This 2nd week of ARMY life in Pasir Laba was filled with theory and practical tests. There were theory test in TSR(Training Safety Regulations), practical tests in techical handling of the latest weapons SAR-21, GPMG SAW, ARMBRUST METADOR and not forgetting the navigation exercise. Im glad that i've cleared all the tests well. :)
Friday we had our first IPPT, and im thankful my fitness from Tekong is still here in Pasir Laba. and because of that $200 extra for this month! :)
And of coz the higlight of this week would be the SISPEC's Sports Day!
There were basically 5 sports to participate for; Soccer, Basketball, Volleyball, Tug-O-War and Route Relay. A week before i was chosen as the Soccer I/C so as to gather the best players from the company to participate in the 9-a-side inter-company tournament. I was given only 14 slots for the team but there was at least 17 players to choose from and so, i had such a dilemma to drop 3 of them.
Anyway, it was for the benefit for the team and i had to made that decisive choice. That night before the actual event, our CSM(Company Sergeant Major) called up the respective sports captain for an urgent meeting. He wanted to know which sports has the most confidence to win because there's this 'Joker Card', which will double the points for the sports we bet on it. When he asked me, i told him, "We'll try our best, but i do not want to put that pressure on the team". And that, the 'Joker Card' was given to the Basketball team.
Hotel Company, where i belong to, was the Defending Champion for the previous Sport's Day, and so, the expectation was high. However, soccer was never a forte for us, and so we're the underdogs. Charlie, Bravo, Juliet and Kilo company are the top 4 favourites. I decide to give them a peace of mind and told them "try your best, have fun do our company proud". I used what i've learnt from the years of experience from Football Manager(haha!) to come up with a formation and strategy so as everyone in the team can compliment with each other's abilites. Just after we settled down at the granstand, it was announced,"First match of the day, Hotel company vs Bravo company!"
The strategy i came up with. ITS OK IF YOU DON"T UNDERSTAND! haha
Quarter Final:
My close buddy from PJC, Redzuan was in Bravo and i was happy to meet him once again for a game. The 1st half we were pushed back all the way deep into our penalty box because we hadn't really settled down and get our momentum. 2nd half was better when we had some glittering chances but spurned it, including one which hit the post. And it ended 0-0, PENALTY SHOOTOUT and we won! in which i missed mine. hai..
Semi Final:
That was when we finally played beautiful football! we played against Golf company and we dominated the whole match. The first goal came when i started the counter-attack and dribbled from halfway line and assisted Kanu, our left milfielder for a tap in. i scored the 2nd goal after we did another swift counter-attack! 2-0 the final score. :)
FINALS!:
I was nervous yet quietly confident that we can win, but Juliet company has some of the best individual talents, ranging from club players and national U-18 player. I told the team before the game "Guys we've come this far, and we've exceed our expectation, let's finish this off!"
First half we dominated the match, but 2nd half was a hard-fought one. It was such a demoralising moment when 5 mins to the final whistle, they scored! It was a miscommuication in the team and they took that chance. Determined, we quickly took the kick-off and before i knew it, i earned a freekick for the team. Rayyan, our right midfielder, took it and scored! The match went on for the next few mins with us spurning one chances after another, and it ended 1-1. to PENALTY SHOOTOUT!
The penalty rule is that there will only be three kicks for each side. I was not confident to take it(since i missed mine during the 1st match), but the team insisted that captain should! I agreed but i told them im taking the last one coz i was really hoping that we would finish the shootout fast and not to dragged it till the last kicker!
1st kicker from Juliet: That U18 National player scored!
1st kicker from Hotel: Roland, our ex-VJC centre back scored!
2nd kicker from Juliet: Saved!
2nd kicker from Hote: Rayyan Saved!
3rd kicker from Juliet: Saved!
And Kanu, turned to me, "its all up to you man."
I was so nervous that i can feel the body stiffened! As walked to the penalty spot, i didnt look up, placed the ball and adjusted my socks to buy some time for me to calm down. As i take the 3 step backwards( yes i count it!), i saw the keeper was praying i guess, placing both hands over his mouth looking down, then look up and started jumping around and waving his arms. For once, suddenly i feel the goalpost is so small! Flash of memories appeared upon me about how Terry missed the penalty during the Champions League Final between Manutd and Chelsea. and there's similarity to it. Our team was wearing blue, i being the captain, and taking that decisive penalty kick!
I didnt plan where to slot that ball, i didnt even think what kind of celebration to do IF i do score. i ran up and sidefooted it...
AND
SCOREEE!!
My mind was blank momentarily, and the next thing i knew i was running back to my team, screaming in joy! They jumped over me and gave me one of the gay-est hug i ever had! hahaha. the rest of the 200 company mates ran into the field and joined in with the excitement. I won't blame anyone if from afar, you mistaken it for a Euro 08 victory! haha.
This trophy will remind me how much the team worked hard for it.
Moments after that, CSM came up to me personally to congratulate over the team's success. I was delighted for the team as we overcame the odds, worked hard for each other, team spirit, the never-say-die attitude, and as what people always say,
thats the TRUE UNDERDOG STORY.
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