ESPZEN Sunday League Season 20 Division 6
Kamikaze FC vs Chap Pah Lang FC
26/01/2013
3pm Kickoff
Yusof Ishak Secondary
Kamikaze's clamour for some excitement was duly fulfilled when as many as 5 first-team regulars made themselves unavailable for the game leaving the team with only 12-man to play against Chap Pah Lang.
The game started as a cagey affair as Chap Pah Lang came with a well-organised plan to contain the team and press very high. For the first 15 minutes, Kamikaze were to be content with half chances and a long pop or two. But that changed when KKZ was awarded a freekick 30 yards out for a foul on Pratheep. Hevy stepped up confidently to take the freekick, but was denied by the woodwork. Luckily for the team, returning playmaker Yeli was on hand to nod the ball in. If the first goal came in fortuitous circumstances, there was little luck about the second goal, as a good passing movement from the team saw Hevy chase down the ball down the left flank to lay it on to Vijay, who somehow managed to overcome two tackles and poke the ball into the far-post for his 1st goal in over a year.
At 2-0, the message at half-time was to go for the kill. However, Kamikaze entered self-destruct mode instead as they made a mess of the chances they created and constantly gave away the ball cheaply. The team showed a starkling dip in form and their inability to string together passes was clearly evident. Chap Pah Lang's perseverance soon bore fruit as they scored two goals to bring the match level and looked set to condemn the Champions to a humiliating draw.
But as always, when common sense and tactical discipline failed them, their spirit soared to save the day. With just 2 minutes remaining on the clock, it was a sight to behold to see KKZ launch attack after attack and had 9 men camped in the opponent's penalty box for a free-kick. The move paid dividends as a scramble saw Pratheep free on the edge of the 6-yard box as he rammed home the winner.
Captain of the day Hara, was not pleased with the result though,
"I thought we were tactically naive. We need to have managed the changes better and settled for a 2-0 win. Instead we kept going for goals, when it was clearly not our day and we almost got punished. We should be more tactically smarter in games to come."
Nevertheless, it was heartening to see a Kamikaze comeback after so long, and it was heartening to see that comfortable victories had not taken the team's desire, hunger and spirit away. They now enter a 2-week festive break, following which they prepare for the last game of the season and to watch the curtain fall on Victor's competitive amateur career.
KAMIKAZE!!!
Squad: Pratip (GK), Dinesh Neshsta, Premnathan, Haravin (c), Dinesh Manjan, Karthik Doctor, Aravin Yeli, Hevy, PratheepMuse, Victor, Vijay, Vishnu
Goals: Aravin Yeli, Vijay, PratheepMuse
Assists: Hevy (2), Aravin Yeli
Final Score: Kamikaze 3 - 2 Chap Pah Lang FC
Monday, January 27, 2014
Monday, January 20, 2014
Victor Announces Retirement After Kamikaze win 5-1
ESPZEN Sunday League Season 20 Division 6
Kamikaze FC vs Royals FC
19/01/2013
1pm Kickoff
Yusof Ishak Secondary
The announcement that came at the end of the match overshadowed most of the proceedings of the match as veteran forward Victor finally announced his retirement from the Senior Squad. While many of his teammates playfully brushed aside his shock announcement, realisation soon sunk in that next season, the team is all set to have a new forward leading the attack. In his announcement, Victor mentioned that he knew that physically his playing time was up.
The first 10 minutes however, almost told a different story. The team controlled possession and routinely took the Royals' defence apart, at will. A brilliant cutback from PratheepMuse found Victor whose first-time shot was just enough to brush past the keeper's hand into the net. Minutes later, Safar bamboozled the defence and found Victor with another cutback and the striker doubled his tally tapping into an empty net. When Safar made a mockery of the entire Royals' backline it looked like a double-digit scoreline was on the cards. But that is when the fairytale ended and reality sunk in.
For all of their attacking potency, Kamikaze are still in need of a clinical striker who takes his chances. The team's poor shots to goals ratio is only masked by the fact that their defence has held steady and they have had truckloads of chances every game. This problem was highlighted in an embarrassing manner as the forwards combined to miss atleast 8 open chances amongst themselves, with only Anand Spaceship and Haravin managing to find the net in the second half sandwiching a Royals' consolation goal.
