Pride

They say pride goes before the fall, but i was proud to take the stage with my brothers in music as we played some country music for a wedding banquet (for a friend of ours). What was strange about this gig was that there were originally three bands playing: ours, a band that covers a broad spectrum of music, and a house band playing top 40 hits. However, given the logistics and inevitable comparison (lol), the house band pulled out. Actually, due to all the things taking place, our set was fairly short and the other band did the most work. Personally, i didn't have to do much within our set either as songs with my lead and solo were in the later set which were not used. Even for the few songs that we did, it was evident that we were having fun, and partly this is due to practicing and being confident. We actually took a couple of months hiatus due to the lack of a playing venue, but when we came back, it was as if we never left. =) Overall, our music was tight and it seemed that everyone was enjoying themselves, especially the groom's family who hail from the states and flew in for the occasion. We also supported the groom who wanted to serenade his bride with Okie from Muskogee, which was a blast for me since i've never heard the song until that night, but it was quite straightforward.

Tiring out

Another training session, this one had one v one drills which of course makes me very worn out for the match itself, but still good fun. Was on RB this time with J in the center, and we did do pretty well. I gave the ball away cheaply once but won it back shortly, while J had a blinder clearing everything that came his way and was only caught out of position once by a high pass but recovered to speedily dispatch it away for a corner. Final score of 2-0 flattered the other side considering the number of chances we had.

CM had Nat wasn't fighting for the first ball, so they pretty much had the center of the park covered but we closed them down either on the ball carrier or on the passes, so defense was spot on. I even tried to attack by swapping positions with the RW (who honestly wasn't very effective), but I didn't have much luck either, especially when i don't get any return passes after running in with the ball. The session felt more tiring than usual, i guess i'm really feeling my age. Hope i'm still playing when i'm 40!

To our dearest offspring

In the off chance that you'd read this sometime in the future (since the internet saves everything lol), I am addressing this letter to you.

We love you very much and want the best for you, and though you don't realise it now, there are times when we would really do anything for you. This sometimes makes me worried that we'd be spoiling you, especially when your grandparent dote on you as much as we do (you may feel even more at times)

technical skills

Attended a different training session this week due to a family dinner on my regular session, which had guys we played with before. Generally more tactically sound than the other group, and skills-wise pretty decent, so when it came to the 11-aside, it was a pretty even match in terms of pace and strategy, but i think we played better as a team, so came away with a 3-0 win at the end. =) Played at leftback (unusual but nobody wanted to play there) with J in left centerback (as usual) and between us we pretty much closed down their entire right side. Nothing would get past us, not even a shot on goal, not with one of us closing them down at speed, defense FTW! By covering each other, we even managed to make some forays into attack and J even nearly scored, while i scored an assist and an intercept in their half (block two shots and stopped a cross in our half =)). Our midfield was also pressing very intelligently as their centermids were skillful lads who were great at protecting and spreading the ball. By not pressing their CM too hard, they pounced on the guys the CMs passed to, if not, the long balls by the CM would be cleared by our defenders. Defending layers in practice, awesome.

As usual, our coach had some gems to impart during the warm down, and he mentioned that those with better technical skills tend to play along the spine of the team, in the middle of the park, while those with speedier but with less skills would play on the flanks while those who are still learning should play in defense. At the same time, those who are skillful and intelligent with the ball can play in any position, because the fundamentals and basics are down pat. Not sure which category i fall in, although i like to think i can play in any position LOL.

Had an amusing intercept when a long pass found their right wing who then ran down the flank cutting inwards towards the center. He never made it into the box with the ball because in trying to run fast (i had the inside track), i could tell he was out of puff and was going to check the ball, so i waited for him to check the ball and collected it.cleanly. Heard a chuckle from the coach (playing as keeper) when i did so and i ran forward with the ball because there was no defenders ahead of me and ran into their half, still no defenders, and ran abit more with my left wing calling for the ball, before i finally drew a defender and released my left wing and he took a shot (but hit the side netting). Good session overall and good teamwork prevailed over individual brilliance.