Falling To The Occasion

X-S beat Blue Munjens FC 1-0, thanks to BacaNury Sagna's first goal in a long time for the club. It came courtesy of a RonAlidinho corner late in the match, and Sagna was there to power a header in. X-S deserved victory, having numerous missed chances, despite playing well below par.

"A win is a win", says Derek O'Leary who was caught in a half-time brawl with returning club captain, Cesc Fabreyas. The pair were apparently at odds as to what tactics to employ for the second half, especially after seeing the opposing team more keen on passing the ball around in defence. Things cooled down and X-S returned to the pitch to continue their relentless assault on the opposing goal, or something like that.

Eng complained of boredom throughout the match, but he put in a sterling performance alongside Farrell in defence. Fabreyaz commented, "I'm glad we're back to winning. A draw just wouldn't do. Apparently, the team only plays well against good opposition, so we'll see where we go from here."

By the way, his arranged marriage in Thailand wasn't solemnised due to language differences leading to a communication breakdown. He's still single and available ladies. Actually, so is the entire team that played just now, less Just-deep Singh. He's attached to Alyssa Milano, daughter of the owner of Milano's pizza. Just-deep played brilliantly as a full-back just now, despite busy recording his new single entitled "Bhai Bhai Bhai" with his band N*Singh. The song is apparently about brotherhood. We hope to have it as our team song as soon as its released.

Tango Yankee for your attention. Nothing further, out.

Having been banned from speaking to the media till further notice by the team's manager, Ronalidinho refused to comment on the latest defeat of his team. He simply shook his head and was about to walk away. But instead, he told this reporter,

"I cant resist giving my comments. This, despite the Board of Directors threats to ban me for the next three matches should i go against the ban from speaking to the media. I know they wun go to such extent. They need me."

" I know this time we couldnt point the finger at the keeper. Or the weather, which was breezy and shady by the way. Or the lack of substitutes -- we had plenty. Or the pitch, which was preety ok considering yesterday's heavy rain. If u asked me, i think it was the preety girl who made our players less focused than usual.

We knew the odds. Even Boon the bookie didnt accept Bhai the Singh bet of X-S winning!"

When asked about the rumours that a couple of X-S players had placed bets on the team conceding more than 9 goals, the winger gave a shocked face and asked "Who told you?".

When asked about X-S FC's plans for the future,he said "Ive learnt my lesson. Never tell the team's plan to the media. But looking at how players do not know who starts or who subs till the ref blows the whistle, i wun be surprised if we'll ever find out about any plans we might have. All i know is week in week out, i try to improve my game and who knows, one day i'll receive a call from Sir Alex Ferguson. But till then, i'll remain loyal and committed to this team who's like a second family to me."

Defeated. Crushed. Down and out. Someone out there save us.

In the prelude to Super Sunday, Rafarrell Benitez has issued a rallying cry to his players after the disastrous performance 2 weeks ago. It seems the players were not motivated by captain Fabreyaz's rallying squeals, which speaks volumes bout his motivational abilities. "It's time to really stand up and be counted. We've got a strong squad for the game with a couple of new players, who will be looking to prove themselves. The squad's depth is there as well, with 2 or 3 players able to play at each position, giving us some healthy competition. But what has to be said is that, those who don't perform shall be dropped from the first team." Benitez has aimed his comments at his vice-captain, Jamie Farrellgher, who put in a disastrous performance in his last outing alongside Rio FerdinEng.

"I want my strikers to score more goals, the midfielders to continue scoring, and the defenders to start scoring. We can't just rely on Booney, cause one day opponents will realise the trouble he can cause, and start to mark him tightly which would limit our options definitely. Let us kick start Super Sunday with some football to reward our fans for sticking with us. We have the team to hit them hard and they won't know what knocked the daylights out of them."

Rafarrell Benitez has spoken for the first time after the club's 2nd heaviest defeat in it's history. " We played well, and the scoreline gave too much credit to the opponents. In the first half, we were better. We camped in their half and hit the post twice. However, the defence was a total disaster." Rafarrell was seen fuming at his defence which used to be stingy, become a little too generous. "Yes, i am angry. But one of the players, the one with big teeth, made me angrier with his comments to the press ." It was possibly aimed at Ronalidinho, who released match reports to the press, without getting his facts right. Opponents scored first, before Jas "suck" Deep Singh equalised with his wonder goal. And the first half ended 2-1 to the opponents. But the start of the 2nd half saw the kind of football that Benitez has been trying to instil into his players. Straight from the kick-off, the ball was stroked around as the likes of Long, Huda, Yong Xiang ventured into opposition territory. Finally, Thaqif applied the finish with a cooly taken strike from 25 yards out. That's the kind of football champions are made of. But, it was shown only in glimpses.

