Not A Good Test

Opponents: Hougang U23 Team

Time & Date: 1530 hrs on 240606

Venue: Pasir Ris Cresent Secondary School

Field Conditions: Decent

Weather: Sunny with intermitten drizzles

Team Line-up: Alvin (GK), JueHai, ZhangWei, Weide (CPT), Bingde, Rayner, WeiChern, SiuChun, BoonHwee, Elson, Benny

Subs: WeiWei, Kenny, XinCheng

Built-up to the match:
After the defeat to Advicer Alliance FC, Mc Lucky FC was looking forward to a better performance against their next opponents. The origins of our opponents were somewhat shrouded in mystery, with the only information about them gathered when a few of the McLucky players shared a kickabout session with some of them on a obscure field in the opposition stronghold of hougang. Numbers were exchanged and a matched was arranged.

From their appearances, Hougang U23 Team looked much younger and smaller in physical built than the McLucky players. How good they are as football players would be made known after 80mins of action on the rather decent Pasir Ris Cresent Pitch.

Match Highlights:

10min: McLucky gets taken by surprise when No.10 of Hougang U23 Team scores with a scorcher from the edge of the penalty box. Alvin Lee, the stand-in keeper, had no chance at all as the box was rifled into the bottom left corner of the goal. 1-nil to Hougang U23 Team.

15min: A morale-boosting equalizer from Elson, McLucky's foreign import from AHS's 4D Team, who showed his physical poweress to put the ball into the net after a long ball into the opponents' half.

20min: Penalty! The opponent's No. 10 collapses under pressure from Rayner who had his arms around him. The world No.2 Referee (some say No.1 after Graham Poll's blunder) points to the spot. Anxious faces were everywhere in the McLucky team.
Fortunately, a moment of sheer class from Alvin Lee denied Hougang U23 Team from taking the lead once again. Guessing correctly the direction of the penalty, McLucky's stand-in keeper produced a world-class save. This was the turning point of the match as McLucky awoke from their slumber to impose themselves on the game.

25min: Elson once again proves his worth with a well-taken goal to put the team in front.

30min: A pass to Kenny inside the opponents' penalty area and he makes no mistake with a solid shot into the top left corner of the goal. This continues his incredible record of at least 1 goal per game for McLucky FC.

35min: A good build-up leads to the ball being delivered to WeiWei on the right. He produces a perfect cross for BoonHwee who heads the ball into the top left corner of the post. Goal! 4-1 to McLucky.

40min: Half-time. Capt Ong urges the team to maintain their focus and not to get complacent. He reminds the team that they are capable of a better performance.

45min: Benny increases the lead when he converts a cross from the right which eluded the whole of Hougang U23 Team's defence.

48min: Alvin showed good striker's instinct to slam the ball in after Hougang U23 Team failed to clear a corner from SiuChun. The Keeper-turned-Striker then indulged into an elaborate array of celebrations with what looked like a tumble and roll on the ground followed by some shaking of his fingers which were shaped like guns aka Robbie Keane. 6-1. And looks like there are more to come.

53min: A high ball pumped into McLucky's defence evaded everyone except Hougang U23 Team's striker. Stand-in-Stand-in keeper WeiChern fails to get the ball off him as he advances into the penalty box. A scramble ensued as McLucky defenders rushed back to prevent a goal but the ball still ends up at the back of the net. 6-2. A laspe in concentration from the defence.

60min: Elson completes his hat-trick as Hougang U23 defenders fail to cope with his physical presence once again.

70min: The moment of the match. A freekick was conceded at the edge of Hougang U23 Team's
penalty box. A yellow card was awarded to 1 of the opposing players who had elbowed Alvin in the neck. The referee observed signs of distress on Alvin Lee's face and blew the whistle. Up stepped SiuChun, the freekick specialist of McLucky. Exposing a gap in the wall set up by Hougang U23, SiuChun slammed the ball into the top right corner of the goal. A world class goal that took the breath of all who were lucky enough to witness that moment of magic.

75min: Yellow card awarded to BoonHwee for diving in the box. Ironic cheers from his team-mates who applaud the referee's decision.

80min: End of the match.

FINAL SCORE: McLucky FC 8 Hougang U23 Team 2

Post-mortem:
Although there were smiles all around after recording a large victory over the youngsters from Hougang, the ever-wise Capt Ong brought everyone back to earth with this quote-of-the-day : This was not a good test. Indeed, the gulf in standards was painfully obvious to all present. After all the intense debate about McLucky's tactics and style of play, evaluation of the new 4-3-3 system must be put on hold until after next week's match against KheeYong's team. I'm sure they would prove to be a better test.

