First Official Press Conference of Kamikaze

In revealing probably what was the worst-kept open secret in Amateur Football, Kamikaze management officially confirmed its participation in the 3rd Season of Goal Arena Sun PM League Eastern Division. In a closed-door press conference held on 28 September, Team Acting Manager Jayaseelan made this annoucement as well as announcing the details of the new team jerseys.

Transcript of the Press Conference

Seelan: Dear all, Thank you for being here. We are pleased to officially announce that Kamikaze will be taking part in a new league this coming season. We will be entering the Goal Arena Sun PM Season 3 under the Eastern Division. The team is geared up for it, after having gone through 2 assessment matches as well as 6 other friendlies as part of our pre-season warm-up. We are excited and looking forward to doing well in this league.

Reporter: It was earlier announced and reported that KKZ will once again take part in the CFL. So why the sudden U-turn?

S: It is wrong to say that it is a U-turn. After last season, we had always wanted to go to a new league, and we had informed CFL about it. However, there were no proper leagues available and hence we decided to return back to CFL, and CFL was supportive. However, that was when the opening in GA was available and when we informed CFL about the decision, they wished us all the best and supported us fully with our bid.

R: The ties, between CFL and KKZ have always been rumoured to have been testy. Is that true?

S: That's absolute RUBBISH! Ties between CFL and KKZ have always been fantastic. We share a unique bond, and that can never be changed. In fact, our ties have been further cemented by the new Jersey deal. In a co-sponsorship deal to provide our players with 2 jerseys, Team Kamikaze signed up with Vivace Events and CFL to sponsor our Jerseys and this demonstrates the close ties we share with our partners.

R: So what are the objectives for Team Kamikaze in this current campaign?

S: It is obvious, that the winning mentality is deep-rooted into the DNA of Kamikaze. We always play to win, and this new season is no exception. We would be expecting nothing less than a top 2 finish.

R: Can you elaborate on the new Jersey?

S: We have finally acquired both Home and Away jerseys for the team. We would like to thank CFL Sports and Vivace Events for sponsoring both jerseys. The Home jersey will be unveiled on 2nd Oct and it is black-based. The Away Jersey is orange-based and will be unveiled on 9th Oct.

R: Any last words, Seelan?

S: We would like to thank all those who have made our success thus far, possible. And we would like to ensure all our stakeholders that, as long as your support is present, Team Kamikaze will only to continue to grow and strive towards further success. Thank you and Viva La Kamikaze!

R: Thank you Seelan and all the best to Kamikaze.

Thank you for catching details of this exclusive press conference. You may wish to follow Kamikaze's journey in the GA League at this link http://goalarena.footballopod.com/GA_Home.aspx?id=110&leagueid=56&divid=178

As part of this exclusive coverage brought to you by CH 666 SportzforLife, we are also pleased to offer you a peek of the new Home Jersey of Team Kamikaze!!! Thank you once again, and catch this space to follow more exclusive updates of Team Kamikaze!!

Majulah Kamikaze!!!

This was not a match to pick themselves after the demoralising defeat to Dboyz on the 10th of Sep. The work on correcting that defeat was done the following week itself, with the team cancelling their friendly to conduct a training session, which was fun, as much as it was fruitful. The team got to work on certain basic drills, positioning and zonal movement, as well as to work on their general fitness.

This match however, was all about forward looking. All this match focused on, was to set the morale right, for the upcoming league. The team paid that much importance on getting a good runout, that they refused to play their 9-men opponents on an uneven scale, and hence loaned two players throughout the match to correct the deficit. Such was the confidence, and determination to get a good runout.

The team tried various tactics and formations, to get a good feel of how to adapt to different systems, and focused priority on retaining possession. The fact, that several first teamers were missing, was conveniently overlooked, by the return of former goldenboys Havey and Vijay, both prolific goalscorers in their own right. The fact that Havey created numerous opportunities for himself and the team, despite failing to score, and Vijay getting himself on the scoresheet, looked ominous for the team.

No doubt, the scoreline was an unflattering 1-0. However this was a game where KKZ created umpteen chances on goal, enjoyed the lion's share of possession, and came out calm, composed and unscathed despite experimenting with various systems.

This was a KAMIKAZE that is nicely gelling together to create a huge impact on Goal Arena. Yes, they are starting their campaign two weeks late, but they will aim to start their league with a bang.

KAMIKAZE!!!

Squad List: Akbar, Gerard, Vijay, Havey, Prem, Pratheep, Nesh, Yassin, Manjan, Janarthan, Seelan, Victor, Maaran, Haresh, Gautham, Vishnu, Suresh Boyee, Nick

Final Score: KKZ 1 - Fairways 0

Goals: Vijay
Assists: Gerard
M.O.M: Gerard

Will this Defeat Stall them or Spur them on?