Team Manager Seelan, admitted as much,
"Our strikers were indeed poor today. But their quality is known to all. Vijay is back after a long layoff and once he gets 2 or 3 games under his belt he will be a totally different monster to handle. We have Hevy coming back in 3 weeks and the team is indeed waiting on the loan return of Rishi and Sasi. Those players have been held up for various reasons, but we are sorting out their transfers and if we do manage to get them, we will be a totally different attacking lineup."
But the moment belonged to Victor who almost managed to roll back the years.
"For the past 10 years, only one name has resonated throughout my weekends and even during the most of my weekdays. Kamikaze. Nothing is going to change that. But we have to be realistic, in accepting that our time is up. Kamikaze is a professionally run amateur team, and every player playing in the team should be contributing his very best. I have given my best to the team thus far, and now it is time for someone else to pick up the mantle on the pitch. I have no regrets. All I'm looking forward to will be to enjoy my final two games before I take up other responsibilities within the set-up. I know my team-mates who have helped me tremendously will give me a fitting farewell. I will look to definitely score a few more for the road."
KAMIKAZE!!!
Squad: Pratip (GK), Dinesh Neshsta, Premnathan, Haravin (c), Karthik Doctor, Gerard, Shivaanan, PratheepMuse, Safar, Victor, Vijay, Kishen, Anand Spaceship, Vishnu
Goals: Victor (2), Safar, Anand Spaceship, Haravin
Assists: PratheepMuse, Safar, Haravin, Victor (2)
Final Score: Kamikaze 6 - 1 Royals
Kamikaze FC vs Royals FC
19/01/2013
1pm Kickoff
Yusof Ishak Secondary
The announcement that came at the end of the match overshadowed most of the proceedings of the match as veteran forward Victor finally announced his retirement from the Senior Squad. While many of his teammates playfully brushed aside his shock announcement, realisation soon sunk in that next season, the team is all set to have a new forward leading the attack. In his announcement, Victor mentioned that he knew that physically his playing time was up.
The first 10 minutes however, almost told a different story. The team controlled possession and routinely took the Royals' defence apart, at will. A brilliant cutback from PratheepMuse found Victor whose first-time shot was just enough to brush past the keeper's hand into the net. Minutes later, Safar bamboozled the defence and found Victor with another cutback and the striker doubled his tally tapping into an empty net. When Safar made a mockery of the entire Royals' backline it looked like a double-digit scoreline was on the cards. But that is when the fairytale ended and reality sunk in.
For all of their attacking potency, Kamikaze are still in need of a clinical striker who takes his chances. The team's poor shots to goals ratio is only masked by the fact that their defence has held steady and they have had truckloads of chances every game. This problem was highlighted in an embarrassing manner as the forwards combined to miss atleast 8 open chances amongst themselves, with only Anand Spaceship and Haravin managing to find the net in the second half sandwiching a Royals' consolation goal.
Team Manager Seelan, admitted as much,
"Our strikers were indeed poor today. But their quality is known to all. Vijay is back after a long layoff and once he gets 2 or 3 games under his belt he will be a totally different monster to handle. We have Hevy coming back in 3 weeks and the team is indeed waiting on the loan return of Rishi and Sasi. Those players have been held up for various reasons, but we are sorting out their transfers and if we do manage to get them, we will be a totally different attacking lineup."
But the moment belonged to Victor who almost managed to roll back the years.
"For the past 10 years, only one name has resonated throughout my weekends and even during the most of my weekdays. Kamikaze. Nothing is going to change that. But we have to be realistic, in accepting that our time is up. Kamikaze is a professionally run amateur team, and every player playing in the team should be contributing his very best. I have given my best to the team thus far, and now it is time for someone else to pick up the mantle on the pitch. I have no regrets. All I'm looking forward to will be to enjoy my final two games before I take up other responsibilities within the set-up. I know my team-mates who have helped me tremendously will give me a fitting farewell. I will look to definitely score a few more for the road."
KAMIKAZE!!!