Power Overwhelming

Mclucky FC Vs Advisors Alliance

Time: 3.00 pm (40 minutes per half)

Venue: Tanglin Field 1

Starting Line-up:

Kelvin

ChunWei EeYang WeiDe ZhangWei

Ben SiuChun Rayner SinCheng

Alvin BoonWee

( 4-4-2)

Subs: Leslie, WeiChern, BingDe

Pre Match

Following their massive 6-1 demolition of Jackson's Team, Mclucky were off to the semi-remote Tanglin Field to face off with Advisors Alliance (I remember them having a proper team name, but I forgot what it was, so we'll just have to make do with what was printed on their jerseys...). Advisors Alliance, with many middle-aged members and a few younger ones mixed in between, were up against a young and energetic Mclucky team. Experience versus Youth. Composure versus Gung-ho. Who would prevail? Mclucky FC also welcomed the return of Wei Chern, who is in Singapore during his term break from study in Australia.

Team Tactics: Players were told to maximise their superior speed advantage and pass the ball around whenever Mclucky had possession to try to wear the opponents down. The long ball tactic used in previous matches was also to be put to use, with the ball being played down the flanks towards the corner flags. Our strikers, Alvin and Boon Wee, were told to spread their play towards the flanks in support of the wingers.

Match Highlights

1st Half

Mclucky concede their fastest goal ever in all the matches played so far. Within a minute of play, No.14 hits a left-footed shot which hits Eeyang and lobs over the stranded goalkeeper into goal. This is what the papers would term as a "fluke" goal while the rest will just say "Tyco!". 1-0. Advisors Alliance claim first blood.

Goalkeeper Kelvin then shows the rest why he should remain as No.1 for Mclucky when he makes a goal line clearance in the 7th minute after No.14 pounces and strikes on a long ball again. No.14 of Advisors Alliance is proving to be quite a handful for the Mclucky defenders, who try hard to deprive him of the ball. Substitution for Mclucky FC is made in the 22th minute, when Bing De replaces Zhang Wei at left-back. Siu Chun is then replaced by Wei Chern in the 24th minute in an attempt to improve the fluidity of Mclucky's play.

Mclucky then get the chance to equal the score in the 25th minute, when the referee awards them a penalty after No.21 (known to us as the "ang moh") handles the ball in the penalty area. Wei Chern makes no mistake from the spot as he fires home to put Mclucky on level terms. 1-1 and all square.

The tactical formation of Mclucky FC is then reshuffled in order to accomodate the introduction of Leslie into play, who replaces Ben and will operate in the middle together with Wei Chern. Rayner moves further down to play at right-back while Chun Wei is pushed up to operate in the right wing.

The introduction of Leslie almost results in a goal when Mclucky are awarded a free-kick outside the opposition's penalty box. Leslie gets the resultant kick on target but the keeper saves.

Siu Chun is then paired up with Alvin as Mclucky's striking duo after Boon Wee leaves the field in the 33rd minute. Ben then slots in on the left wing after replacing Sin Cheng three minutes later.

The unthinkable then happens just before half-time when No.14 of Advisors Alliance scores his second goal after latching on to yet another long ball after Eeyang mis-times his interception.

2-1. He then registers his hat-trick in the closing moments of the first half, scoring via ANOTHER long ball. 3-1. Double salvo in double minutes. Half time and Mclucky are down by two goals. They had better find a way to counter Advisors Alliance's long ball tactic.

Half Time

After much discussion, it was though that Mclucky's defence line was operating too far up on the

field. Instructions were then given to players to try to anticipate the movement of the ball while Wei De was assigned the role of sweeper in order to prevent any the of Advisors Alliance's strikers (particularly No.14) from latching onto long balls played from their half. Boon Wee regains his striking role in front while Siu Chun was placed in a withdrawn striker's role behind him. Leslie and Wei Chern remain in mid-field while Sin Cheng comes in for Chun Wei in the right wing.

Second Half

Mclucky are unable to break through the well-discliplined Alliance defence for a good 20 minutes before substitutions are made in order to introduce fresher legs onto the field. Sin Cheng is taken off and Chun Wei reverts to his role in the right wing while Siu Chun is taken off his withdrawn striker's role. Rayner replaces him and Alvin comes in for Boon Wee to regain his target striker's role.

33 minutes into the 2nd half, and Advisors Alliance are awarded a free-kick outside Mclucky's box. No.8 ("Jack") takes a good whack at the ball and it flies into the net, leaving the goalkeeper grasping thin air. 4-1. Advisors Alliance seem to be doing a demolition job.

