SDARA Futsal Interbatch Challenge 2006

The annual SDARA interbatch futsal competition was held last Saturday 23 December 2006 at Rio De Futsal USJ. As usual batch 91 managed to submit 2 teams for the competition although we barely made up the numbers due last minute pull-out. This year our batch carry a huge reputation as the defending champion of the veteran category (above 30). Although I hate to say this due to personal alliance, we are like Chelsea where everyone will play their heart out to beat us ha ha.

After a minimal discussion (they were none actually) Eimir has arranged the 2 teams into the following:

Team A: Eimir, Panas, Capang, Bratt, Bai & Limbo
Team B: Tomo, Burung, Syfik, Ajoy, Jranque, Kiak & Ghiya.

Team A was grouped in Group A together with other teams from batch 83, 85, 89B & 93B while Team B was drawn into the group of death consisting teams from batch 84, 88, 89A, 92 & 93A.

Team 91A kicked-start the campaign convincingly by defeating team 85 thanks to a hattrick by the newly discovered marksman, Bratt. On the other court, Team 91B played a cautious first game to earn a 1-1 draw with team 88 thanks to a goal from Syfik.

In the second game, team 91A was handed a tougher test where they were drawn against the most junior team in the veteran category, team 93B (form 3 masa kita form 5). After trailing by a goal in the first half, team 91A showed its maturity (otai experience) and regained their composure in the second half by netting 3 quick goals thanks to the opportunist Eimir. However team 91B was brought down to earth in their second game when our junior (team 92) beat us by 3 clear goals.

Team A third game was against team 89B. The match ended with a stalemate (1-1)thanks to a deft touch in front of the goal by Limbo. Sensing the need to win to stay in the competition, Team 91B played their best match of the tournament by beating team 84 with a resounding scoreline of 3 to 1. Our 3 goals were scored by Kiak, Ghiya & Jranque.

In the final group A match, team 91A took advantage of the older team 83 to win 2-0 (Bratt, Eimir) and cemented the top spot in Group A. Team 91B faced another do or die match when they met team 89A. Before the match, team B was hurt by the news that their captain, Tomo was injured and had to be withdrawn from the starting line-up. Although we tried our best, team 89A was the better team and we were defeated by a 4-0 scoreline.

Team B final group match was against team 93A. The match was played at almost a walking pace as both teams were already out of the competition and we handed our juniors a 2-1 victory. The solitary goal was scored by Ghiya.

In the semi-final team 91A was up against the runner-up from Group B, team 92. It was a difficult match as one of our team members had to rush back to pick-up the wife (kes sayang/takut? bini la ni) leaving us to continue the battle with 5 players and no reserve. We went a goal down when our keeper, Panas failed to see a bullet like free kick from the opponent. However, like a wounded tiger we managed to regroup and score 4 goals (Bratt-2, Eimir, Capang) to book our place in the final.

Our opponent in the final was team 89A. Once again we lost the psychological battle before the ball was kicked when our top striker Bratt had to leave for a shooting in Melaka (ni yg susah ambik produser jadi striker) With disqualification looming, our Dr. Tomo Fadzilah Kamsah managed to sweet talk the organizer to allow us to take 2 replacement players form team B (Burung & Ghiya).

To be frank, our heads were down during the final due to off-the-field antics of our players. As a result we were down by 3 goals in the first half. We tried to fight back in the 2nd half and managed to score 2 quick goals (Burung, Ghiya). Unfortunately not all of our players were Liverpool supporters (tu la lain kali support la Liverpool) thus the spirit of Istanbul 2005 failed to be reignited. In search of the precious equalizer, we left a defensive gap, allowing the opponent to score the decisive goal. At the final whistle, the defending champion was narrowly beaten 4-2.

Thanks to all players who participated in the event. It would be nicer if we have more commitment next year. Special thanks should go to Tomo for the sandwiches but more importantly for the live motivational talk during all the matches. Latest news I heard, he was diagnosed with a Micheal Owen's injury and should be out for a year, just in time before next year's tournament ha ha. We shall be back to regain our crown next year. After all its just another game of futsal.

Once a Sdarian Always a Sdarian,
Rafa Benitez