This is goodbye.... ?

what a journey this has been. four years of training - that's what it's taken for us to reach this stage. we could never have done it without the experiences of past years, nor the dedication of the subs. victory cannot be tasted without training, and training cannot be completed without the numbers. this year is as much yours as it is anybody and everybody else's. stand tall, and be proud of it.

anyone wants to maintain this blog? if not, it shall die a magnificent death, at the height of its glories.

nus 1 - nyp 0

what a trip.

Training on Thursday 02 April 2009

today's training was monumental for some of us - it's the last time we'd ever train on NUS grounds. these past four years have been a whack. thanks to all, past and present. umar, luke, faizal, nasir, kaisiang, junhao, jiahao, mook seng, tong, huimin, just to name a few.

started off with some shuttle runs. 3 reps. then played possession football, but you can only be tackled by your marker. there was shooting training going on simultaneously on the other half of the field for 2-3 players at a time. did a couple of sprinting drills - from centre line run to any painted spot on the field and jog back. your partner has to run where you run. each one gets 3 times, so total 6 reps. then lastly we played 2 side for about 15 minutes. end of training.

Training on Saturday 21 March 2009

started out with 2 rounds around the field, and 2 rounds with medicine ball fartlek. then we did 5 sets of plyometrics. then we split into 2 groups. one group played 2 sides in a small area with 2 goals each, while the other group would practice crossing and finishing, or simply finishing. then we played 1v1 dog and bone, whole field. super duper fun i tell you. end of training.

Training on Tuesday, 17 March 2009

started with 2 rounds around the field, then 2 rounds of fartlek with medicine ball. then 5 sets of plyometrics. then a combination of ball passing/leg running/ball throwing zigzag run drills. then we 2 sides, half field but breadth-wise, 5v5. the the third team acts as neutral players for only one team, i.e. every team gets a chance to be against a 'stronger' opposition. then we did some combination play starting from half field, ending with crossing and finishing. end of training.

cock of the day has to go to ANAND. while coach was busy trying to collect all the balls in one spot, the kuku fella took one ball and blasted it goalwards. coach stared at him in shock, and said, "you think you striker is it?" bluekz!

Training on Saturday 14 March 2009

today we trained solid from 0839hrs to 1100hrs. don't waste the $150/hour field at RP. started with 2 rounds around the field. then 5 sets plyometrics. then 7v7 full field. then practised some long passing. then did combination drills down the L/R flanks, practise finishing. then did 10Xpenalty box. then back to 7v7. then 15Xpenalty box. then 6v6. then 15Xpenalty box. then we practised 'specialty'. end of training.

Training on Thursday 5 Mar 2009

started 2 rounds around the field. the 5 reps of plyometrics. then did some dribbling and passing drills. basically from the perimeter of a box, dribble to the middle, then dribble/pass to a waiting player at the perimeter. then we did 12X15m sprints, with 12Xjog back to starting line. then we played 2v3, with neutral players. then we did 10X15m sprints, with 10Xjog back. again OTOT. then we continued with 2v3. then we did 2 sets of 3X100m sprints, 15s between sprints and 3min between each set. end of training.

Training on Tuesday 3 Mar 2009

started with 2 rounds around the field. then 2 rounds around the field fartlek with medicine ball. then plyometrics 5 sets. then a relay exercise involving medicine balls and shot put balls, and lotsa duck walk. then 20X15m sprinting, interlaced with 19X15m jogging (back to the start line lah). end of training.

seems short (i might have missed out some) but was quite shag. i had a toe cramp at the mrt and missed the train.

Training on Thurs 26 Feb 2009

started with 2 rounds around the field. then we did fartlek with medicine ball 2 rounds around the field. then plyometrics 3 reps. then we played 2 sides, but slightly bigger than half field. 6v6, with chengwei as neutral player. then we did 5 minutes of sprint-jog-sprint-jog. then back to the 2 sides. then 7 minutes of sprint-jog-sprint-jog. end of training.

sounds easy, but i cramped lor.

Training on Tuesday 24 Feb 2009

started off with 2 rounds around the field. then 5 sets of plyometrics. then we practised left leg short passing. then we did 15x15m sprints, non-stop, OTOT. then we split into 2 groups. one group did 1v1 for 3 mins, while the other group played 3v1 monkey. switch over. after every switch, we did 15 push ups. did a total of 2 sets each. then we did the 15x15m sprints again. then we played 2 sides. but one team could only use left leg, one team only right. then switch. then we ended off with another set of 15x15m sprints. end of training.

quote of the day has to go to coach. chengwei kicked a ball at fabien when he wasn't looking. then yujun did it back to chengwei. then coach called out:

"chengwei, what goes around, comes around."
- ara "why-your-face-today-so-black" su

Training on Tuesday 17 Feb 2009

today was training together with combined uni. we just played 3 thirds of 11v11 football. abt 20-25mins per third. end of training.

Training on Friday 13 Feb 2009

started with 2 laps of the track. then we did a fart leg with medicine ball i.e. jogging in one line, the last fella sprints to the front with a medicine ball and places it on the ground. he then joins the front of the line. the last guy then has to pick it up and the cylce continues. did 3 laps. then we went into plyometrics, 5 sets. then we did 10 X 200m, 35s, 1min rest.

then we did hopping exercises i.e. hopping up and down as high as you can only on the balls of your feet. 25 times on each foot, 25 times on both feet. then doing a jump as high as you can from a squatting position. 10 reps. then doing spikes (jumping and touching your toes as you do a mid-air split). 10 reps. then did a 360 degree jump in the air, followed by sprinting off the second you touched the ground. 10 reps.

after this did medicine ball throwing and skipping. 8 sets of skipping, 1min each set. the throwers, just throw non-stop. after that we did sprinting drills, with medicine ball (just sprinting up and down, taking turns) and shot put ball. end of training.

cock of the day - has to be LIM WEI QUAN.

"hey weiquan, when's your birthday?"
"EVERYDAY! eh, wait wait wait, that's not what i meant!"

then we got him, and we got him good. muahahahaha....

Training on 10 Feb 2009

started with 4 rounds around the field. then plyometrics, 3 sets. then we did some crossing and finishing drills. then we played a 2 sides, 7v7. after that did some sprinting drills involving medicine ball, shot put ball, and male balls. end of training.

Training on Friday 06 Feb 2009

Today was shoes. 8 out of expected 13 turned up. plus dillon would be 9. we ran four rounds, then stopped due to the rain. then continued with the last 6. end of training.

YOU THINK?!

then we did 4x400m 75s, with 2m30s break. then we had 7min break, before doing 8x200m in 35s, with 1m20s break. (real) end of training.

Training on Tuesday 03 Feb 2009

started with 4 rounds around the field. then plyometrics. then we played 2 sides, but 3/4 field. then we had a few sprinting drills, incorporated with medicine balls, as well as gladiator style sprints, i.e. got people preventing you from running from cone to cone. end of training.

Training on Thursday 22 Jan 2009

started off with 2 rounds. then 3 reps of plyometrics. then we practiced quick counter attacks, with no defenders. then we played 2 sides, whole field. then practised a few penalties, before going for team dinner. end of training.

cock of the day - has to be the vending machine.

Training on Wednesday 21 Jan 2009

started with 1 round warm up. then 3 reps of plyometrics. then we played half field 2 side one touch put the ball on the touchline. then we played 2 sided full field. after that cool down one round and a few practised taking penalties. end of training.

cock of the day - HAS to be hatta. syahrul hatta. for the SECOND time, he left the balls in his car. i tell you, if his own balls weren't attached to his groin...

Training on Saturday 17 Jan 2009

started out with 4 rounds around the field. then plyometrics. then we played two sides, own half two touch, attacking half free touch, put the ball on the line. the playing area was edge of penalty box to edge of penalty box, and the width was the width of the penalty box. then we played full fledged 2 sided game with inserts from coach e.g. free kick here, corner here, goal kick again, etc. then we ended off with 3 x shuttle run. from byline to middle of the half, back to byline to halfway line, back to byline = 1 rep. end of training.

Training on Wednesday 14 Jan 2009

today started out with plyometrics. then some crossing and finishing. left and right flanks. then we did it again, but this time coming from within the penalty area. then we played a quick 2 sides with about 3/4 of the field. then we did one on one finishing with the attackers, and attacking corners for the defenders. end of training.

Training on Saturday 10 Jan 2009

today did 5 rounds for those who played, 2 rounds for those who played less or were rested. the former played takraw, while the latter did some passing drills, followed by 2v2 possession football with neutral players. then we played a quick 2 sides. then tactical briefing. end of training.

Training on Thursday 08 Jan 2009

today did plyometrics first. then team tactics against NTU. then we played two sides whole field. then we gave vincent a happy birthday. then swimming, cinese vs the rest. first round went to the minorities. second round to the chinese. end of training.

Training on Wednesday 07 Jan 2009

today we started with 2 rounds of warm up. then stretching. then 12 reps of 15m sprints. then we split into attack and defence. defence practised dealing with crosses. attack did combination plays. this involved some crossing and shooting as well. then we played two sides, half field. end of training.

quote of the day:

sorry coach sorry, i overslept, i really overslept
-cheng "ole" wei

Training on Tuesday 06 Jan 2009

today.... i forgot what we did today. there was a bit of free kick training at the end of training. can't really remember what we did before that. then after that we went swimming. super fun lah. we had relay. two rounds. first was chinese vs the rest (but vincent became a minority). the second round was VS vs the rest. first round the minorities won. second round went to VS. after that we went for team lunch. end of training.

Training on Monday 05 Jan 2009

started off with 15 X 20m sprints. then broke into groups of three, pass and move within the centre circle. when coach calls your group, you attack the big goal on either side, depending on the direction from coach. quick finishing is the key. after that we had groups of 4, basically pass around the midfield before crossing and/or finishing. this then grew to groups of 5 or 6. after that we played two sides, 9v10. end of training.

Training on Saturday 03 Jan 2009

today was a short lil' training. started off running 5 rounds (for those who played more than 1 half on friday) or 3 rounds (the rest). those who did 3 rounds then did (i think) 3 sets of shuttle run, while the rest played monkey. then after that, we played attack vs defence. after which, we played two sides, but one side would score the big goal, while the other would score two semi-big goals each guarded by a goalie. end of training.

key points - more shooting on sight. when defending, wait till the pass/throw-in has been made before going to the man, otherwise you're creating a hole for the attacker with the ball to exploit.

Training on Thursday 13 Nov 2008

today raining. so match cancelled. did track work.

started with 10 rounds warm up run. then intervals. 4X400m, 75s, 90s rest. 5X300m, 60s, 90s rest. 6X200m, 40s, 90s rest (not quite sure abt the correct rest times though). then 3 rounds cool down. then 3 reps of 15 push up, 20 sit up. end of training.

