vs Khalsa (090706)

What a turnaround! We were dead and buried at halftime cos Khalsa seemed to be getting into their stride but somehow we managed to rise from the dead and delivered two killer blows..It was definitely our toughest win so far but we can be proud of our 3-2 victory.

The game was again started in controversial circumstances cos it seems like everyone likes to come late for games. Perhaps this was excusable considerin the timin of the game and the World Cup but it did mean our 1st team was not really prepared to start the game. Despite this, we managed to score first against Khalsa when a mistimed hit from Jigar somehow found it's way into our opponent's D and Edwin was on hand to blast home a shock opener. And this was bout 5 minutes into the game.

The game then really got into gear. A short corner was unusually fluffed by Coach Nirmal. This seemed to give confidence to the young and skilful Khalsa team. With their coach shouting from the touchlines, they got into gear. Utilising their left half, they repeated flicked the ball down the line to exploit openings. With time, they started to break into our D, and eventually earned themselves a short corner. Their well worked set play opened up a glorious chance to equalise and they did not disappoint by calmly sweeping the ball in. Another short corner resulted in yet another goal for Khalsa when despite the best attempts of Manish, the 2nd ball was won back by Khalsa at top D after their initial short corner had been parried out. With one slick movement, their attacker was on hand at the far post to tap in their second.

With Temasek missing their inspirational midfield player Zarir, it seemed as though we were lacking the extra gear to really trouble the Khalsa players. At half time, it seemed we had a mountain to climb cos chances had been minimal after Khalsa had got into their groove and hit back with 2 goals.

However, we refused to give up and the 2nd half started with Temasek starting to break into our opponent's half. Fatigue seemed to have crept in and Khalsa seemed somewhat jaded. We started to cause mayhem down their flanks and we were duly rewarded when Yang Wei managed to cut into their D from a through ball and cooly blasted past their keeper. 2-2. Game on. Special mention must also be given to Edwin who went on several jinking runs with one which almost earned him a goal only to see his reverse stick shot being saved by the Khalsa keeper.

With the equaliser, Temasek sensed the tide had changed and continued pressing forward. Coach Nirmal broke into their D once again and cooly looked up to set up a simple tap in for Edwin. Wad a moment. 2-1 down at half time to 3-2 up!! With the final whistle, Temasek once again proved victorious. Another difficult game next week but let us cherish this hard fought victory.

Special mentions:

Huzer- seems like he ran more in this game but just ask Jigar, he'll tell u how much he ran..
Coach Nirmal- announced his retirement after this season and had another solid game despite his hits being unusually off.
Robin- seems he always gives us another option when he's around.
Ang Mo kio Gerald- managed to keep his intregity against the 10 year old left winger from Khalsa and had an excellent game despite not playin for so long.
Edwin- Match sharpness seems to be improving as we saw from the numerous chances he created. Our 2 goal hero and thus wins the Man of the Match award. (NSwhoMotMa)
Azzo- his flick of the day was one of the highlights of the game cos everyone was angry that he had wasted one ball. Straight to the 2nd floor.
Ahmad- for getting a card for pointing his stick to the sky and stopping the flicked ball. Haha!

Special note

We will all take a moment to remember how Azzo, coming 5 mins late for the game celebrated with us at full time.. Then he realised that Edwin had scored 2 and Yang Wei one. That meant 3-2. Poor Azzo, he thought we had drawn 2-2 and that was why we were celebrating at the whistle. He had no clue we had scored before his arrival. He claimed he would have played differently if he had known the actual score. Thank god he did not...haha!!

Special tribute

Breaking News!! Derrick Wee teck chye has officially quit hockey. Let's take a moment to remember a player who blocked a certain Neil goal as well as scored against ACJC in 2004. A exciting winger, he will be missed. Citing his lost of passion for the game, we can only take inspiration from the gifted player who once awed us with his mazy runs down the flanks.. A truly sad day for Temasek Hockey. I repeat! He will be missed.. Okay can i have ur jersey back? Haha. Cos we need the jersey. HAHA!!