Squad: Pratip (GK), Dinesh Neshsta, Premnathan, Haravin (c), Karthik Doctor, Gerard, Shivaanan, PratheepMuse, Safar, Victor, Vijay, Kishen, Anand Spaceship, Vishnu
Goals: Victor (2), Safar, Anand Spaceship, Haravin
Assists: PratheepMuse, Safar, Haravin, Victor (2)
Final Score: Kamikaze 6 - 1 Royals
Monday, January 13, 2014
Kamikaze Win their Maiden ESPZEN Title
ESPZEN Sunday League Season 20 Division 6
Kamikaze FC vs United Elite FC
12/01/2013
11am Kickoff
Bedok North Secondary
In what took a long-time coming, Kamikaze finally got their hands on the much coveted ESPZEN title. This has been a dream long-coming for all the players and staff at Kamikaze, who had highlighted it as one of their top goals in their 3-year plan for the club, instituted at the last club meeting held in 2012. The fact that it was now their 4th League victory and 3rd on the trot, in 3 different leagues, made it just that much sweeter.
Kamikaze had literally strolled to this title, winning 12 of their 13 matches, wrapping up the title with 3 league games to spare. The fact that only 4 points separate the next 5 best teams, highlight the dominance of Kamikaze who have steamrolled their opponents enroute to victory.
The fact, that yesterday's game had very little to note only understates the potential of this Kamikaze team. They are by no means the finished article and this team has the capability to go on and break a further few records.
The game itself was rather cagey as United Elite were determined to spoil the party. Kamikaze had not played a competitive game since mid-december, and their lack of match practice clearly showed as they were unable to break down their opponents' defence. The introduction of Aravin Yeli changed the pace of the game, but it looked like it was going to head down to half-time break as a stalemate. Yeli, had other ideas though. As a foul on Hara, won the team a free-kick 30 yards out just before the half-time break, the team packed the United Elite penalty area, hoping to get onto a good delivery from Yeli. As it turned out, no intervention was needed, as Yeli curled the ball in right into the top corner giving the goalkeeper no chance, and set the KKZ team into a lead that they will not relinquish.
The second half saw KKZ attack with renewed vigour as Siva, fought hard and won a ball inside the penalty box, before laying up for Shivaanan, who walked the ball into the net. Siva, was then again involved as his presence in the box, helped the team win a penalty after a United Elite player handled the ball under pressure. Victor stepped up to take the penalty and made no mistake from the spot.
While, the scoreline itself might have been a little dull for the team, there was no mistaking the impact of the moment. The team, had just sealed the deal, on a highly coveted medal, and once again came out of a league campaign, demonstrating their superior squad strength.
Stand-in Manager Victor summed up the victory.
"I'll be honest as I have always been. This season is not a true reflection of our capability. 77 goals scored and only 13 conceded without a first-choice keeper, and some might wonder whether I have lost my mind. But the truth is, we can only be better. This was not like the CFL victory where we felt like we gave 110% and overachieved. We won this league with about 80% of our efforts, but Kudos to the new additions to the squad as all of them had a stellar first-season. We will definitely take a moment to enjoy the victory, but the management will not let the team be caught up with complacency. There will be some changes to the squad, both in terms of personnel and systems, as I believe a good team is one that keeps reinventing itself both in terms of organisation as well as players. But for the next 3 weeks, there will only be celebration. And we will celebrate in the only way, we know how. On the pitch!"
KAMIKAZE!!!
Squad: Amzad, Dinesh Neshsta, Dinzo, Hara (c), Anand Spaceship, Gerard, Shivaanan, Mohaan, Siva Ganesh, Victor, Safar, Kishen, Premnathan, Aravin Yeli
Goals: Aravin Yeli, Shivaanan, Victor
Assists: Hara, Siva (2)
Final Score: Kamikaze 3 - 0 United Elite FC
Kamikaze FC vs United Elite FC
12/01/2013
11am Kickoff
Bedok North Secondary
In what took a long-time coming, Kamikaze finally got their hands on the much coveted ESPZEN title. This has been a dream long-coming for all the players and staff at Kamikaze, who had highlighted it as one of their top goals in their 3-year plan for the club, instituted at the last club meeting held in 2012. The fact that it was now their 4th League victory and 3rd on the trot, in 3 different leagues, made it just that much sweeter.