God Bless.

injuries - fabien, zeyan, rafi

Quote of the day

ok brother! today it's going to be (points to self) you, or (points to zeyan) me!

- fu chengwei, fashionista

Training on Thursday 06 Nov 2008

today was a record attendance in training. somemore got 6 keepers. started off with 3-man-full-field-overlapping-cross-and-finishing drill. did on both flanks. after that played half field 7v7. resting group would then do interval runs around the field (measured at 300m). first round was 2x300m 65s. next was 1x600m 165s. then was 1x300m 65s, 1x300m 90s. next was 1x300 65s. then we did a variation. taking one lap to be running from one corner flag, to the corner flag at the other half, and running back (measured at 200m), we did 3x200m 45s. all this while, each round would be separated by the two-side 7v7. then did 3 sets of 20 sit up, 15 push up. one round around the field cool down. end of training.

God Bless.

injuries - fabien, zeyan (non-basketballer), vincent, rafi.

conversation of the day

mayank: what's the muscle that controls your piss and shit
weisong: what?
mayank: what's the muscle that controls your piss and shit
weisong: how to spell 'piss'?
mayank: P-I-S-S lah!
weisong: ORH... say 'pee' lah...

mayank: so what's the muscle that controls your piss and shit
weisong: bladder.
mayank: that's an organ lah! hahahaha!!!

mayank: ok lah. ask me an engineering question. then you can make fun of me.

Training on Monday 03 Nov 2008

started off with 2 laps around the field warm up. then 5 reps uncle plyometrics. then coach took us for some crossing training. keeper will throw the ball to the flank, player runs down and crosses for the other keeper to catch. this occured simultaneously on both flanks. after this, the drill expanded to include a finisher as well, who would then become the crosser. again this happened simultaneously on both flanks. after that, we played 2v2 half field. this then progressed to a 4v4. after which we went back to uncle sam for 5 reps of shuttle run with medicine ball and shot put interchange, followed by 6 reps half field sprints. 2 laps cool down around the field. end of training.

God Bless

injuries - zeyan, rafi, anand, fabien, vincent.

Training on Tuesday 28 Oct 2008

about 23 ppl in attendance today. started with 4 rounds around the field warm up. then plyometrics. then 3v2 put the ball on the line. which then expanded to 4v3. and finally a 12v11. we then went back to sam for a bit of shuttle run with medicine ball and shot put. cool down 2 rounds around the field. end of training.

God Bless.

(nursing) injuries - fabien, russell, zeyan, anand, rafi, asfa(?).

Training on Tuesday 21 Oct 2008

6 ppl in attendance today. started with plyotechnics, but with a new station - crawl under hurdles. then did skipping with shuttle run. then did 10X20m sprints. then 3v3 rugby. end of training.

God Bless

Tribute

dear harpreet. may you rest well and recover so that your leg will not bother you even from day to day. you have been such a blessing to the team, both on and off the field. always encouraging, always inspiring, you pave the way for what it means to possess that elusive ghost - team spirit. we will miss you on the field. off the field-wise, don't be a stranger man. keep the faith. all the best.

Training on Thursday 16 Oct 2008

today was training cos match got cancelled. about 21 trained, with a couple on the sidelines. total no. who turned up about 25.

sam and arasu combined their powers today. warm up 5 rounds around the track. started off with 3 reps of plyotechnics. then we did intervals. 2 rounds around the field 3m15s. then active rest by passing the ball around. then 3 rounds around the field 4m30s. then active rest. then 2 rounds again. active rest. 3 rounds. active rest. 2 rounds. end of interval. then we went to do slope training. did about 10-12 reps, including the grass slope. then we played no-rules dog-and-bone. end of training.

cock of the day goes to vignesh. during no-rules, he was up against xiang fei. as he grabbed xiang fei's shirt, xiang fei said, 'eh don't pull shirt ok'. blur block vignesh immediately let go of his shirt apologetically, and xiang fei ran home. wah liew!

God Bless.

Injured personnel - fabien, zeyan (the non-basketballer), yasin, russell, vincent?, sudi?.

Training on Tuesday 14 Oct 2008

today had about 18 in attendance. uncle sam training. started off with 5 reps plyotechnics. then we did 4 reps of 2min skipping and medicine ball throwing. after that we did 5 reps of fireman/piggy back squats and walk. then we went for 8X200m. 40s for first 4 rounds, 35s for last 4 rounds. then we ended off with no-rules dog-and-bone. end of training.

cock of the day has to go to weiquan. can be combined with his quote of the day. while playing dog-and-bone, he was up against benjamin, the big guy exchange student. when their number was called, they arrived at the ball together. weiquan said, "eh, wait wait wait...". benjamin then gave him a butt check, leaving him flat out on the ground. words cannot describe the hilarity.

God Bless. injuries/sickness - russell, sudi, yasin, fabien.

Training on Monday 13 Oct 2008

had 18 ppl in attendance. started off with a four-man drill, aka the near-near-far drill. pass, lay off, diagonal pass. after that, we played monkey, but the objective was to make as many penetrative passes as possible i.e. in between the monkeys, using the near-near-far technique. after that we played 4v4 (including keeper) with big goal post. focus on quick shooting. the others as neutral players. after each team went twice, we went for 2X400m, 65s. then we went back to 2 more reps of the 4v4, after which we went for 3X400m, 65s. then we enlarged the playing area and started playing 5v5/6v6 (including keeper). after a few reps, we ended off with the last 3X400m, 65s. end of training.

welcome to new international student, benjamin. also, please keep harpreet in your thoughts. he injured his knee again during training. other players playing through/in pain include sudi (metetarsal), chris(?foot?), flo-jo (?groin?), anand (sick), fabien (knee), mark (?knee?)... anyone else missing out?

God Bless

Training on Tuesday 07 Oct 2008

had 15 ppl in attendance today. uncle sam training. started with 3 rounds of the field warm up. then plyometrics (hop skip jump). 5 sets. then went to do skipping and medicine ball throwing. 6 sets. this time the skipping would end with a 2 lap shuttle run. after that was squats with shot put ball in outstretched hands then walk go around a cone and come back to your line pass to the next fella. 5 sets. then we played no rules dog and bone i.e. as long as you get the ball to your side, it doesn't matter how. it was a mudfest man i tell you. ended off with 10 sprints, each one the length of the field. end of training.

God Bless.

Training on Monday 06 Oct 2008

had about 18 ppl in attendance. warm up with ball drills. all players around a square. four balls in play. then:

a) player with ball dribbles to centre, then dribbles to another player and passes
b) player dribbles to centre, passes to another player
c) dribbles to centre, dribbles around a perimeter player and lays the ball off
d) dribbles to centre, passes to another player who plays a quick one two with the ex-dribbler
e) dribbles to centre, passes to another player who lays it off to the ex-dribbler who passes to yet another different player

then we played possession football. 4v4 and 5v5, neutral player 2-touch, inside can any how molest.

in between these exercises, we went for a 65 sec run around the field. did a total of 3 rounds.

then we did 3 min exercise. one group would play two sides, defending two goals each, put the ball on the line; while the other group would go for 2 sets of a 65 sec run around the field (60 sec break). then groups switch over. did a total of two cycles i.e. we ran 4 rounds around the field, which made for a grand total of 7 rounds (including the earlier 3 rounds).

cool down with 3 rounds jog. end of training.

God Bless.

Training on Thursday 02 Oct 2008

13 ppl in attendance. so we played 7v6 half field big goal post. end of training.

God Bless

Tribute

A great man has left the building. He has touched the lives of all Singaporeans, whether they've realised it or not. In a time where human rights were as relevant as powerpuff girls, he was a man of the future, ahead of his time. What we strive for today, had long been fought for by him. If only a critical mass of Singaporeans had similar foresight, this would be home, truly, today.

God's best JBJ.

Quote of the day

"chengwei! where are you going?"

- arasu, right in the middle of the game, as chengwei was walking towards the defensive half

Training on Tuesday 23 Sep 2008

today we started doing a few sprints. about 20-30m, 8-10 reps. then we did crossing and finishing. then played two sides, free touch. end of training.

God Bless

Training on Monday 22 Sep 2008

started off 3 rounds around the field warm up. then to uncle same for plyometrics (hop skip jump). then we played full field two sides. about 9v9. first 20 minutes was defensive half two touch, attacking half free touch. next 20 minutes was free touch all over. molest. then finally back to uncle sam for skipping and medicine ball throwing. end of training.

God Bless

Training on Monday 15 Sep 2008

today was mainly track drills. did 4km warm up run. then plyometrics. then skipping. then medicine ball throwing. then a 6X200m run. after which we had SUPER FUN FUTSAL LAH!!!! one goal or five minutes both teams out. chengwei u loogi man. end of training.

cock of the day has to go to fong xiongkun lah. he action ma ma during the 200m. started on lane 7 instead of in lane 1 and 2 with the rest of the gang. kena scolded by coach "ARE YOU PART OF THE TEAM OR NOT?!?!" whattacock.

God Bless

Training on Saturday 13 Sep 2008

today training only 12 ppl man. did mostly fitnesss with ball. did some passing and lay off drills, some finishing drills, as well as half field 5v5 2 touch put the ball on the line. end of training.

God Bless

Training on Monday 08 Sep 2008

today was mud wrestling in field 2. started of with zig zag passing drill. then zig zag passing drill with no ball. then we moved into two sides on a small pitch, with the rest as neutral players. end of training.

God Bless

Training on Thursday 04 Sep 2008

today trained in MPSH1. attendance about 24. we did passing drills and sprinting drills; lots up push ups, crunches, calf raise, burpees; played handball, as well as futsal (including a combination of the 2 whereby one half of the court must use hands, the other half use legs). then we finished off with ambulance run. end of training.

COCK OF THE DAY has to go to russell 'rascal' perreira. He headed poor nigel who now looks like a victim of chengwei's salakau gang.

God Bless

Training on Tuesday 02 Sep 2008

today's training in mpsh1. attendance about 16. did some monkey drills (4v1), passing drills, dribbling drills. then we played 3v2. end of training.

God Bless

Training on Monday 01 Sep 2008

today's attendance about 22-24. started off with 2 rounds. then 5 reps of biometrics. then 6 reps of skipping and medicine ball throwing. then 6X200m 36s. then we played 2 sides, half field. quite crowded, but okay lah. end of training.