Mclucky then manage to score a consolation goal via Ben when he gets the ball into the net from close range after the Alliance's defenders had missed Weide's long free-kick from the half-way line. 4-2 and the matches ends that way.

Post Match comments

What a footballing lesson the Advisors Alliance folks gave Mclucky FC. A well discliplined defence, good passing of the ball, composure under pressure and lots of stamina to show for their age. I won't say the Mclucky lads lack pace and stamina, but the defence is certainly messy at times while the movement of the ball also seemed limited. Defenders were often seen going for the same ball, resulting in more open space created for opposition strikers to run into. Crosses into the opponent's box from the flanks were also relatively poor, therefore the strikers did not get the service they so badly needed.

You would have realised by now that our goals from this match came from a winger and a penalty taken by a midfielder. No service = No goals in this case, unless we had Khee Yong who is fast and is able to fend off more physical defenders. I believe he more efficient at receiving the ball from deep and running at opposing defenders.

Boon Wee is quick too but he lacks the physical build to fend off larger-sized opponents and is easily muscled off the ball. This is where Alvin comes into play. Using his large build, he is able to hold up the ball up and lay it on for oncoming supporting players. However during the match, the defenders assigned to mark him were much bigger-sized than he was, therefore he was unable to hold on to the ball for extended periods of time.

What I suggest is that Mclucky should play a 4-3-3 system when attacking while changing back into a 4-5-1 when the oppenent is in possesion of the ball. Place Alvin in the middle of the 3-men attack, while placing Boon Wee/Ben/Chun Wei beside Alvin as forwards. A 4-5-1 will allow players to aim the ball at Alvin for a quick counter-attack when we regain possession of the ball. The forwards will then leave their midfield role and roam further up in support of Alvin. (Alvin you can also start to train to "turn and shoot on sight")

Siu Chun/Rayner/Leslie/Wei Chern/Sin Cheng can then operate as a 3-men midfield to keep things tight in the middle.

Sin Cheng has vision and can pass short balls with ease, but let's admit it, the dude has to improve on his crossing. Why not place him in midfield? The flanks is not really where he belongs to as Mclucky's "down the flank" playing style requires the wingers to possess pace and stamina, which he does not have a load of. Perhaps he will do better in midfield, we will never know until we try.

My choice of Boon Wee/Ben/Chun Wei as forwards are explained in this way. All three have pace and agility. Ben and Boon Wee offer more attacking options as they like to cut into the centre of the field. They can draw defenders away from Alvin and create more open spaces for attacks. This works vice-versa between them and Alvin. On the other hand,Chun Wei, though less willing to cut into the middle, offers a more flexible option as he seems tireless and I am quite sure he will be the first to rush back to help out the midfield during an opponent's counter-attack. (Provided he does not suffer from cramps =X)

Ultimately who plays where depends on Mclucky's style of play for that day, and it is the Captain, Wei De, who makes the decisions. So many choices and so many styles... Which one will you pick? 4-4-2 and down the line passing? Or 4-3-3 that goes into 4-5-1 while defending? 3-5-2? 4-2-4? Hahaha... No matter what formation, it takes a lot of disclipline to keep the formation in shape and to use the formation to its full advantage. That we must try to do.

Upcoming matches

Guys, here are the details of the matches.

Match #1
Date: 24th June 2006
Time: 3-5pm
Venue: Pasir Ris Crest Sec
Opponent: Some team from hougang ( No info about them)
Attire: White
Meeting point: 2.15pm at Pasir Ris Crest Sec

Match #2
Date: 1st July 2006
Time: 3-5pm
Venue: Pasir Ris Crest Sec
Opponent: Kheeyong's team
Attire: White
Meeting point: 2.15pm at Pasir Ris Crest Sec

Match #3
Date: 8th July 2006
Time: 3-5pm
Venue: Pasir Ris Crest Sec
Opponent: Zongwei's team ( the team we lost 3-1 at Jln Damai)
Attire: Blue
Meeting point: 2.15pm at Pasir Ris Crest Sec

Note: Bus no. 358 from Pasir Ris Interchange goes to Pasir Ris Crest Sec.

From now onwards, after you have finished doing your warm-up, take the ball and do some juggling or shorts passes among each other. When there's at least 5 per group, you can begin playing monkey.

When playing monkey ( or some call it pig in the middle), the area is supposed to be small. Firstly, start with 2 touches then when you are getting comfortable with the ball, you can play one touch. It's your turn to be a monkey if your pass is intercepted by the monkey or your pass go out of the circle.