Kamikaze had literally strolled to this title, winning 12 of their 13 matches, wrapping up the title with 3 league games to spare. The fact that only 4 points separate the next 5 best teams, highlight the dominance of Kamikaze who have steamrolled their opponents enroute to victory.
The fact, that yesterday's game had very little to note only understates the potential of this Kamikaze team. They are by no means the finished article and this team has the capability to go on and break a further few records.
The game itself was rather cagey as United Elite were determined to spoil the party. Kamikaze had not played a competitive game since mid-december, and their lack of match practice clearly showed as they were unable to break down their opponents' defence. The introduction of Aravin Yeli changed the pace of the game, but it looked like it was going to head down to half-time break as a stalemate. Yeli, had other ideas though. As a foul on Hara, won the team a free-kick 30 yards out just before the half-time break, the team packed the United Elite penalty area, hoping to get onto a good delivery from Yeli. As it turned out, no intervention was needed, as Yeli curled the ball in right into the top corner giving the goalkeeper no chance, and set the KKZ team into a lead that they will not relinquish.
The second half saw KKZ attack with renewed vigour as Siva, fought hard and won a ball inside the penalty box, before laying up for Shivaanan, who walked the ball into the net. Siva, was then again involved as his presence in the box, helped the team win a penalty after a United Elite player handled the ball under pressure. Victor stepped up to take the penalty and made no mistake from the spot.
While, the scoreline itself might have been a little dull for the team, there was no mistaking the impact of the moment. The team, had just sealed the deal, on a highly coveted medal, and once again came out of a league campaign, demonstrating their superior squad strength.
Stand-in Manager Victor summed up the victory.
"I'll be honest as I have always been. This season is not a true reflection of our capability. 77 goals scored and only 13 conceded without a first-choice keeper, and some might wonder whether I have lost my mind. But the truth is, we can only be better. This was not like the CFL victory where we felt like we gave 110% and overachieved. We won this league with about 80% of our efforts, but Kudos to the new additions to the squad as all of them had a stellar first-season. We will definitely take a moment to enjoy the victory, but the management will not let the team be caught up with complacency. There will be some changes to the squad, both in terms of personnel and systems, as I believe a good team is one that keeps reinventing itself both in terms of organisation as well as players. But for the next 3 weeks, there will only be celebration. And we will celebrate in the only way, we know how. On the pitch!"
KAMIKAZE!!!
Squad: Amzad, Dinesh Neshsta, Dinzo, Hara (c), Anand Spaceship, Gerard, Shivaanan, Mohaan, Siva Ganesh, Victor, Safar, Kishen, Premnathan, Aravin Yeli
Goals: Aravin Yeli, Shivaanan, Victor
Assists: Hara, Siva (2)
Final Score: Kamikaze 3 - 0 United Elite FC
Monday, January 06, 2014
Kamikaze begin the New Year with Just 1 More Win needed for the Title
ESPZEN Sunday League Season 20 Division 6
Royals FC vs Kamikaze FC
15/12/2013
3pm Kickoff
Bedok North Secondary
It was that time of the year where the Editor goes off on an end-of-year holiday mode and refuses to do any tedious work while enjoying his long break doing nothing. As such, I apologise for the omission of the match report of the previous ESPZEN league game against Royals. It has been quite a while since that match, and there is no way I can fully recall the details of the match. And that brings us to,
EXPRESS EDITING!
Bedok North is always a bogey ground for KKZ and that streak continued as they went into the half-time level 1-1, despite Victor giving them an early lead as he notched his 7th goal of the campaign with a tap-in after yet another dazzling Safar run.
A rejuvenated KKZ came out of the break looking to fire and they did just that, as Victor turned provider with a well-weighted throughball finding Siva who scored an absolutely delightful chip past the keeper, for the first of his 2 goals. In all honesty, Victor who had a terrible game, somewhat saved his blushes with these 2 notable contributions. But from that moment onwards, it was Anand Spaceship who took over the game by the scruff of the neck as he scored 1 and created 2 to help KKZ end the game 6-1 winners. Gerard and Safar also managed to get onto the scoresheet, with Gerard scoring a beauty of a freekick. This game was also notable as Akbar and Yasin, both made an unexpected return to the squad, and they gave a performance to remember.
