a simple head in by Kelvin and 1-0! Songbo was in control.

Sun was hot and Tiger Yan was on for PapSoh and Ah Lam for Spar Tan. 2nd half was totally in control again. A super long throw in by NBA Star from the left flank saw Tiger Yan latching the ball inside the penalty area. Standing exactly at the same left side of the penalty box....Tiger Yan unleash an upstoppable shot into the top corner of the net. 2-0! He finally did what he cant did the previous match (but was reprimanded by Sparrow for hitting the ball too hard). The unlces were down 2 goals and patience was clearly losing. They subbed in an uncle wearing basketball shorts....though looking damn cock and funny, he is one kind of a loser...keep playing rough with Songbo and in one moment he hit the legs of Ah Lam without any threat....clearly a person that dun seems to have much success in life. Ah Lam was a nice guy, he heck care the uncle and carry on his game. Another shortie uncle to take note. Wearing 11.....he was bascially trying to agitate players rather than playing ball.....and after having a go at nearly all the players....he found his target.....Looney!
The game though getting tighter but uncles were uncles...they made mistakes. A chip from Leg Cramp saw the ball travel towards the penlaty area....the uncle wearing the basketball shorts tried to head the ball but it bounces back and Tiger was there to capitalise on the loose ball....he took past their No.11 and slot it home....3-0! Woohooo.......clearly in cruise control.
But closing to the game....Songbo gave away 2 goals to the opponents and things were getting a bit jittery. Not long later....their no.11 had a bad tackle on Looney and both were swearing at each other, clearly not putting the referee in sight. The young indian referee decided to flash red cards to the 2 of them and off they go.
Match ended 3-2.

Things to learn: Do not fall into the traps of opponents. The little stuffs they do is to break ur temper and concentration down. We need some penetrating through pass from the midfield to add dimensions to our game. Against a team with not much skills.....we shld try not to give them much space and time to think. Once they get the ball, go in for them and make them panic.

Match 52 - Win

Starting line up: Tiger Yan(GK) Lusty (LB), C Cup(CB), Kenny(CB), Thief(RB), Ah Lam (LM), Leg Cramp(DM), Sparrow(CM), Spar Tan(RM), PapaSoh (FW) and Kelvin(FW)

The match was played at the lousier field near NTU main field. Due to the orientation grp using the field, we have no choice but to move downhill and play. The opponents were not as well prepared as us....the match started with they having 9 players on the field. But Songbo was never a world peace team. They capitalise on their handicap and field 10 men against the opponents. Field was muddy but Songbo had way too much experience against these newbies. Few minutes from the start, Captain Sparrow unleash a weak long shot and beat the GK....not long later....Kelvin added 2 goals....and papsoh grabbed one also. But due to lousy goalkeeping from Tiger Yan, he could not catch hold of a weak free weak and it rebounded to the opponent for him to tap in. KNS...4-1. Few minutes before half time....Sparrow unleash his trademark long shot and this time it looped over the GK and its 5-1. Half time.

Tiger on for PapaSoh, junrong for Kenny and JunMing for Ah Lam. This time opponents had same number of players as Songbo. The game was full of jokes....Songbo for the first time saw how slow a man can run(Junrong)....how a man can trap a powerful ball using his tummy(Junrong) and how a man command the whole back four with less than 3 match experience(Junrong). Songbo also witness how Tiger Yan with close to 10 clear cut chances...jus managed to score 1. The game ended 6-1.....kudos to Leg Cramp and Sparrow for cutting off their midfield supply.

Things to Learn: Do not act u wanna get subbed in when u are wearing jus a pair of slippers. Do not act u r limping when u are getting closer to ur teammates. If u wanna limp, limp from the start. Dun try to keng and cast doubts the match will continue due to some rain.....dun ever try cos the RSM is out to hunt u. Wearing predator boots and driving Lexus dun gurantee u success on field.

Match 51 - Draw

Starting Line up: Tiger Yan (GK), C-cup(DC), Kenny(DC), NBA Star(DL), Lusty(DR), Mervin(MR), Ah Lam (DM), Looney (CM), Thief(ML), Kelvin (FW) and Alvin Toh (FW)


Playing at kranji Secondary. No bathrooms, no water supply. Lousiest SSC field ever. Missing 3 players at the start due to some delays in buying a car. Looney finally break his drought with a nice shot from the right flank. But the opponents equalised upon a poor clearance from our defender. Sad to say, our golden striker Alvin Toh, injured his knee again. It looks very serious. With Toh down, Papasoh down and Ah Lam injuring his ankle(1 day later).....we can forsee a crisis in Songbo FC. Final time 1-1.

Things to learn: Heroes emerge from a crisis. Lets put wat we have learnt in the past in our next match. Lets not respect opponents too much. Giving them a knock is letting them learn, n thats a good deed. Lets do more good deeds k.

Match 50 - Win

Starting Line up: Tiger Yan (GK), C-cup(DC), Kenny(DC), NBA Star(DL), Lusty(DR), Kelvin(MR), Zouk Chua (DM), Sparrow (CM), Thief(ML), Ah Lam (FW) and Alvin Toh (FW)


Against Thief's fren. The one we played at the start of our new season in May. Hearing them say they had never lose b4, motivates us to do even better. The field was short, both team play very compact. Hard to play long balls and through pass. First half was 0-0. But 2nd half was more exciting. 2 goals from our Captain Sparrow, gave us hope that we are not going home empty handed. He is truely the man of the match. Though opponent scored one back...Songbo is still steady and unbreakable. Final time 2-1.

Things to learn: Carry soccer balls with you whenever you leave a place. Due to some bad blood between the 2 teams. The opponents took away 3 of our soccer balls. We must treat soccer balls as our wives. No balls....no game.

Match 49 - Win

Starting Line up: Tiger Yan (GK), C-cup(DC), Kenny(DC), NBA Star(DL), Lusty(DR), Spar_Tan(MR), Zouk Chua (DM), Sparrow (CM), Looney(ML), Papasoh (FW) and Alvin Toh (FW)

Playing at Fuchun Secondary. We play against of uncles with dun have much fancy skills but lots of rough tackling and smelly little tricks to irritate players. Papasoh scored the first goal after a blunder from their GK. But Opponents were lucky to equalise b4 first half. Opponents have a 'Luca Toni' that keeps eating our C Cup, grabbing his shirt and tickling his nipples and balls. Tiger Yan being the striker in the 2nd half, keep playing sprinting with their defenders till those old man cant take it, leading to him scoring 2 goals and 1 more from Alvin Toh. Toh has been impressing since he recovered from injury. Final time 4-1.

Things to learn: Dun be mentally or emotionally affected by opponents. Down to the crunch time, its real skill and fighting spirit that brings us through. We are all going to be Cat Y, we cant be playing like boys. Lets take every knock, every scolding and every game, a learining experience for us. We are nothing if we play 50 games and never really reflect on what we been through. Opponents will get tougher and tougher, we have to improve to survive in this arena.