God Bless

Training on Friday 29 August 2008

today's attendance started off with 14, then ballooned to 22 after classes ended at 6. we started off with pressure drills. everyone got into pairs. then the couples would go into a marked out area. usually 2 or 3 couples at a time. the others would stand around the area. these others would hold a ball. so the couples begin, one would ask for a ball and play it back, while the other would try to win it. we did a few reps of this. then it changed to volley the ball back. then it changed to control on thigh and pass back. then it changed to chest the ball back. then it changed to head the ball back (but this time, the headerer is behind his partner). then it changed to catch the ball in the air at the highest point possible.

pointer - when controlling a high ball (on the thigh or on the chest, wherever), don't pop it up. it would take even more time for you to finally get in under control on the ground. control the ball to your feet as quickly as possible. unless of course you're chengwei and your doing a trick.

next drill was possesion. same couples, but this time each would take turns to keep possession of the ball. can use the outside players as neutrals. then this changed into 2v2 or 3v3, 2-touch.

after that we played 2 sides. shirts vs bibs. bibs won 2-1, but can i just say, from an extremely biased point of view, that the shirts totally owned the bibs. end of training.

God Bless

Training on Tuesday 26 August 2008

started off with 8 rounds around the field. then we went to field 2 to do a few sets of 1v1. then we went for biometrics with uncle sam. then we played 2 sides with the combined uni team incorporated as well. two formats. the first format was only one team attacking. the defending must move out of the zone in order to attack the waiting team at the other goal. second format was just normal two sides, but with neutral players. end of training.

God Bless

Training on Monday 25 August 2008

training match. played 3 thirds. end of training.

God Bless

Training on Friday 22 August 2008

today had about 20+ players in attendance.

started off with a simple 3 man crossing drill:

-----goal post-------



----A---------B


---------C

C pass to B, pass back to C, who sends it towards the byline near the edge of the penalty box, for A to run onto and drive a cross for B and C to finish.

Then we moved into another crossing drill. simpler one this time. crossing coming from left and right flanks. ball starts with the flanker. he pushes it towards the byline and crosses for two players running into the box, as well as the opposite flanker coming in from the far side. emphasis is on low and hard crosses.

then we played 6-a-side football, whole field. fitness training. some conditions were: five passes in own half, two touch in own half, no dead ball, no pass back to own half.

finally we did 30 push up, 50 sit up/crunches. end of training.

God Bless

Training on Thursday 21 August 2008

today was practice match. 3 thirds. when you weren't playing, you had to run 8 rounds around the field. end of training.

God Bless

Training on Tuesday 19 August 2008

today was friendly match with NTU/SMU/SIM. played 3 thirds of half an hour each. but before that, we ran 15 rounds around the field (although in an L-shape cos of javelin thrower), during the match, whoever not playing had to do biometrics with uncle sam (the jump jump jump exercises), and after the match we did 5 sets of shuttle run, and one sprint. end of training.

God Bless

Training on Monday 18 August 2008

today's attendance was abt 33 ppl, including i think 7 keepers.

started off with primary school recess football - half field one touch, put the ball on the touchline. then we played a couple half field two-sided games. first was abt 8v8. then it became 4v4/5v5. while you're not playing, you're either neutral, or running one lap around the whole pitch. then it started raining like nobody's business. so training ended a little earlier. end of training.

God Bless

Training on Wednesday 13 August

today's attendance was panda, sudi, russell, junxiong (welcome back!), fong xiongkun, chengwei, dylan (army boy, yet to enter uni), joseph, yuda, wayne, chengkang, chris, gerald (welcome back too!!)

not much training. focus was on the trials. in the end we sent a team to play against the trialists, 11-a-side, 20 - 30 minutes. end of training.

God Bless

Training on Tuesday 12 August

today's training was combined with the other unis. attendance included chris, chengkang, yujun, harpreet, wayne, fong xiongkun, chengwei, nicholas, russell, raihan, weiquan, zeyan, vincent, flo-jo, sudi, mark, dylan, (who's still in army).... aiyo. so many other people, very hard to remember leh. sorry to those whom i've failed to mention ya... oh and the trials had like 1000 ppl, so that was kinda cool.

so coach had to concentrate more on the trials today. uncle sam took us for 5 x ladder ladder shuffle shuffle head head roll roll circuit again after the obligatory 2 rounds warm up. after that we played 2 side, but only on one half. put the ball on the touchline. 3 teams, so rotate. after you come out run one round. we did about 5-6 reps each. then we went off for a bit of a shuttle run competition which was pretty fun i'd admit. end of training.

God Bless

Training on Wednesday 30 July

today's attendace was about 17. ppl there included zeyan, mark, chengwei, chris, sudi, russell, yuda, fong, nigel, joseph, flo-jo (aka joseph senior from law, slacker with funky hair), harpreet, wayne, prashanth, chengkang, yujun, and we welcome a new face, the KR goalie (whose name i have apologetically forgotten!).

coach didn't come today, so uncle sam took us. started off with 2 rounds around the field warm up. then 5 reps of sam's dynamic stations (the hopping hopping ones). the we did strength exercises, 4 reps of carrying shot put balls and medicine balls up and down a 20m distance. then we played dog and bone, but football style! then we played two sides, but within a small area. two touch, put the ball on the line. we then finished off with a 20 rep alternate leg raise jack knife. end of training.

God Bless. see y'all next wednesday. oh, and training is probably gonna be upped to 2 once sem starts. not sure which 2 though.

Quote of the moment

don't show your weakness. show me can already, no need to show everybody.

- coach arasu, to fu chengwei, as he tried to juggle/fancy footwork/whatever while waiting for the next instruction from coach

Training on Wednesday 23 July

aaaaaaaaaaannnnndddd.......... welcome back to the season! today was the second training of the year. sorry missed out on last week's. today's attendance about 18, including 4 new faces, welcome to prashanth, nigel, jin long, and joseph. old birds who came - mark, chengkang, sudi, raihan, fong xiongkun, chris, josesph (flo), evan, yujun, harpreet, wayne, russell, chengwei, and one or two more i think...

we started off with a passing drill. about 11 cones. one person at each cone. pass the ball to the first cone, then u run to that cone which becomes your new position, and so on.

next was another passing drill. 3 to a ball. pass to each other within a 5m by 5m area, then a 10m by 10m area, then a 20m by 20m area. objective is to look up and make accurate passes to your team mates.

next we played 3v3, keep possession within a 20m by 20m area. the rest of the players were neutral players around the boundary. then we played half field possession. 9v9. it progressed from free touch, to 2 touch and no dead ball and no passing back to the same player immediately.

then we ended off with 20 push ups, sit ups, and 2 laps around the field.

end of training.

cock of the day: this has to be FU CHENGWEI once again. why? see latest post.

God Bless!

p.s. we wish evan all the best as he heads to chelsea this semester, replacing avram grant as technical director.

TeamNUS Sports Grant

hey guys... anyone looking for a bond-less scholarship, check out the teamNUS sports grant. it's for SGD$2000 a year if i'm not wrong.

http://www.nus.edu.sg/osa/sports/eaa/annc/sportsgrants.htm

p.s. only those with 4 semesters of exam results can apply... sorry...

Quote of the day

ok, so we were playing taboo at fabien's house during the football gathering. for the uninitiated, taboo is a word guessing game, whereby you have to guess the word that the giver is trying to describe. the catch is, there are some words which the giver cannot use and hence 'taboo'.

so we were trying to guess this word. i forgot who the giver was man (eh, who ah?) but he said:

"Chengwei is a?"

and everybody said:

"COCK!"

easiest point of the game.

Goodbye England's Rose

'tis been a fun ride comrades. see y'all around.

God Bless.

IVP Semi-final on Monday 10 March: Nanyang Poly vs. NUS

so the big day arrived. "hyped up" is not even close to describing how we were feeling. 'tis been a season of upsets. it's the year of the underdog. the currents were flowing in our favour. Kimi Raikkonen vs Lewis Hamilton. Roger Federer vs. Novak Djokovic. Chelsea and Liverpool vs Barnsley. Portsmouth vs Manchester United. Cardiff vs Middlesborough. Barcelona vs Seville. Real Madrid vs. Getafe... the list goes on. Russell said he had trouble sleeping at night, and concentrating in class. i suspect that's a usual occurence.

trooping up the bus, spirits were high. sudi was listening to his pre-game music. we have yet to lose this season when he's done that. the light drizzle felt like fingers on the ivories. all in all, conditions primed for success. touch down. we were there first. perhaps a sigh of greater hunger. suiting up, warming up, pre-game pep talk by coach. the battle cry has never sounded louder. line-up: harpreet, mark, chris, gerald, andy, vincent, junhao, umar, raihan, fabien, fong. kick-off.

NUS on the attack right from the start. vincent's teasing cross from the left. keeping possession in the opponent's half. no desperate defending. yet. 5th minute, long punt from mark, keeper comes out to claim the ball, it slips from his hands and falls behind him to a waiting fabien, who lashes it into goal emphatically. 1-0 to the dogs. it's tight. NYP's corners threaten every single time with fantastic delivery from star player Shadhan. 9 corners in the first half. on the brink of half-time, NUS escapes by the skin of their teeth, a one-on-one with harpreet blazed over. the whistle goes. hi-fives all round. strategy for the second half - stop giving away corners.

2nd half kick-off. there are almost 20 players in the NUS half at times. too bad we couldn't stick to the strategy. 55th minute, NYP equalizes from a corner. 1-1. some desperate defending as the clock counts down. zeyan on for fong, sudi on for umar. right at the death, zeyan heads a screamer just wide. harpreet sprawls to his left in a sure-goal attack. the whistle goes. silent celebrations in the NUS camp. penalties. no extra-time. NUS to take the first kick.

Gerald. scores.
NYP. scores.
Junhao. kisses the keeper's left post.
NYP. head-on impact with the bar.
Zeyan. scores.
NYP. scores.
Fabien. scores.
NYP. scores.
Sudi. scores.
NYP. scores.

4-4. sudden death penalty shootout.
chris. misses the keeper's right post by an inch.
NYP. enters the final.

heartbreak all round. but we were warriors, no doubt about that. a run for their money. hearts in their mouths. we were no pushovers. cheers NUS. we showed them that heart and spirit can overcome all odds indeed. special salute to the ever encouraging bench, without whom we could not have trained the way we did, and make it thus far.

till IVP 08/09.

Training on Saturday 8 March

today had 17 people in training. plus 1 ethan, so that made 18.

we started off with a quick team talk on NYP by coach - their team status, how we're gonna play against them, and a bit of a pep talk by him.

then we played half field 9v9 with big goal posts. one touch. after that we did a couple of sprints. 10m and 15m sprints. about 5 reps each i think. then we played big field, 11v7, just trying to simulate game situations, how we're gonna play on the day itself. ended off with a few guys practising penalties, while the rest did cooling down run.

after that, there was another pep talk by captain marvel. shebby and chris also took some time to say a few words. zeyan had a few choice morsels to add as well, but obviously just cock stuff lah... haha.

cock of the day goes to... RUSSELL "ALWAYS-FALL-DOWN" PERREIRA!!!! he fell down again today after getting clipped by raihan... i tell you, it was macham america's funniest videos man!!! and he had like a super pissed face lah!!

will be praying for you injured out there - yujun, david, junhao, sudi's and chengwei's boots....