Kamikaze now only need 3 more points to capture their maiden ESPZEN title and it will indeed be a special moment for the team. But the team is not getting carried away, as an exclusive interview with Vice-Captain Haravin revealed,
"The next game is as important as the previous 12 games have been. We have a job to do, and we will get the task done. All the talk about the 100 goal target is fun. In fact, it is a good target to have, but we still have a few games to get it done. As for now, the priority has to be sealing the title and that's what we will look forward to. This season, has been alright for the team. It is a job well-done, but the real good news is that we can be even better and that will be what we should be looking at"
With that brilliant words from the Vice-Captain, I will leave you to think about what a 3rd successive title for the team would mean for us in terms of our long-term strategic plans that had been laid in place. This team has come a long way, since the one that came in 4th at the 3rd season of CFL. The task at hand, in terms of the planning, would be to quickly collate our strengths and harness a even more well-aligned squad for the next season.
KAMIKAZE!!!
Squad: Akbar, Pratip, Dinesh Neshsta (c), Yasin, Hara, Anand Spaceship, Gerard, Kishen, Safar, Siva Ganesh, Victor, Dinzo, Shivaanan
Goals: Victor, Siva (2), Anand Spaceship, Gerard, Safar
Assists: Safar (2), Victor, Kishen, Spaceship (2)
Final Score: Royals 1 - 6 Kamikaze
Royals FC vs Kamikaze FC
15/12/2013
3pm Kickoff
Bedok North Secondary
It was that time of the year where the Editor goes off on an end-of-year holiday mode and refuses to do any tedious work while enjoying his long break doing nothing. As such, I apologise for the omission of the match report of the previous ESPZEN league game against Royals. It has been quite a while since that match, and there is no way I can fully recall the details of the match. And that brings us to,
EXPRESS EDITING!
Bedok North is always a bogey ground for KKZ and that streak continued as they went into the half-time level 1-1, despite Victor giving them an early lead as he notched his 7th goal of the campaign with a tap-in after yet another dazzling Safar run.
A rejuvenated KKZ came out of the break looking to fire and they did just that, as Victor turned provider with a well-weighted throughball finding Siva who scored an absolutely delightful chip past the keeper, for the first of his 2 goals. In all honesty, Victor who had a terrible game, somewhat saved his blushes with these 2 notable contributions. But from that moment onwards, it was Anand Spaceship who took over the game by the scruff of the neck as he scored 1 and created 2 to help KKZ end the game 6-1 winners. Gerard and Safar also managed to get onto the scoresheet, with Gerard scoring a beauty of a freekick. This game was also notable as Akbar and Yasin, both made an unexpected return to the squad, and they gave a performance to remember.
Kamikaze now only need 3 more points to capture their maiden ESPZEN title and it will indeed be a special moment for the team. But the team is not getting carried away, as an exclusive interview with Vice-Captain Haravin revealed,
"The next game is as important as the previous 12 games have been. We have a job to do, and we will get the task done. All the talk about the 100 goal target is fun. In fact, it is a good target to have, but we still have a few games to get it done. As for now, the priority has to be sealing the title and that's what we will look forward to. This season, has been alright for the team. It is a job well-done, but the real good news is that we can be even better and that will be what we should be looking at"
With that brilliant words from the Vice-Captain, I will leave you to think about what a 3rd successive title for the team would mean for us in terms of our long-term strategic plans that had been laid in place. This team has come a long way, since the one that came in 4th at the 3rd season of CFL. The task at hand, in terms of the planning, would be to quickly collate our strengths and harness a even more well-aligned squad for the next season.
KAMIKAZE!!!
Squad: Akbar, Pratip, Dinesh Neshsta (c), Yasin, Hara, Anand Spaceship, Gerard, Kishen, Safar, Siva Ganesh, Victor, Dinzo, Shivaanan
Goals: Victor, Siva (2), Anand Spaceship, Gerard, Safar
Assists: Safar (2), Victor, Kishen, Spaceship (2)
Final Score: Royals 1 - 6 Kamikaze
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