Kamikaze finally faced defeat for the first time this season. Their first in 7 games. But truth be told, it looked coming for the past 2 weeks with an understrength squad and complacency creeping into the team. But when it finally came, it was fitting that D-boys, their former rivals turned close compatriots were the ones to inflict it. Yeli and Viki have for much of the last 7 months been key integral components of this new look KKZ team, but on this day they were playing in the opposite colours and they did most of the damage. To be honest though, despite having a near full squad, the lack of depth in the centre-midfield position, and a devil-may-care attitude amongst the KKZ camp has sent shivers down the management.

Despite boasting Safar and Fazail in their ranks, KKZ was unable to create any real meaningful threats on goal in the first half, but the start of the second looked real promising, as a long punt from Jayraj from defence found Vishnu, who needed no second invitation to continue his scoring streak, and he found the back of the net with a brilliant strike from the edge of the box.

However, things went downhill for KKZ from then, as a needless freekick saw Viki curl the ball into the net, albeit in the opposite colors. Dboyz, soon took the lead from another setpiece, this time converting a corner with a brilliant header, and Yeli put the final touches on the job after a defensive slip up.

All in all, it was a very demoralising defeat for the Kamikaze camp, and it has sent the management scrambling to rethink plans for the new season, but as has always been said. This is KAMIKAZE, and we will definitely get things right!!!

Fazail was voted man of the match for an industrious performance, in a game that no player really shone. Special credits have to be given to Nesh, Prem and Safar for giving their all and also to Haresh who showed glimpses of finding back his form after a slump. The team also challenges Vishnu to continue his scoring streak.

KAMIKAZE!!!

Squad List:Vky Razgy, Jayraj, Premanathan, Neshsta, Hari Young Boys, Fazail, Manjan, Seelan, Safar, Sateesh, Vishnu, Haresh, Victor, Maaran

Final Score: KKZ 1 - D Boyz 3

Goals: Vishnu
Assists: Jayraj
M.O.M: El Fazail

A Tale of 2 Halves, but the Result is still the same

After the hard fought draw the previous weekend, Kamikaze travelled to the east with yet another depleted squad to take on Orange Warriors at Pasir Ris Sec in what was to be yet another exciting encounter. However, the reason for the excitement was due to be KKZ's own making though. For a match played in a turf field, under such hot weather, and against physical opponents, bringing along just 12 squad members seemed a recipe for disaster. With Fazail, and Safar both out due to commitments, the sole creative threat seemed to fall to the injured Yeli, and this looked to be a low-scoring game.

But KKZ put paid to those thoughts within 2 mins of the kickoff, as Victor dispossessed the opposing centre-mid just inside their half, and raced towards goal, before toe-poking into the right hand corner to give KKZ a surprise lead. Vishnu soon doubled the lead, and took his season tally to 7, once again latching on to a loose ball after a defensive error, and lashed an unstoppable shot that the diving keeper could do nothing about. When Yeli dazzled and jinked down the right flank before putting in a cross, that Gerard scissors-kicked into goal, to put KKZ up 3-0 at half-time, the match looked a foregone conclusion.

However, defensive errors of their own, and fatigue meant that KKZ led in 3 sloppy goals, and were staring at conceding a 4th. However, a neat through ball from Vishnu, saw Victor give chase and benefit when the keeper fumbled, as he put through a cross that Avi converted with style, to give them yet another hard-fought result.

This was not a game easy on the eye, especially the second-half performance of KKZ. However, it must be noted that this was a severely depleted and understrength squad, both in terms of number and quality. Hence, the victory will be savoured nonetheless. But, the nature of the game, has sent the management into the backroom to discuss measures to improve the attendance and balance of the squad heading into what promises to be an exciting season.

Gerard was voted Man of the Match, for a dominating midfield performance, whilst Vishnu has been growing from strength to strength to stake his claim for a First XI spot. Special mention must also be given to retired star Sateesh Ruud Balloon, who took timeoff from his NS stint to put in a top-notch performance to wow his fans!

KAMIKAZE!!!

Squad List: Ganesh Vivace, Neshsta, Suresh Boyyee, Janarthan, Prem, Seelan, Gerard, Aravin Yeli, Avi YoungBoys, Vishnu, Victor, Sateesh Ruud Balloon

Final Score: KKZ 4 - Oranje Warriors 3

Goals: Victor, Vishnu, Gerard, Avi YoungBoys
Assists: Aravin Yeli, Victor
M.O.M: Gerard