God bless guys. i love rachel.

Training on Thursday 06 March

today had 16 ppl in attendance, including one injured yujun. also had justin and evan, the two exchange students. so total of 18.

started out with 1v1. did 5 reps. then it became 2v2, with neutral players all around. after that we did a 3-man crossing and finishing drill. one player on left flank, centre circle, and right flank. the flanker would play the ball down the line, for the centre guy to do a diagonal run and cross for the other 2 incoming players. did this on the right and left flanks. then we moved into 5v5, half-field, big goal post, with one team having all the neutral players, and the other team having none. end of training.

cock of the day - RUSSELL "PROM-KING-CLEO-BACHELOR-MANHUNT" PERREIRA! you all know it rained yesterday right? so the pitch was super muddy. during the 1v1, the very very very first drill, russell started first with sudi. within 10 secs, russell went from half-indian, to full-indian.* WAHAHAHA!!!!

*disclaimer - this post is not meant to be seditious at all. we in this team are all rational, fun-loving people. PAP/ISD/LEE people, please don't come arrest me over this ok? if you want, come and find me for other things. i'll be more than happy to be abused and tortured, then 'escape' from whitley. thanks.

Match on Tuesday 4 March

totally destroyed UWC. 12-0 i think. or was it 10? not sure... we put out a pretty strong squad, with fabian, zeyan, raihan, and wincent making returns to the team. our prayers go out to the injured, like captain marvel, yujun, david, anyone else? panda's tonsilitis like okay liao. sorry if i've missed anyone. to the recovering like nicholas yip, rest well...

God Bless guys.

Training on Monday 3 March

today's training about 12 pple. or less. not sure.

started out with 2 sides. playing area was very skinny, like 30m by 15m. 3 goals for each team, put the ball on the line. after that, we had some finishing practice. 2 players per group. standing about 5m apart, at the top of the penalty box. coach would pass to one guy, the guy would lay back, then the two of them do a running switch, while coach plays the ball to either one to finish/cross, while the other rebounds/finishes. after that, a bit of fitness. sprint 40m, jog 15m, sprint 40m, jog breadth of field, sprint 40m, jog 15m, sprint 40m, jog breadth of field. you should realise that we're doing laps around the pitch. total of 8 sprints. end of training.

Friendly on Friday 29 Feb

We outplayed and outclassed the Singapore U-18s... but ended up losing 1-0. they had like one shot on goal lah. still, we seem to be shaping up pretty okay guys... heads up!

Quote of the moment

"you don't know meh? he go help the terrorist escape."

-jun "captain marvel" hao, when asked 'where is umar'?

Training on Thursday 28 Feb

today got like 14 people in attendance. who else need wake up call, tell me lei...

started with a drill.

A-----------B





C-----------D

A will pass to B, who will pass back to A in space, who makes a diagonal pass to D, who will lay it just in front for C to do a diagonal run, get the ball, and pass back to A and the cycle repeats. we then switched direction. so now it's B making the diagonal pass to C.

Then we did another drill.

---------------------A

--------------B

------C--------------D

This drill starts from the halfway line. A, B and D are on the left flank. so A pass to B, who pass to D, who pass back to A, who plays it down the line for C to make a diagonal run and cross for A, B and D to finish. then we did a variation. A pass to C (with B making a dummy), who then a) passes to D who can either take it down the line and cross, or play it down the line for overlapping A to cross, or b) play the ball towards the corner flag for A or D to cross.

Then we had a little competition. 2 teams. each team had to score as many goals within 2 minutes. the ball would be sent into the penalty box and a player will finish with one touch. the crosser then becomes the finisher, and the last finisher joins the rest of the crossers. the cross was a grounder into the box. the losing team (team with the fewer goals) would have to run one round in 60s. there were 2 more variations of the competition. the 2nd round involved playing a high ball and finishing without letting the ball bounce. this time, crosser and finisher no need to change place. just decide who you want to be crosser(s)/finisher(s). the 3rd round was a mix of the previous 2 rounds. for the 1st minute, the cross is a grounder into the box. for the 2nd minute, it had to be an aerial ball. again, no restrictions on the crosser(s)/finisher(s).

then we played a game of 2 sides. 7v7, half field. end of training.

Training on Tuesday 26 Feb

today attendance about 13. including the injured. we started off with 1v1. put the ball on the line. area about 20m by 10m. then went into 1v1 half field, score the big goal. both players would stand side by side facing the goal, and from behind them, coach would throw the ball into play. react as fast as you can and score. a variation was added, where by the players face coach, one guy in front of the other. lastly, we did crossing and finishing. 2 man drill. player in the centre of the pitch plays the ball to the corner flag, guy running down the flank crosses. after which, both players have to sprint back to the starting spot. each player got to cross 3 times. end of training.

COCK OF THE DAY has to go to SUDI. while doing the 'blind' 1v1, fong was helping to pick the balls. from the back, he kicked a ball towards the group. the ball rolled ever so slowly towards sudi and yuda. coach was preparing to throw the ball. then the ball that fong kicked zun zun rolled in between sudi and yuda, and as it rolled it kissed the back of sudi's leg. WA LEMAK!!! YOU SHOULD HAVE SEEN HIM REACT MAN!!! SUPER FUNNY LAH!!!! LIKE KENA ELECTRIC SHOCK LIKE THAT!!!! then he ran off with the ball and yuda had to chase him, with coach wondering 'what in the world are these two doing? i haven't even thrown the ball yet!'

thanks for a great laugh once again sud. to the rest who couldn't wake up on time - don't shy lah... just ask for wake up call... to chengkang - make sure you belanja makan ok? $400 richer right somebody... and to the injured - rest those ankles and shins and backs and whatever-else. ice ice baby...

God Bless.

Training on Thursday 21 Feb

today was a friendly against the combined uni team. NUS won 3-1 with 2 goals from chengwei (both right foot) and one from andy (free kick). end of training.

Training on Tuesday 19 Feb

today, we played a friendly against the players left over from the IFG semis... if i'm not wrong, it was a combination of arts, engine, and business players. end of training.

Training on Tuesday 12 Feb

today got 14 people in attendance. we started out with some passing drills.

drill 1:

A---------------B



C---------------D

2 people at each cone ABCD. B pass to A, A layback to B (who had run about halfway towards A), B pass to C, C layback to A and so on. B is now at A, and A is now at C, and so on. we've done this drill before. it shall henceforth be known as the 4-man drill.

drill 2:

A-------B



C-------D

D pass to A, A pass to B, B pass to C, C pass to D. after passing, your new position is the cone you passed to.

drill 3:

C----------D


-----B


-----A-----E

A pass to B (but pass to space, so not directly at the cone), B layback to A, A pass direct to C, C layback to B, B pass to D (pass to space), D dribbles to E. then each player moves to the next successive cone, and so on.

drill 4:

same formation as drill 3, but this time, A pass to B (pass to space), B layback to A, A pass to C, C pass straight to D (pass to space), D dribble to E.

after that, we played 3v2 with neutral players. NEUTRAL PLAYERS ONE TOUCH. team with 3 players, two touch. team with 2 players, free touch. did about 4 reps each. then moved to play half field 7v7. one team score big goal, other team put the ball on the line of 3 goal posts. switched sides. then went for a bit of physical. sprint from halfway line to corner flag. jog the breadth. sprint from corner flag to halfway line. jog breadth. total 8 sprints. end of training.

Training on Saturday 26 Jan

started off with crossing and finishing. from centre line, the ball will be played down the flank for a crosser to run onto. he will be chased by a defender, so he has to cross under pressure/cross on the run/beat the defender. 2 strikers will finish.

then we moved into a 1v1. starting from centre line again, player with the ball has to hold off a chasing defender, and score.

after which we played a simple 2 sides game. then went for swimming pool. end of training.

today we welcomed back zeyan and vincent! but their injuries are still relatively on the mend, so please spare a thought/prayer for them.

God Bless guys.

Training on Thursday 24 Jan

today we trained at field 2. started off with 2 to a ball. pass back and forth. then we did a bit of fitness work. we continued with the passing drill, but we now were only like 1 metre apart. when coach blows the whistle, whoever had the ball would dribble away, while the other fella would try and tackle him. during 'breaks' between the whistle blows, we would juggle the ball in the air between each other. total we did like 4 dribbles each, and had 2 breaks.

after that we played 2v2 in a small area, but with the two big goalposts. neutral players all around. after your turn, you would go for a 90sec recovery jog. after about 3 reps each, we went into 4v4. neutral players all around. no recovery jog this time. about 3-4 reps. then we opened up to play an 8-a-side game. end of training.

we also welcomed a couple of exchange students who trained with us. what are their names ah gerald? i only know evan, and justin, if i'm not wrong.

God Bless guys. and we're still concerned/praying for guys on the recovering/injured/sick list. raihan, vincent, zeyan, andy, junhao... rest well guys

Training on Wednesday 16 Jan

trained at NJC today. started with 8 reps of 12 yard sprints. then we played 2 sides, half field. one team scored in the goal. the other team had 2 big goals (i.e. got goalkeeper) to score, one on each flank. after a while, change sides. after that, we did some crossing and finishing drills. end of training.

cock of the day goes to FOOYUDA!!! we took cab there today, cos the bus last minute cannot. then he forgot to take receipt. eh, those who took cab with him, make sure you all split the bill ah!

our thoughts are with you zeyan. may you recover quickly from your back injury. God bless.

Training on Tuesday 15 Jan

today match got cancelled. rained out. so we just trained a bit at TP. put the ball on the touchline, half field. free touch. after that, we did 5 reps of suicides (a.k.a. shuttle run, but with 3 cones, each further away than the previous one). end of training.

Training on Monday 14 Jan

today trained one hour at east coast cage. we just played 5-a-side. 4 teams in total. sometimes both teams out, sometimes one team stays. all depends on what coach says. end of training.

Training on Saturday 12 Jan

trained at NJC again. first we did 10 rounds around the field. then we played 7v7. one team had 3 goal posts to score by putting the ball on the line, while the other team scored in the big goal. then we did some crossing and finishing drills, L/R. then we practised penalties. end of training.

Training on Friday 11 Jan

today we trained at NJC's artificial turf. started off with 2 sides - mixed teams with NJ. first was one touch, two touch, then free touch. after that we did a full field crossing drill. overlapping runs. then we did a half-field crossing drill. underlapping run this time. then we played 2 sides again. end of training.