Another alternative is to practise juggling as a group. Keep the ball in the air as long as possible. 3 touches and pass the ball to your fellow teammate. Do it in a circle.

Please refrain from playing the corners and shooting. Those are only secondary. We should get our basics right first.

Alvin now has a ball bag. Any of you who wishes to contribute your footballs to the team can bring them along.

-doubleU

Flying colours

Hey guys, after playing a handful of matches, draped in different shades of blue, different designs of jerseys, it's time we go professional. No, we're no joining the S-league yet.

This discussion has been on all the time but we can never decide on the colours of the jerseys. So now I take this opportunity to lay out a few nominations for you guys to vote.Some criteria to ponder about.
1. No more blue or white.
2. Colours that are seldom worn by other teams in order not to clash with them.
1. Pink Top and Black Shorts. A parody of Juventus away kit.

2. Did someone say Portugal? Finally we can call ourselves Maroon 11.


3. Some what like the Swedes. In fact, their playing style is quite similar to ours too. Ahem...

4. Others.

So place your vote by leaving a 'comment'. If the three choices still do not appeal to you, you can say out your preference and it will be taken into consideration. Please vote wisely. You are going to wear these colours on the pitch.

Remember voting is compulsory.


-doubleU

The Floodgates Open For Mclucky FC

Mclucky FC Versus Jackson's Team

Time: 3.40pm (40 mins per half)

Venue: Some Field In Bishan

Starting Line-up:

Kelvin

Zhang Wei Eeyang Weide Jue Hai

Edwin Siu Chun Rayner Sin Cheng

Alvin Boon Wee

Subs: Elson (ST), Chun Wei (Mid), Nicky (ST), Da Hao (Def), Yang Teng (Def)

Pre Match

The match had originally been scheduled to take place at Bendemeer Secondary School, but due to the heavy rain that poured earlier on or some say, the lazy school field care-taker, the playing condition of the venue was deemed unsuitable. An alternative was found and the Mclucky lads found themselves in the middle of Bishan as they prepared to face an old foe, in Jackson's Team ( JT ), the team which they had drew with during an earlier match at Tanglin Field. New faces were placed between the sticks for both sides. Mclucky, with Kelvin as their goalkeeper this time round, were certain that their goalkeeping woes had been solved once and for all. With Chun Wei recovering from a slight injury on his foot, Edwin was preferred to start on the right side of mid-field.

Jue Hai was given a starting role at left-back while Zhang Wei shifted to right-back. Upfront, Alvin was paired up with Boon Wee, with the former given the task of holding up the ball and providing the physical presence needed at the frontline while the latter's task was to attack the opponent's goal using his speed and agility. Instructions were given to pass long balls down the flanks towards the corner flags for the strikers and wingers to give chase. Players were also told to shoot on sight if any clear opportunity was present instead of passing the ball around too much.

Match Highlights

The playing field had a slight gradient and many shallow pot-holes were present due to the upgrading works that were going on in the nearby HDB blocks. However, it was Mclucky FC who drew first blood during the match, with Weide, epitome of the "shoot-on-sight" policy, driving a long range shot into the net in the 21st minute of play. 1-0 to Mclucky.

With confidence in the Mclucky camp growing, it was Alvin who widened the margin 10 minutes later when he slotted the ball into goal while lying on the ground during a goal-mouth scramble after receiving a long ball in the opponent's penalty box. 2-0 and leading comfortably.

An immediate response came from Jackson's Team (JT) in the 35th minute when their midfielder powers a long range shot at goal from the left. Kelvin gets a hand on it but it is not enough to prevent the ball from going into the net. 2-1 at the end of the 1st half.

The 2nd half presented Mclucky with more goalscoring opportunities as we played with more confidence and stamped our authority on the game. Miscommunication between JT's keeper and his defender in the 57th minute allows Elson to slot home from close range after Jue Hai curls a dangerous ball into the box from the left. 3-1 and Mclucky are cruising

Further lapse in JT's defence results in Boon Wee scoring from close range in the 68th minute after yet another defensive mix-up in the penalty box. Mclucky take a commanding 4-1 lead.

The game looked set to be over after 70 minutes of play as Elson scores his second at the far post, heading in Chun Wei's cross from the left flank. However, the Mclucky lads seemed hungry for more action after Boon Wee completed his brace by rounding the keeper and slotting the ball into an empty net, settling the match once and for all. Final score: 6-1 and Mclucky complete a rout of JT.

Post Match

Though I must admit that JT wasn't a very good test of Mclucky's playing abilities, winning by such a large margin sure did a lot of good for the team's morale and confidence after going through a winless patch for almost 2 months.