Ronalidinho angered Benitez again, when he released team tactics and information which was supposed to be confidential. "I can't accept such promiscuous behaviour with the media, and yes he will be punished. The club will send him to the dentist next week." And speaking of tactics, once again, we have crumbled to what we call long ball tactics from the opponent. Considered more effective, but less pleasing to the eye. "We will not employ the use of long balls. No. Never. We did it in the first half. Just that the 2nd half we were hit hard on the counter-attack and long diagonal balls, with everyone pushing up in search for goals. Next thing up, let's look to stamp our authority on the game with our brand of football."

"If God wanted us to play football in the clouds, he'd have put grass up there." -Brian Clough

RED has emerged as the champion of colours - at least on the soccer field.


Manchester United's Argentinian forward Carlos Tevez celebrates after scoring a goal during the Champion's League football match against Lyon on 20 Feb, 2008.
A controversial study by UK scientists suggests that teams that wear red are more successful than those which wear yellow, white or blue shirts, reported The Times.

The research was conducted by scientists at Durham and Plymouth universities.

The findings of the study were published in the Journal of Sports Sciences.

BIOLOGICAL RESPONSES

Researchers claim that deep-seated biological responses to colours affect teams' performances.

The study analysed English league results since the Second World War and looked at how teams did when they were at home, wearing their first-choice shirts.

The study found that, of the top 68 sides, teams wearing red won more often at home, while sides in yellow or orange scored the worst.

In games held away from home and where teams tended to wear a variety of colours, there was no difference in performance.

X-S FC 2- 6 CinaBengs Shide : First by the Indians, Now the Chinese

A six goal super show by Team CinaBengs Shide just weeks after being defeated by Team Vasantham re-ignited the debate whether or not a team plays better if they speak one language. Manager Derek O' Leary put himself back in the spotlight as the Maroons were stunned by the 6 goal blitz by the fast Chinese early in the second half. For the first time in club history, the 6 goals were shared equally by 3 goal keepers.

David "Tauhid" James was tested right at the kick off when Swee, the Chinese striker took a shot from the middle of the field. The ball went just over the bar. This Chinese striker went on to score from a free kick to make it 1-0 early in the game. The Chinese made it 2-0 when their fast striker capitalised on a defensive error between keeper and central defender by stealing the loose ball and smashing it home from a tight angle.

Bhai the Singh scored a superb goal from forty yards. The opposition's keeper, back facing the ball, was too engrossed talking a substitute; only to realise that the ball went in after the loud cheer, and laughter from the X-S bench.

"Paiseh. Paiseh. Paiseh." Was all he could say after being &##^@ by his teammates. Yong Tevez (I think) made it 2-2 before the referee blows the whistle for half time. Defender Bacanury Sagna was made to stand between the goal post for the first half of second half as David "Tauhid" James had to rush off to work. He conceded 2 goals in quick succession.

Enough was enough as manager Derek O'Leary was forced to make a substitution in the 55th minute when the manager himself replaced the misplaced defender at the heart of the post. He too conceded 2 goals in quick succession.

Hudi had a good chance when he took a shot from 25 yards only to see the keeper pushed the ball skywards which lobbed towards the goal only to hit the top of the bar. His elder brother Huda too had a couple one decent chance, one of which hit the wodwork from close range. Such precision.

Shahraul came late in the second half. Brilliant movement by Huda on the left saw the defence open up. Huda laid a simple ball for "panache" Shahraul only for his tame effort to be calmly collected by the keeper. Everyone worked their socks off under the hot hot 11 am sun that sunny sunday.

The dying seconds of injury time saw Ali Giggs, who was playing well below his usual game, sent a 50 metres cross-field ball from the left touchline into the 6 yard box only to have Ilhan Manqif miss the goal by a whisker. Michael Carrick would have been proud of that cross. Match ended 6-2.

Match Analysis by match commentator RonALIdinho. The Maroons sorely needs a goalkeeper. It is one thing to lose. But to lose because of goals that could be save by a thorough-bred goalkeeper is another. The scoreline simply does not reflect the team's performance. Kudos to the 3 brave souls who stood between the post. The Board should look into the matter forthwith. Potential targets include young keepers from secondary school or above looking for a team to improve their goalkeeping skills as well as to gain match experience. I repeat myself, we need a keeper lest we want to keep conceding more goals.

Defence line seem to be pushing up to high. Like Team Vasantham, Team Cinabengs Shide played the frequent long balls over the central defence which led to 3 goals being conceded.

Team News: We have a free agent currently on a one month trial with X-S FC given the first priority to sign the player for a 5 year deal. Wei Jia used to play for team AJC as a right back. He used to be the tireless player who runs up and down the right flank to support the attack as well as running back to defend. I was told he was singled out by the coach back in those days when the coach told the team that he wants everyone to play like him, commited and gives his 100%. I believe he would be a good addition to the team. His first 90 minutes for the club went well. Only question is can he prove his worth on a weekly basis.

The team is still missing key players like captain Fabreyaz, stopper Nizarazu, midfield engine ziDaniel. Influential player Booney didnt make the trip in the defeat by Cinabengs Shide.

Something to consider....