COCK of the day has to go to fong lah today. during the last crossing drill, it started raining super duper heavily, so we cut training and went to the grandstand. after a while, coach disappeared also. then we sat there like goondus for another while. then people started taking off their boots and changing up. so fong obviously thought good day liao, so he went to bathe. bathe finish liao, while drying himself in the toilet - KANASAI. TRAINING RESUME. walau, as nic yip put it so aptly 'haha... change parade ah you...' sigh. good thing he was well trained in army.

Training on Tuesday 08 Jan

today trained at field 1. outstanding attendance of 21. started off with a bit of captain's ball for warm up. then we did a bit of sprint drills. cones placed as such.
---------A---------B


C-------------D-----------E

starting from D, run to each cone and back to D again. each did 3 reps. then we moved into counter attacking drill. 2 boxes at each end of the pitch. the 'monkey' team has to intercept the ball and send it to their own box where they have to keep possession. the new monkey team then has to intercept the ball and send it back to their own box where there are always 2 waiting players.

then we played 2 sides. after which we moved into crossing and finishing drill, L/R. end of training.

Training on Monday 07 Jan

today was training at field 1. wah... everybody late today sia... and you'd never guess who was the first - UMAR LAH!!!! outsidestanding indeed...

started off with a mini-sided game. i'm avoiding the description due to tactical reasons. then we played 2 sides. after which we had a bit of physical. coach would say "penalty line!" or "6 yard line!" or "me!" and we'd have to run to that spot. after about 3 minutes of work, we went to the pool. end of training.

Training on Saturday 05 Jan

today was a wet wet training. really good attendance - 20 out of 22. trained at field 2.

started with attacking drills. 5v3. then the 3 defenders would rotate. then it moved into a 5v4. after that we played 2 sides. super funny lah. ball kept getting stuck in the water. key is to play long ball in such situations. take long shots. finished off with ambulance run i.e. cone relay. each fella had to do 2 long runs. end of training.

COCKS OF THE DAY - mark and chengkang both thought it was monday... figures lah, the two of them so *ahem* 'buddy-buddy'...

Training on Wednesday 02 Jan

today we trained on field 1. really quite beautiful. we started off with possession football, one touch, half field. put the ball on the touchline. then we did sprint drills. then we played two sides, but with coach inserting different game situations now and then. ended of with swimming pool in SRC. end of training.

it's time guys. to show what we're made of. the last two years have simply been an appetiser for all to see.

Training on Monday 31 Dec

today we started off with some sprint drills. after that, we played two sides against this old man team. we destroyed them lah. after about 30-45 mins, we played 2 sides against each other, but only 10-a-side. coach and mr chiang played some more! after this, we went to the swimming pool at kallang bahru. near ex-VS, currently-CEDAR! end of training.

Training on Friday 28 Dec

today's training was on nus field 1 finally! she's recovered quite well i must say, although still a bit bumpy. never. it's much better than the swamp we all knew at first!

started off with 8 X sprints of about 30m. then we played half field 5-a-side. 3 teams in total, so the waiting team will act as neutral players. after this, coach went off to watch the SIM vs NP game. so we carried on with a bit of shooting, and free kick practice. end of training.

Training on Thursday 27 Dec

about 19 ppl in attendance. plus one times mark who is injured. started off with a couple of sprints. about... 10 i think? then moved on to crossing drill. pass to the L/R flank, drill low and hard to near post, with 3 in the box and one outside.

then we played two sides, but focused more on one half. the defending team, if they got the ball could then counter attack, but focus was definitely more on the attacking side.

after that we played real two sides. only thing is sometimes coach would blow the whistle and we would have to play with a new ball and react to the new situation that he created.

ended off with some combination play work for some, clearing for others, and shooting for some. end of training.

Quote of the moment

"eh zeyan, your basketball boots what size ah?"

-anonymous

Training on Wednesday 26 Dec

there were about 21 people in attendance today. started off with 12 X short sprint. about 5-7 metres. then did a 3 man full field crossing drill. keeper passes to the L/R flanker, who passes to the guy in the centre cirlce, who then lays the ball towards the corner flag for the other flanker to cross in and the other 2 finish. did about 8 reps.

after that, we did attack verses defence. shirt verses no shirt. cos stupid mark never come, never DELEGATE people to get the ball bag and bring the bibs. but it's ok mark. ice that ankle well.

after that we did two sides. and at the end of training, some guys practised finishing with coach. end of training.

Training on Sat 22 Nov

today's attendance was abysmal. but ok lah, it was a change from the original plan, so maybe people had plans in the morning (originally it was an afternoon match). we again played at the swamp in field 2. wa... panda really destroyed the pitch with his diving around man.

we started off with a crossing drill. from the flank, pass and layoff down the line, cross into the near post, with three attacking players looking to finish. we did left and right flanks.

then we did a couple of combination plays. for strategic and security reasons, i shall not post them here. suffice to say, if we could execute the moves in a match, it would be quite magical. finshed training with some shooting practice, that wasn't much cos of the mud. end of training.

so we've welcomed fabien back into the past 2 trainings. hopefully he'll continue to be part of this team.

also, for you guys that we're there, you missed a major taupok - panda totally suplexed chengwei lah. then crushed his lungs with his entire body. it was super funny lah.

Training on Friday 21 Nov

today was at field 2. it was more like a swamp man.

we played 2 sides on one half of the field, attack verses defence. each took turns to attack or defend. the defenders put the ball on the halfway line, attackers aim to score. after that we played regular two sides. short training lah. cos coach wanted to go watch the NP vs TP game which NP won 4-1. end of training.

Quote of the moment

"hmmm. it's still raining but we'll work on the track lah. even if fall sick, still got time to recover."

- Ara "black face" su

Training on Tuesday 18 Dec

today's training at wet and rained out NUS, i.e. track work in shoes. really short training lah. started off with 10 rounds easy jogging. then intervals - 2x400m in 90s; 3x300m in 70s; 6x200m in 32s. end of training.

today's training quite few people turned up leh...

Training on Monday 17 Dec

today's training was at st wilfrid's. wa... everybody came super on time sia. we were warmed up and ready for the first drill even before 1500hrs lah.

so we started with 2 agility drills. one was hopping. the other was ladder. each 6 reps. then we moved on to possession football, half field. 12 v 12. the team keeping possession would have one player each on the two touchlines and on the halfway line. free touch for them. the other team that was trying to score only has 2 touches.

after that, we moved on to attacking football. about 4 v 3. free touch. start from halfway line, attack and score, while defending team tries to put the ball on the halfway line. this drill then morphed into counter attacking football. the defending team (which has 3 players) would only have 1 in the defensive zone. the other two start from the halfway line. upon start, everybody would chiong back to the goal, with the attackers of course trying to score quickly lah.

then we had a zonal football drill. now it's 2 sides, but with 3 zones. in your own defending zone, 2 touch. in the midfield zone, 1 touch. in the attacking zone, free touch.

training was completed with a little physical with ball. crossing and finishing. everyone got into pairs. starting from the halfway line, the player in the centre sends the ball towards the corner flag for the other guy to cross. after that, they turn around and sprint to the other goal post, this time the finisher turns into the crosser. 3 reps. end of training.

Invite to Football Tournament

hey guys, the nus girls team organising a tournament on 17 Dec Monday at 5pm. it's a 5-a-side, street soccer (got walls) $10 per team with a total of 6 teams in the tournament. it'll be held near clementi MRT station. who's interested? quick drop me a message. they need to know interested parties by tomorrow.

God Bless
Fong Xiongkun
97552894

Training on Thursday 22 Nov

hello all. so on tuesday, nobody turned up, so i just did a 12km long run instead of the proposed programme.

for thursday, i'll still be there, but this time, i'll be there a bit earlier, cos i'm meeting some friends at 2000hrs. so for interested parties, i'll be at the track at 6pm sharp. seeya'll if i do.

oh and my no. is 97552894. or 96230640. but if you call the second no., must speak in chinese. i'm using that no. to force-train my mandarin.

Training on Tuesday 20 Nov

Hey guys... looks like coach still hasn't come up with a training schedule. let's just start on our own amateurish one lah huh... who wants to come? either turn up outside central library at 1900hrs, or at SRC at 1915hrs. you can call me if you're coming so that i'll know to wait for you.

max out is one hour lah. for tuesday, let's do... 6km run in 40mins, followed by 6X400m, 90secs per round. everything should be over in an hour, then you can go back to your oily books...

seeya'll!

p.s. i'll probably be running again on thursday and friday, so watch this space!!!

p.p.s sudi!!!! i'm sorry i didn't run with you today... had a lil' sum'in goin' on... IF YA KNOW WHAT I MEAN!!! hehe...

Quote of the moment

after a bad tackle...

"*&$$%#%@!!@#?! What the hell are you trying to do man!"
- nicholas "panda" lim

Training on 15 Nov Thursday

22 people in attendance. boots training. started off with monkey - however there are 3 sides; blue, green, red. one colour will be the monkey. whichever other colour loses possession to the monkey colour will become the new monkey colour.

after that did some sprint drills. face front go; face back go; run around the cone go; hop over the ball go; hop forwards over the cone go; hop backwards over the cone go; etc.

finally did some counter attack practice. broke up into groups of six. 4v2 half field. score within 30 seconds. everybody gets to defend 3 times i.e. 9 reps in total. end of training.

oh and we drew the friendly 0-0, although we could've scored a number lah. still, it was a pretty good performance.

next week, our own training kicks in. anyone wants to join me please do. 7pm at SRC track. max finish by 8pm. monday, tuesday, thursday, friday. watch this space for more updates closer to the days.

God Bless and rest well.

Quote of the moment

"busy lah. after exams i will be free."
- umar "ramu" ngalim

Quote of the moment

"i came to school at 1030. my lecture ended at 1045."
- sud "how-many-balls" di

Quotes of the moment

"don't know which country your ancestors from."
- coach "angry face" ara, to cheng "ah beng" wei.

"hokkien."
- cheng "ah beng" wei, in response.

"i said which country, you say hokkien."
- coach ara, in response again.

"kenyan mah."
- yu "ninja" da, eavesdropping.

"get those gremlins off the field."
- coach "angry face" ara, referring to eusoff hall football girls.

Training on Tuesday 13 Nov

today's attendance 13. weiquan, jo, wilson, yujun, vincent, yuda, chengwei, mark, fong xiongkun, zeyan, raihan, nicholas yip, and russell. coach came today too, and we wore boots.

started off with a couple of drills in pairs:

1. as X backpedals, Y will pass the ball to him. X will then lay the ball off for Y, who will pass back to him again. changeover.

2. with X facing Y, X pass to Y, then X run ahead of Y to receive the return pass, turns, then passes to Y, and so on.