Player evaluation:

Kelvin --- Gave a assuring performance in front of goal. The ideal solution to our goalkeeping woes. Hope to see more of you in the future!

Zhang Wei --- Has improved a lot over the past few matches. Should have no problems holding down a place in the first team if he keeps up the good work.

Eeyang --- Imposing defender that opposing strikers have to get pass. Used his physical strength to a good deal in this match, keeping JT's strikers at bay.

Weide --- Calm and composed while forming a good partnership with Eeyang. Always gives a steady performance.

Jue Hai --- Shows signs of good crossing ability. An overlapping defender who provides an extra attacking edge down the left flank.

Sin Cheng --- Deserves the man-of-the-match award with his off-the-ball running, tackling and THAT glorious through-ball to Elson, though he didn't finish it off. Played like a man on a mission and ran more than he ran in the previous matches combined together. Keep it up dude!

Siu Chun --- Put in some strong tackles during the first half, but faded out in the second.

Rayner --- Performed his DMC duties to the best. Is good at breaking up opponents's attacking build-up, yet is penetrative when he goes on one of his runs down the centre of the field.

Edwin --- Committed and hardworking, but needs to improve on his touches and crossing abilities.

Alvin --- The target man to receive fellow players' long ball. Is good at holding up balls using his physical presence and is also a good header of the ball.

Boon Wee --- Fast and agile, but is often muscled off the ball by bigger-sized opponents. Needs to be a little more physical in order to retain possesion of the ball.

Nicky and Da Hao --- Still not familiar with how the team plays, but could improve with more playing time. Nicky to work on his awareness of where his teammates are, while Da Hao to work on his defensive abilities.

Chun Wei --- Same old tireless and effortless running down the flanks. Fantastic pace and stamina allows him to dribble pass oppenents without much trickery.

Elson --- Showed his striking prowess by scoring a brace. Is not afraid to pull the trigger on sight and is a confident player. Perhaps he could work on his ability to hold the ball so as to prevent over reliance on Alvin as the target striker.

Yang Teng --- Did not see much of him. Should get himself involved in more of the action, so no comments on him for now.

Mclucky Man of the Match: Sin Cheng

Match Day Quote: " Just Shoot !!! " --- Wei De, team captain

World Cup...And other round things this month...

You can almost smell it. The fresh green turf at the various stadiums in Germany, waiting for the players to put their best foot forward (literal and non-literal). World Cup fever is officially engulfing the entire global map. From Ang Mo Kio to Zurich, I guarantee you will find football fanatics, young and old, male or female, topless or clothes on, cheering on their favourite team in front of the television set.

The magical quartet of Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Kaka and Robinho looks set to terrorise opposing defences. How did they manage to leave Adriano out of the picture? The benchwarmers in the Brazilian team could almost walk into the first team of any other participating country, so be warned... The Selecao are coming to town!

Other than the defending champions, I reckon Argentina, Spain, Germany, Holland, Italy, Portugal and England will be the teams to look out for, especially Portugal and Holland. Why the unique choice of the team to watch? Well for starters, Portugal are drawn in Group D together with Mexico, Iran and Angola, who are participating in their first ever World Cup. Other than Mexico, I really don't see the other teams posing much challenge to the Team of Shields, but like they say, the ball is always round and I eagerly await to see what surprises World Cup 2006 is going to spring on us. Cristiano Ronaldo and Deco are the players to watch in this Portugal squad. Don't forget about Pauleta too, though at age 32, he may seem like a has-been in terms of footballing age, his experience and technique will be crucial in Portugal's progress beyond the Group stages, as seen in his recent hat-trick in a friendly against the Cape Verde Islands. (Ok... I noe Cape Verde Islands is no big deal, but a hat trick isn't easy to come by in international friendlies!)

Holland too promises to become a threat to teams beyond the group stages, provided they get pass Group C, or more commonly known as the Group of Death. Van Basten has reshuffled almost the entire Oranje, bringing young players such as Wesley Sneijder and Dirk Kuyt while leaving out household names such as Clarence Seedorf and Edgar Davids. Old ranks such as Ruud van Nistelrooy and Phillip Cocu however, still retain their places to give the Dutch team a more complete look, with the combination of youth and experience. The reserve players also managed a come-from-behind win over Mexico in a World Cup warm-up match, so if this new-look Oranje does not self-destruct like the previous Holland squads, we may see more of them to come.

(On a side note: Yes lar... My fingers were itching to write something on the World Cup and I have stopped the itching hahaha... Which team are YOU supporting? Feel free to write it down and post it on the tagboard... Meanwhile... its off to watch the NBA Finals!!!)