A Night to Remember
This was a night to remember, for different reasons. For Fandi Ahmad, V Sundram Moorthy, Kadir Yahaya, Lim Tong Hai, R Suriamurthi and Terry Pathmanathan, playing in front of a sparsely populated national stadium might be the first time for our local football heroes. Yet this could be the last time this “ancient” arena would be witnessing the dribbling Fandi, silky Sundram, conscientious Kadir, dependable Tong Hai, ammunition supplier Suria and sweeping Terry. “He”, who witnessed the blood and sweat, pride and glory of the Malaysia Cup days, will be gone, in a year’s time. For the rest of them, squaring off with their idols on the pitch, and not watching from the stands, is already a dream came true. And they will certainly remember this for a long time to come.
The sudden downpour before the BIG kick-off did little to dampen the spirit of those who took part in the game. Clad in red, Team Media trotted to the field early for their warm-up with Tong Hai, Suria and Terry on their side, while Fandi, Kadir, and Sundram strolled onto the field together with the star-studded Team Celebrities. Though some was disappointed to see Quah Kim Song in his shirt and trousers, this legend was easily forgiven after a hard-fought warm-up game between the two teams, couple of days back, which featured Ho Kwang Hock as well.
Rookie Raphael Wong and “veteran” Mark Richmond (he started playing for the media at an ripe old age of 17) took centre-stage, as oppose to the lack-lustre start of Team Celebrities. Perhaps it’s the jitters of facing off against Fandi, Raphael was twice caught off-side in his attempts to get his name onto the scoresheet.
Midway through the first-half, Melvin Singh, despite his bulky frame, managed to turn and ran towards goal. Finding Team Celebrities’ defenders back-paddling, he decided to take a pot shot at goal, just outside the centre circle. Dipping low and over the head of keeper Edmund Tay, Melvin’s long-range effort sent friends and family members of Team Media into frenzy, and into the lead. Two minutes later, Edmund Tay nearly extended Team Media’s lead as he nearly spilled the ball with Raphael’s attempt, but managed to recover in time.
Beatrice Chia had a major part to play in deciding the outcome of this encounter, having honed Mark’s acting skills. “Ruud van Nistelroy” was clearly tripped in the penalty-box at the 25th minute, but the referee thought otherwise. Even the wabbie announced, “That was diving!”
At the other end of the field, Fandi’s attempt to emulate Sundram’s famous bicycle-kick failed in the 28th minute. Two minutes later came the equaliser. Without the luxury of having replays, it took a while before it was established that it was Sundram who did the honours.
Second-half saw Alvin Ong scrambling to the ground, just after his made his appearance, TWICE in seconds. Despite his “heroic” attempts, Team Celebrities took the lead for the first time with Chen Tian Wen as he came up triumph on a one-on-one with keeper Jose Raymond, but not after he received a clip on his neck.
Five minutes into the second-half, Suria launched a curling free-kick that scrapped the crossbar of Team Celebrities. Gurmit then came in, amid rousing applause. With everyone having fun on the pitch, Fandi decided to have a go at Raphael, teasing him with his tricks as the rookie mirrored him in his every moves. For a moment, play stopped and it was, as if the rest of the world faded away as both No. 7s pitted their skills.
The seconds ticked away. Team Media’s Paul Sng, though had the pace of Michael Owen, lacked the poacher’s instinct at goal. It was nerve wrecking for those at the stands. With the friendly drawing to a close soon, Raphael took the ball down the right flank with Fandi close by. Forging his way into the penalty-box, Fandi tripped (or was that a dive?) his counterpart and this nippy striker earned a penalty to which Terry converted.
It was all over when the whistle was blown after the restart. But it was certainly not over for Team Media. With Kim Song and Fandi singing praises about them, the veterans and legends definitely want this team to go far – maybe then they could then be a little easier on the footballers. Perhaps, let their feet do the talking, as well as their fingers. Whatever the reason, this was a night to remember, as Nazri Nasir could be joining the fray soon, as he watched on from the track.
The sudden downpour before the BIG kick-off did little to dampen the spirit of those who took part in the game. Clad in red, Team Media trotted to the field early for their warm-up with Tong Hai, Suria and Terry on their side, while Fandi, Kadir, and Sundram strolled onto the field together with the star-studded Team Celebrities. Though some was disappointed to see Quah Kim Song in his shirt and trousers, this legend was easily forgiven after a hard-fought warm-up game between the two teams, couple of days back, which featured Ho Kwang Hock as well.
Rookie Raphael Wong and “veteran” Mark Richmond (he started playing for the media at an ripe old age of 17) took centre-stage, as oppose to the lack-lustre start of Team Celebrities. Perhaps it’s the jitters of facing off against Fandi, Raphael was twice caught off-side in his attempts to get his name onto the scoresheet.
Midway through the first-half, Melvin Singh, despite his bulky frame, managed to turn and ran towards goal. Finding Team Celebrities’ defenders back-paddling, he decided to take a pot shot at goal, just outside the centre circle. Dipping low and over the head of keeper Edmund Tay, Melvin’s long-range effort sent friends and family members of Team Media into frenzy, and into the lead. Two minutes later, Edmund Tay nearly extended Team Media’s lead as he nearly spilled the ball with Raphael’s attempt, but managed to recover in time.
Beatrice Chia had a major part to play in deciding the outcome of this encounter, having honed Mark’s acting skills. “Ruud van Nistelroy” was clearly tripped in the penalty-box at the 25th minute, but the referee thought otherwise. Even the wabbie announced, “That was diving!”
At the other end of the field, Fandi’s attempt to emulate Sundram’s famous bicycle-kick failed in the 28th minute. Two minutes later came the equaliser. Without the luxury of having replays, it took a while before it was established that it was Sundram who did the honours.
Second-half saw Alvin Ong scrambling to the ground, just after his made his appearance, TWICE in seconds. Despite his “heroic” attempts, Team Celebrities took the lead for the first time with Chen Tian Wen as he came up triumph on a one-on-one with keeper Jose Raymond, but not after he received a clip on his neck.
Five minutes into the second-half, Suria launched a curling free-kick that scrapped the crossbar of Team Celebrities. Gurmit then came in, amid rousing applause. With everyone having fun on the pitch, Fandi decided to have a go at Raphael, teasing him with his tricks as the rookie mirrored him in his every moves. For a moment, play stopped and it was, as if the rest of the world faded away as both No. 7s pitted their skills.
The seconds ticked away. Team Media’s Paul Sng, though had the pace of Michael Owen, lacked the poacher’s instinct at goal. It was nerve wrecking for those at the stands. With the friendly drawing to a close soon, Raphael took the ball down the right flank with Fandi close by. Forging his way into the penalty-box, Fandi tripped (or was that a dive?) his counterpart and this nippy striker earned a penalty to which Terry converted.
It was all over when the whistle was blown after the restart. But it was certainly not over for Team Media. With Kim Song and Fandi singing praises about them, the veterans and legends definitely want this team to go far – maybe then they could then be a little easier on the footballers. Perhaps, let their feet do the talking, as well as their fingers. Whatever the reason, this was a night to remember, as Nazri Nasir could be joining the fray soon, as he watched on from the track.
posted by Fifteen at
Tuesday, October 05, 2004
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