3. X and Y now face front, and alongside each other. X pass to Y, then overlap to receive the return pass. X then passes back to Y, and overlaps again this time on the other to receive the return pass. and so on. then changeover.

4. Same as drill 1., but this time, the lay off will be first to the right side, then to the left side. changeover.

5. shielding drill. as you dribble the ball, keep an eye on your marker behind you. make sure you're constantly shielding the ball i.e. if the marker is on your left, dribble with your right foot. executed correctly, the player with the ball will end up dribbling right, then left, then right, then left, and so on. changeover.

6. shielding drill. this time, the marker faces the dribbler. as the dribbler drifts to the right, you guard him with your right foot in front of your left foot. and vice versa. changeover. end of drills.

then, we did a 2-man crossing drill. X is nearer the centre circle, Y is closer to the touchline. starting from the halfway line, X will pass to Y. Y will then bring the ball towards the middle as X overlaps him. Y will then send the ball towards the corner flag, where X will cross for Y to finish. only did with the right flank, so this drill favoured the right footers.

then we did a 3-man crossing drill. start from halfway line again. X is on the left, Y in the middle, Z on the right. Z will pass to Y, who will then send a long ball to the corner flag for X to cross for Y and Z to finish. only did on the left, so this drill favoured the left footers.

then we did a variation of the 3-man drill. but this time on the right. X on the left, Y in the middle, Z on the right. X passes to Y, who passes to Z. Z then sends the ball down the line to the corner flag for X to run onto and cross for Y and Z. the key thing is for X to time his run so that the point of release is before he crosses the halfway line, in order to spring the offside trap.

then we did another variation of the 3-man drill, this time on the right again. X and Y are within the centre circle, with Y as the target man. Z is on the right. Z will pass to Y who will lay off to X who will send a long one to the corner flag for Z to cross for X and Y.

finally, we split into 6v6, full field, free touch, anybody can be keeper. "for you to enjoy" said coach. end of training.

so anyways, since i'm here i might as well just say it - thursday's training starts at 1800hrs, NOT 1830.

okay. seeya'll. rest well. God Bless.

Quotes of the moment

"UNCLE SAM! the blue one (skipping rope) and the brown one got difference anot?"
- Cheng "Ah Beng" wei

while running during cool down, i said panda was fat, and he said:

"Opulent."
- Cheng "ah beng-but-ang-moh-tok-gong-one" wei

Training on Monday 12 Nov

today's attendance was 11. chengwei, junhao, yuda, vincent, sudi, yujun, fong xiongkun, panda, nicholas, weiquan, and chris kang was a guest for a while too. coach is still out with stones(?) so sam took us today.

started with 2 rounds warm up jog. stretch. then agility exercises - hops, zig zags, ball pushing, etc. 5 reps. then went into 5BX. then did 5 reps of 1 min skipping. then we did ambulance run i.e. shuttle run relay, but dribbling a ball. 5 players per relay team. did about 5 reps of 2-3 mins i think. and last but not least, 6X400m run. target was 65 secs, but nobody met it at all. in the end we did about 70+ and 80+, never went above 90 secs. not bad lah. but it was a real killer. i have a headache now. end of training.

so anyway, i guess we're all kinda disappointed by the no.s in training. of course it's not that we want to force you to be around (actually, deep down inside, that would be ideal!), but at least to let junhao know that you're not coming, so we won't be like, "let's wait a while more, maybe more will turn up." see, sudi so on, just now declare he's not coming tmr, but i tell you ah sud, you better bring your gear and make sure you finish your project before 1830hrs!

alrighty then. see you guys in school/on the pitch/track.

God Bless!

P.S. we might be getting a 50% subsidy for the KL trip! cos vincent is a horny bugger.

Quote of the moment

so we were all stroking the ball around, waiting for the match to start. ara started going around to the individual players and telling them which position they were gonna start in - keeper, defender, midfielder, striker, substitute, ball picker. then the referee blew the whistle, and we started shouting 'starting eleven!' and then he asked:

"eh, just now that one is the coach ah?"
-ze "drogba" yan aka chengwei's-buddy-times-same-pattern

Training on Friday 09 Nov

about 15 people in attendance. started off at the stadium. started with the regular agility - ladder, hop hop hop, zig zag, hop hop hop, sprint off. 5 reps. then we did 5BX. then we did a 4 man drill:

A..........................B



C..........................D

so A passes to D, and will switch positions with B. D will then pass back to A's original position (whereby B is now at) and switch positions with C. B will then pass to D's original position (whereby C is now at) and so on. continuous for 1 min. about 4 reps. then we went gyming. today was quite happening at the end - we taupoked mark and yuda cos it's their birthday. i think. for yuda, chengwei really went the whole hog - ripping off his pants and almost his underwear. lucky someone helped to pull them back up sia. end of training.

Commentary - Liverpool vs. Besiktas

once again, plaudits to liverpool. the english teams are really making good of themselves eh this year... still, let's see how besiktas made them look good. footage at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WY7zizJah8

1st goal - crouch was surrounded by 3 defenders, and yet the ball squeezed through for him to shoot. and after that, he managed to pick up his own rebound. wah lau.

2nd goal - what was benayoun doing all on his own at the far side?!

3rd goal - three defenders, and not one of them picked up rise as he drifted behind them into the penalty area (the danger area for crying out loud!) totally unmarked. and again, for benayoun, his defender was on the wrong side man! as one sportscenter presenter put it, "benayoun certainly hasn't put on anti-perspirant. defenders sure are giving him a wide berth!"

4th goal - keeper cock up lah. catch it, or push it out of the danger area - not into the 6 yard box!

5th goal - nobody picked up gerard as he ran onto mascherano's pass. then, gerard's defender committed himself (stay on your feet for crying out loud!). and as a result, the one-two with voronin gave him a clear run on goal.

6th goal - as the ball came in from the left, benayoun and babel were free. this was still not enough for besiktas's defenders to wake up. babel wasn't even troubled as he executed the cheeky backheel.

7th goal - need i say more? the defender cleared the ball against babel and it lobbed the keeper. wah lau.

8th goal - probably the most deserved goal of the lot. but still, a defender should at least have been jostling with crouch for the ball and maybe try to put him off.

ok man. heads up. stay on your feet. let's win ivp in style.

Quotes of the moment (edited, thanks vincent and evan!)

so we split into bibs, and no bibs. coach gave instructions on the game, and then he asked:

"so pass to who ah?"
-cheng "ah beng" wei

then, we split into two sides. coach said, 'keeper play for this team, the other team defend 3 goals". and then he asked:

"so keeper do what?"
-cheng "ah beng" wei

Training on Tuesday 06 Nov

today was finally boots! about 15 ppl for training. started on field 1 with possession play. two touch. each team had two 'goals'. the 'goal' is basically a triangular area in which a fellow team mate occupies. when team mate A passes to team mate B (who is in the triangle), team mate B has to pass to team mate C. team mate A then moves into the triangular area. after this we moved to field 2, cos there were no lights on field 1.

did some physical workouts with ball. 4 to a group. 2 balls each group. each group would then have 2 feeders. players are A, B, C, and D. cones are x, y, and z.

A....................B

x....................y


........CzD........

basically, both C and D will start from z. C will run to x and use left foot, while D runs to y and uses right foot. A and B will feed the ball to C and D respectively. C and D will then run back z, and now switch sides - i.e. C now runs to y and D runs to x. this will continue for about 1 min plus. then C and D will switch with A and B. the exercises we did were passing on the ground; side foot volley back to feet; control with thigh and pass back to feet; control with chest and pass back to feet; and head downwards to feet.

after that, we did shuttle run with ball. dribble as fast as you can for about 7 metres to line A, dribble back to starting line, dribble back to line A, and dribble back to starting line. total of 2 big groups. each would do about 4 reps, then rest while the other group did their 4 reps. this continued with variations in no. of reps, as well as patterns. e.g. one exercise required dribbling to line A and leaving the ball there, running to start line, running back to line A and retrieve the ball, and dribble back to start line. another exercise involved leaving the ball at start line, running to line A, running back to start line to retrieve the ball and dribble to line A, turn and dribble back to start line. there was also one exercise that was leave the ball at start line and run to line A, retrieve the ball from start line dribble to line A and leave the ball, run back to start line turn retrieve the ball from line A and dribble back to start line.

finally, we split into 2 sides. 7v7, but one side got goalkeeper, the other side defend 3 goal posts - score by putting on the line. free touch. did about 20 mins. then everybody ran 2 rounds, while chengkang, raihan and vincent practised shooting from 3 angles.

................................[_______goalkeeper________]


angle 1




.......................angle 2...................................angle 3

end of training.

today, we finally got our training jerseys! quite nice i must say. with that also comes an announcement - every week, there will be a joker of the week. this joker will then have to wear a special distinctive jersey (e.g. pink sailor moon hello kitty combined) until the next joker is found! also, i forgot to announce that mark and sudi are now officially the team managers for NUS Soccer 07/08! watch out for their arrows gentlemen. mark is quite the marksman i tell you....

God Bless guys. and rest well for those with injuries. our thoughts are with you.

Rumour of the moment

it turns out that cheng 'hattrick' kang and mark 'booby' koh are going to take their relationship to the next level. they are going to be brother-in-laws too! they were spotted with twins today having a sweet little tete-a-tete. "MARK MARK! KANG KANG!" perhaps this would explain their mysterious disappearances during the week...

Training on Monday 5 Oct

today was session with sam. 9 ppl at training. had agility training. high knee lift, jump jump hop hop etc. 5 reps. after that 5BX. then we did suttle run, but with ball. dribble about 15m, pass off, then wait for the ball to come back and go again. 5 reps of 1 min. then 5 reps of 1 min skipping. and lastly, 5 ab workouts - alternate leg, v-man, plank, cruches, row boat. end of training.

seey'all on tuesday.

Quotes of the moment (edited, thanks junhao)

"eh sudi! you got see your blog anot? eh, no you got see your picture on the blog anot? CANNOT SEE ANYTHING SIA!!"
- cheng "ah beng" wei

while dribbling down the left flank, he lost possession when cutting inside. so coach ara who was on the touchline said to him, 'you must understand the options available' and he said:

"i know i know, can shoot right?"
-cheng "ah beng" wei

Commentary - Arsenal vs. Slavia Prague

brilliant performance. almost like how team beckham plays. hehe. but seriously - i also believe slavia prague made arsenal good lah. view the footage at http://youtube.com/watch?v=dd0iAUcJsgM

1st goal - hleb had 2 defenders on him, yet he managed to pass the ball off to fabregas. where's the 2v1? they were virtually standing in a line, and did not cut out his passing lanes. and where's the guy who's supposed to be tracking fabregas's run? he was too far, was caught on his blind side, and even slipped.

2nd goal - poor defending off a corner. the first defender dunno what he's doing, missing the ball, and the clearing header was neither far nor wide, but simply set it up for hleb, whose marker was MIA as well.

3rd goal - need we say more? cock backpass, even cocker clearance.

4th goal - firstly, fabregas was totally unmarked in the hole between two defenders. where's the tracking/closing? then he passed to hleb who's run was totally unchecked.

5th goal - the one-two play was unchecked, leading to the final pass for walcott to finish. remember, when a player you are marking passes off the ball, stop looking at the ball and check his run!

6th goal - firstly, hleb should have been brought down for a tactical foul, but that's another matter altogether, so never mind. then walcott's first touch to fabregas - the slavia prague defender (jersey no. 4) obviously had to go and cover walcott and could no way cover fabregas. so where's the midfielder who was supposed to be tracking back?

7th goal - see pointer on 5th goal. when bendtner passed to eboue, there were 3(!) static defenders who did not check his run.

still, all credit to arsenal for being able to exploit the weaknesses and finish with aplomb. but don't get too carried away yet.

Training on Friday 02 Nov

Had 11 ppl for training today. no coach, no sam, nobody but us. so we went on a short run, from SRC to PGP via business, and back to SRC via NUH, macham A1 bus route. then we played court football at the tennis court with some civilians. 5v5 (inclusive of keeper), 2 goals out. end of training.

see you guys at tmr's game. remember - 4pm, wear blue.

God Bless

Training on Thursday 01 Nov

coach ara is still sick. so we had uncle sam again today. 15 ppl for training. did the regular strength and training. started with agility. the twist was completing a mathematical equation along the way. if you get it wrong, kena pump. 5 reps. then had the 5BX of hopping and jumping and twisting. then had resistance training followed by fireman lift. 5 reps. then today the extra bit was skipping. 1 min of skipping. 5 reps. lastly, we had 200m X 6, full speed, 1 min rest. end of training.

today's COCK OF THE DAY, is literally this SCC ang moh. forgot his jersey no. the cock went to the rugby post and took out his cock and did his business there!! wah lau! weiquan started shouting at him some more. but we kept him quiet after one shout la.

anyway, a big welcome to Zeyan who is a new trialist who trained with us today. if you guys do know, he's actually the ivp basketballer who was playing in the final quarter of the semi-final we went to watch. he's the monster who fought for every ball man! and an even bigger welcome back to weiquan! finally making his long awaited return. but his ankle is still a bit off lah. so still adopting a wait and see approach.

in the meantime, our thoughts are still with the other injured personnel in the team... latest casualty vincent (courtesy of ah beng!)

God Bless guys

Rumour of the moment

nicholas 'carlos' yip and cheng 'ah beng' wei are going to become brother-in-laws! apparently in a red carpet socialite gathering, cheng wei was seen to be hitting on nicholas's girlfriend. upon finding out her relationship status, he smoothly switched tack like a ronaldinho flip-flap and started asking about her sister! however, it remains to be seen whether this mysterious 'sister' will be making a public appearance any time soon... in the meantime, cheng wei will be clinging fast to his hopes and dreams. may he prosper and fight the falling birth rates!

Training on Tuesday 30 0ct

today coach sick. so sam took over. about 19 ppl for training. pitch was really wet, so we geared up in shoes. did the regular agility training. today's twist was to memorise a running pattern (e.g. cone 1 to cone 4 to cone 7 to cone 3 to cone 9), and execute it from memory. this involved going to different cones in a 3X3 format. 5 reps.

then we did the regular 5BX.
1. 50Xdouble toe hop. 25Xleft toe hop. 25Xright toe hop. (total of 100 hops lah)
2. 10Xdouble leg spring
3. 10Xdouble leg spring 360
4. 10Xdouble leg knee to chest
5. 10Xspike aka flying 'V'

then we had resistance (running against your partner who is pushing you back) followed by a fireman lift. 3 reps each. end of training.

after that, we went to play street soccer at the tennis courts. 3 teams, one goal out. after some left, became 2 teams. roughly about 6v6. then when left with 2 teams it was 7v7.

a big welcome back to yihang! he's now exercising his big toe. congratulations!!!! oh and another thing - i made a mistake in the previous post. that wasn't raihan's girlfriend who joined us for dinner on friday. it was his godsister.

Training on Friday 26 Oct

today's account courtesy of vincent, evan, chris, and wayne. about 9 ppl for training today. started off with the regular agility drills. step ladder etc. fun activity - you have to solve a mathematical equation during the drill, and when you finish, must give the answer to sam. otherwise ten push up. vincent and umar kena jialat jialat sia...

then did interval. 6X200m. sprint as fast as you can. rest for 1 min. finally, did fireman lift 3 reps of about 10m. then went to gym. did the various exercises, followed lastly by ab workout. end of training.

so in the end, we didn't play any wargame or capture the flag. ended up at fong seng for dinner/supper. talk cock, sing song, play mahjong - good clean wholesome fun. more of you guys should come next time! ppl who attended - raihan, sudi, fong, chris, evan, wayne, vincent, raihan's girlfriend, renji (ex-trialist, now in eusoff).

Quote of the moment

"eh! mark the neutral player!"
- fong "tmr-what-colour" xiongkun, nus footballer

Quote of the moment (revised - thanks evan!)

"my cousin is fully grown one ok!"
- andy "i-don't-want-to-get-sweaty" ng, nus footballer

Training on Thursday 25 Oct

about 16 ppl for training today. coach didn't come, so renyi helped out. he's an ex-nus player, currently coaching the nus girls' team, and some other college team i think... not sure lah.

started out with 2 touch possession football. half field. then we transited to 1 touch. then back to 2 touch.

4 key points:
- know where you're gonna pass before receiving the ball
- pass smartly i.e. not to a team mate who is surrounded by opponents
- short pass is good, but when it gets crowded, must 'thup thup thup, long ball' i.e. release from pressure
- train up on passing technique. sometimes idea is there, but execution is pangsai (chinese for faeces) want to pass to feet, make sure it's accurate. want to pass into space, make sure weigh pass properly.

then we went into two sides with one neutral team. about 5v5. free touch. 3 goal posts for each team, stop ball on the line.

key point:
this exercise was to train up attacking play. this means width (must open up when you have possession) and depth (must have players near and players far). don't be afraid to use the neutral players at the end of the pitch (see previous training's key point). don't always depend on individual creativity - some is good, but cannot last one... also look for the penetrative pass - passing into space behind an opponent for a team mate to run onto.

finished up with shooting practice, right and left foot, from the right and left sides of the penalty arc respectively. pass, lay, shoot. take turns. end of training.

Check it out!!

sEXPOSE! luke is pasted all over the walls in FASS man!!!! super hot lah luke... hair all nicely in place some more...

Quote of the moment

"eh, today so much solar radiation, how come still got puddle arh?"
- cheng "emo ah beng" wee, nus footballer

Training on Tuesday 23 Oct

about 22 players in attendance today. field 2 was open, so we used boots. started out with 2 rounds warm up. then we did 2 sides possession play. 2 touch football. every 7 passes 1 goal. or if you pass to your team mate through the various cones set up, also 1 goal.

after that we did 2 side football. but with a twist. see the thing is at any one time, half of one team will be running around the four corner flags. this means in the match one team will have a numerical advantage over the other team. the larger team then has to play with one touch, while the other team has free touch. once the runners return, the smaller team now becomes the team with the numerical advantage. so they now use one touch while the other team has free touch. each running group ran about 4 rounds.

then, we did 2 side football again, but this time 6v6, with neutral players on the outside. 2 touch football. did about 5 sets. then cool down with 2 rounds. following which 50 push ups 50 sit ups. end of training.

the keys of today's training - always know where you are going to pass, or what you are going to do with the ball, even before you receive the ball. next, when outnumbered (during the second exercise), stay close as a unit and soak up the pressure, instead of closing down aimlessly and being passed off the park. lastly (this point was brought up during the last exercise), play more direct football. instead of passing around the pitch to look nice, you can also look for the deep penetrative ball to the neutral player who can then knock the ball down for another player to score.

oh yes - and a big shoutout shout out to kola! (is that how your name is spelt?) PhD student (from nigeria i think). he joined us for training today, and maybe in the future too...

Quote of the moment

"I join nus soccer cos i thought goalkeeper no need do fitness training with the rest of the squad, but it turns out not to be..."
- david 'the legendary' lee

Quote of the moment

"The only reason I want to win the world championship is so I can get down to some serious drinking..."
- Kimi Raikonnen, New F1 Racing World Champion

Quote of the moment

"if i weren't a footballer, i'd probably still be a virgin..."
- peter crouch, liverpool fc benchwarmer

Rumour of the moment

in an amazing turn of events, david 'the legendary' lee has decided to run for eusoff hall prom king. despite his various attempts to downplay his intentions, he made an amazing u-turn at last evening's teamNUS night. "i know many said i wouldn't run, but after considering the competition, i feel compelled to at least give the other eusoffians something to cheer about." this no doubt has ruffled many feathers. chris 'face of the year' kang will definitely feel the effects of this latest declaration. his stork is going down man. and russell 'the original prom king' perreira (sorry no spellcheck) was equally taken aback and livid upon hearing the news. "i am appalled at the lack of courtesy from my counterpart. this was just unexpected, unethical, unprofessional, unfashionable, unclassy, unacceptable, and totally under the table. he'll be hearing from my lawyer soon. wait. what's my major ah?"

Training on Monday 22 Oct

today was shoes. both pitches were closed. about 16 ppl for training. we started off with 10 rounds, slow pace. did some stretching. then did 5 sets of 800m i.e. another 10 rounds lah. first two sets 3min 30s. 3rd set 4min. last 2 sets back to 3min 30s. in between each set, we did some strengthening exercises. 1st rest - 25 sit ups and 25 push ups. 2nd rest - 10 burpies and 15 tuck jumps. 3rd rest - same as 1st rest. 4th rest - i don't know what coach calls it, but it's basically a burpie without having to stand up. we did 10 of those, and 10 jack knifes. last rest - same as 1st and 3rd rest. end of training. tmr's match DON'T FORGET TO BRING SHOES.

Sunday 21 Oct game POSTPONED

since i'm here, i might as well just say it...

Capture the Flag

if ever we get to play "capture the flag"....

this game has to be played under the cover of darkness. more fun! basically, there are two teams, each with a flag. the objective of the game is to 'capture' the other team's flag.

each team has a homeland, making a total of 2 big areas (there is a boundary line, don't worry). you will hide your flag in your own homeland. when you are in your own homeland, you can catch opponents and put them in your jail. when you are in the foreign land i.e. the opponent's homeland, the opponent can catch you and put you in their jail. you can only be released from jail by being tagged by your own team member.

the idea then is to be able to infiltrate the other team's homeland, and be able to look for the hidden flag. once found, the game is over. i tell you, it may not sound so exciting on screen, but when you play it, and you manage to infiltrate, and you keep having to look over your shoulder while trying to locate that elusive flag... super high man i tell you!

Quote of the moment

"eh raihan! 中 间!"

- yuda

Training on Thursday 18 Oct

short training today due to the game. started with 2v2. free touch, put the ball on the line. each duo did about 5-7 reps. then we played counter attack football. basically, there are two boxes. red will keep possession while green tries to win it, and pass over to the other box, where all have to run over and do it again, but this time with green keeping possession. the 'monkey' team must always leave a player behind in the other box to wait for the long ball, which also means the team keeping possession will have 1 extra man lah. end of training.

oh and we lost the game to SCC 2-0.

Training on Tuesday 16 Oct

today, it was raining. bah humbug. still, thank God for the nice cooling weather. just hope it doesn't rain on thursday during the game. so we all gathered at MPSH1 once again. which serves as a reminder to all players - bring your shoes for every training. if scared heavy, can store with the hall people at least. or you can store with the central library 'locker' (that has no lock, but i can tell you from personal experience is quite safe one). or i'm sure junhao will loan you his personal locker space if you ask him nicely enough. 0155. outside MPSH male toilet. hehe... anyways.

about 20 odd ppl came for training. started off with zig zag runs from cone to cone. after 2 reps, we went again but this time every two cones had a different exercise - side skip, high knee lift, butt kick, cadence, back track, stride.

then, using the cones in the same position, we had a pass and move from cone to cone, 2 touch maximum, with the last player dribbling back to the start. did about 5 reps.

after which, we separated into groups of 3 for 3v3, put the ball on the line. 2 mins per match. played about 8 matches each.

lastly we had a seven-minute sprint exercise. basically, a relay/ambulance run, but with no competition, and no baton/cone. end of training.

after that, about 7-9 players went over to MPSH5 to watch IVP basketball where NUS entered the FINAL beating NYP 72-64 i think. wah lau. happy for them sia. well guys, if they can do it, WE CAN DO IT TOO!!!!

one thing to note - our traditional end-of-year training trip has lost its funding, so we'll have to self-fund if we do go. although it is optional, this trip is really really good for team spirit, game prep, and exposure. the more you pay, the further you go. let's do one times good one lah guys. GO LONDON!!! PLAY WITH PREMIERSHIP YOUTH TEAMS!! GET SPOTTED! MIGRATE! AND BECOME AN INTERNATIONAL SUPERSTAR!!!!!!

want to dream, dream big right...

VERY IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT!!!

HEY GUYS! WHO WANTS TO VISIT UMAR FOR HARI RAYA THIS SUNDAY 14 OCT??? LEAVE A COMMENT, EMAIL ME (fongxiongkun@gmail.com), CALL/SMS ME (97552894), MSN ME (treeandtoilet2@hotmail.com), JUST LET ME KNOW!!! WE WILL PROBABLY MEET 10AM. HE LIVES IN TAMPINES, BUT I WON'T DISCLOSE HIS ADDRESS HERE DUH.

GET IN TOUCH!!!!

Quote of the moment

"For me, training is the most important thing... Now the players understand how important the training is and sometimes players come to me and say that they have played too much and need to train. When they say this, you know they truly understand..."
- Pako Ayestaran, Rafa Benitez's ex-gay buddy i.e. assistant manager

Training on Friday 12 Oct

had about 16 ppl in attendance. started off with the regular sprint drills by sam. run hop hop hop run hop hop hop hop run zigzag zigzag zigzag run hop hop hop run ladder run to the end. did 5 reps. DON'T FORGET THE KEY POINT - BURST OFF AFTER EVERY LANDING. then we did the sam 5BX. bounce on balls of feet 50 times, bounce on left/right foot 25 times each, 360 spinning jump left and right 5 times each, reach for the sky 10 times, etc etc. then we did a cute drill. 5 in a row. one whistle run to side A; two whistles run to side B. so started off with simply hopping from one side to the other, then progressed to facing funny directions, and finally to hopping in a circle. COCKS OF THE DAY have to go to junhao and fong xiongkun. one was the only fella to go in the wrong direction (good distraction mark!) and the other was the only one to fall down (raihan - why you never come and learn how to dive?!)

then progressed to gym. this week's exercises were bench press, power clean, bending down on each foot, leg circuit, and squats with weights. sorry i don't have the exact names. and of course followed by our favourite ab workout which had us grunting like a mass sausage orgy. end of training.

another COCK OF THE DAY has to go to previous prize winner chengwee. he was being a cock, so junhao whipped him with a towel and fong xiongkun kicked him in the hamstring. then chengwee ran towards H and asked for help - and then H slapped in the upper arm. WHAT A COCK!

Question of the moment...

"Eh, who haven't pay money yet ah?!" - junhao

Quote of the moment...

"everyone is human, everyone has frailties, and everyone makes mistakes... sometimes players go through a bad spell and have bad games, but you have to have belief, trust, and faith in your squad..." - steve mclaren, england manager

Training on Thursday 11 Oct

today there were about 16 ppl, including 3 keepers in training. we started off with 3 groups of 4. the four would pass around in a grid. upon the whistle, they would leave the ball and run to the next grid. did about 3 reps. then we did another 3 reps, but this time, upon whistle one would play a long ball to the next grid, and the passing would continue from there. then we did another 3 reps, this time we would pass the ball among each other along the way to the next grid. all this while, coach would be taking the keepers.

then, we split into groups of 3. we played one long ball, one short ball. C long ball to A, A short pass to B, B long ball to C, C short ball to A, A long ball to B... you get the drift. keepers continued with coach.

then we played two sides. 4v4. 2 touch. half field. the javelin was playing with us too. it hit junhao, but i think it rebounded off his thick skin. while 2 teams played, the other ran around the 4 corner flags. 65 seconds. one lap change. total we did about 4 laps i think. keepers did not have to run as coach would work with them for the 65 seconds - but i think nicholas may have ran once or twice.

then we finished off with crossing and finishing. two lines on either side of the posts. upon whistle, the first player in each line would run behind the goalpost, switching positions. one would then sling a cross field (only half the pitch lah) pass to the other player, continue running, and finish. did about 12 reps. the key was to keep the passing sharp, and on the ground. "with no pressure, and all the time in the world, i want to see some goals!" end of training.

An open letter to the unsung heroes...

Hi guys. congrats on the win today against tampines (4-1). however, this letter is to the unused subs.

dear guys. thank you for being there for us. i have been an unused sub before too, and i do know how it feels. there was a time when i was even challenging for a place on the subs bench, as sometimes there is a limit on the no. of available substitutes a team can have. once again, i want to to thank you all for being there for us. it gives us, or at least me, a sense of comfort and security, knowing that at any time, someone capable can replace me or any other player, and continue fighting for the team. at the risk of sounding preachy, i just want to encourage you guys - continue training hard and fight for your place. if not this year, then the next. every experience and training now puts you in stead for the present and the future as well. it would also be good if the other players who did not make it past the trials continue to give it a shot again next year. tryouts are not a once-off event.

so my fellow team-mates, i salute you, i appreciate you, i thank you.

God Bless.

Question of the moment

"how come coach's face today so black?"
- confidential

Quote of the Moment

"Football is a science, as much as an art..."
- unknown

Training on Friday 05 Oct (improved, thanks to joseph's sharp observational skills)

today, about 12 ppl for training. started off at SRC. shoes. did 3 reps of sam's sprint circuit. do a header, ladder, zigzag forward-backtrack, do a spin, hop hop hop, sprint to finish. after that we did 4X200m on the track. about 1min20s active rest, i.e. jog across the field to the start point and go again.

then we went gym. did about 4-5 exercises, followed by ab workout. ALWAYS do an ab workout after any gym session, according to sam. the exercises were - bench press, power clean (weightlifting's clean-and-jerk without the jerk), medicine ball throw, hopping leg circuit, and one leg squats. i'm not so sure about the terminologies, so don't quote me. everybody got a 'card' where you put your name, and record the weights that you've been doing for a particular exercise, so that you can increase the weight week by week. end of training.

ok, so COCK-OF-THE-DAY has to go to CHENGWEI. as chris so aptly put it, "he's a walking diplomatic disaster". chengwei and H had done a bit of kicking around before training started, so he assumed they were now best friends. during the warm up jog, he ran up to H, slapped him on the back, and exclaimed - i really mean exclaimed, not asked, not said, not talked - "SO YOU'RE FROM KENYAN LAH! (to which Junhao said, 'eh, you from singaporean ah?') EH, KENYA GOT CAPITAL OR NOT??!" i tell you, i think H really wanted to give him one-times-good-one man... then, chengwei started rambling on and on... "EH, YOU GOT GO GEYLANG ANOT? GOT 30 DOLLAR ONE LEH! eh, why you never join FASS ah? the girls damn good one you know! you don't like is it? you got mid-year exam anot ah?" then, later in the gym, we were getting into groups according to weight, so that we wouldn't have to adjust the weights so often - objective was to lift/push/whatever 60% of your weight. so chengwei was pushed to H, jo, and darren. then he started whining "eh cannot lah, i my arms very weak one leh..." SO TELL ME... is he cock-of-the-day or WHAT?!

Friday's TODAY Newspaper

fabien! your picture is in the newspaper! it's not an article about you, but it shows you marking some guy who scored the winning goal against the young lions...

Training on Thursday 04 Oct

today, there were about 16 people in training. first and foremost, a big shoutout to nicholas the left back who has just been recalled! hope you can manage the trainings...

first thing we did was to do a passing drill. men at four corners - ABCD.
A B

C D

man at A pass to man at C who pass to man at D who pass to man at B. after passing, man will run to the corner that he passed to. did clockwise and anti-clockwise.

then we did another passing drill, aka the four-man-drill.

man at A pass to C who lays it back to A who cross-passes to D who lays it back to C who cross-passes to D. man will run to the corner that lay-ed the ball off for him. did clockwise and anti-clockwise.

then, we did 1 v 1. 2 groups would do at the same time, i.e. there would be 4 people in the box, while the others are supporting players. after that it became 2 v 2. did about 4-6 sets i think.

then we shifted over to field 2. played attack vs defence. 9 v 6. took turns being on attack and defence.

then lastly we did fitness. 8-10 sets of half field run, ie. from halfway line to corner flag to corner flag to halfway line = 1 set. must be under 32 sec. but we apparently did it too well, so coach says next time will be 28 secs. end of training.

ok! here's praying and wishing recovery for the various injureds like weiquan, chengwei, fabien. sorry if i've missed anyone out.

God bless you guys.