DHS 1:1 Bangwei's Friend Team (The Blacks feat. Louis)
(Keng Yang, 40^th minute)

Bedok View Secondary School. A setting that was apt to clinch our first victory on the road in our maroon-gold jersey. But it was not to be. Conditions were unfavourable with Dunmanians of 2002 being under strength with several key players in trials with various European, Middle-East and Southeast Asian clubs as well as a field that resembled the Sahara desert.

The match kicked off around 5pm despite the absence of the referee. An experimental 4-4-2 line-up was put up with many of our players starting in various new roles. Alan pushed up to centre midfield to try to reinstate his 2B/4A partnership with Keng Yang, Jason dropped back to central defence to partner a supposedly hooligan "Dricsy" whilst new signings Jeremy Kiw and Marcus Teo tried to impress at left back and supporting striker respectively. Banana kick specialist Yao Chen recovered from a neck injury to feature at left flank whilst Kenny started as the target man striker.

As the "imaginary whistle" blew off, both teams started to string a few passes. However, passing of both teams were kind of sloppy since conditions were like a beach soccer playing surface. In the 5th minute, Dunmanians intercepted the opposition’s pass and launched an attack. The ball reached Kenny's feet and he did a turn ala Berbatov and tried to put the ball in the net. The lucky stars were not there and it glanced past the left post of the opposing goalkeeper. It was a wasted opportunity indeed.

As the match progressed, both teams gave the ball away cheaply whenever they gained possession. As a result, the Blacks tried the aggressive approach by launching tenacious tackles that were not short of cynical. This caused the match getting out of hand but it was no surprise due to the absence of the referee. There was a lack of an umpire to give calls to 50-50 decisions, where both teams claim that they are right.

In the midst of the first half, opposing player No. 8 Zac played the role of playmaker by taking initiative in launching numerous attacks at Dunmanians right side. That was our weakest link since Tse Yang had pushed up too much as right midfielder. With lack of cover, commanding right back Bangwei resembled a sponge, constantly absorbing and neutralising attacks from the opposing left midfielder. At one moment, opposition did a long throw in from their left flank; Dricsy was caught off guard and called for offside since Yong Bu Yan Bai contestant "Louis" was in offside position. However it was not offside since it was a throw in and Louis tried to capitalise on that. Dricsy showed his garang side by slicing the heels of Louis, claiming that it was a legitimate tackle. Soon, sparks flew and both teams were heated up.

Dunmanians were clearly in attacking mood when Kenny made way for remaining, supersub Boon Wee in the 30 minute as Kenny had suffered abrasions from grass. The No. 4 added pace to our team and our attacking play improved.

Closing to the end of the first half when makeshift timekeeper Zan Rui called for 5 minutes remaining, a low ball pass from Keng Yang reached the feet of fox in the box Tse Yang. Tse Yang was in decision of whether to dribble past the defender or shoot. At that point of time, what was seen was like a ham sandwiched in two pieces of freshly toasted bread. Tse Yang was clearly that piece of juicy ham as he was being sandwiched by two defenders in the penalty box. He was brought down! All in maroon jerseys felt it was a penalty. Opposition claimed it was a free kick. We were stunned and felt SM. With the resulting free kick, Keng Yang bended the ball over the wall and over their frail keeper and into the net. The scoreline read 1-0. Justice was served. The first half soon ended.

Player manager Jason then started to give out instructions to players on how to capitalise on the weaknesses of the opposition. His acts reminded us of a certain Sudramoothy in his twilight years at Jurong FC years back. We were happy that our team mate cum manager did not dish out hairdryer treatment to us but showered us with encouragement to perform better in the 2^nd half. Main changes included the change from a 4-4-2 line-up to a 4-5-1 line-up. This meant more man behind the ball and that the lone striker has to do the sai gang of constantly chasing balls as well as link up with the 5 midfielders. Zanrui earned some playing time as striker, Kenny pushed back to centre mid as a midfield maestro, Boon Wee pushing to the left in the role of pacey winger whilst Yao Chen was back in his familiar Roberto Carlos position of left back.

Second half started after the break. Clearly the heat in everyone’s heart remained as tempers flared. As usual, there was continuation of sloppy passing from first half by both teams but Dunmanians were slightly better as we displayed sporting behaviour despite several bad calls of decisions.

No. 19 displayed his dirty antics once again which was not short of astonishing. In the 48 minute, he was deemed by us to have handled the ball at somewhere around the centre line. He denied in doing so and kept claiming that he did not handle the ball by showing us his golden third finger, followed by dribbling down his right flank and scoring. We were in disgust as he celebrated arrogantly as though he had won the S-League.

Our team tried very hard to pull one back straight after conceding, so as to catch the opponent by surprise. In the 54 minute, Zanrui tried what Zidane had done against Bayer Leverkusen in 2002 Champions League Final. It was an audacious attempt to volley the ball and the ball entered the school premises instead, resulting in a 5 minute delay in the match as Zanrui had to go pick the ball by climbing through 5 gates. He felt as lonely when getting the ball back as he was playing the lone striker.

Both teams regrouped after the delay. Zanrui swapped roles with Yao Chen whilst Yao Chen subbed out for the reintroduction of Marcus Teo. It proved to be an inspiring substitution as attacking link ups were improved. The triangle of Marcus, Kenny and Boon Wee started to connect though no goals were scored. Defensively it was quite a disaster since many scoring opportunities were presented to the opposition. Moreover, our opponent flunked these chances as their teamwork was not there, with their No. 19 who constantly blaming “Ali” for not passing the ball to him and connecting well with him.

Star player “Dricsy” attempted to stamp his authority in the match by executing various tenacious tackles. All of us knew he was trying hard, but he had done so to the point that he suffered cramps and we welcomed the reintroduction of Yao Chen for him. Yao Chen switched to left side of defence and Zan Rui to central defence.

Instantly, there was melodrama as opponent player No. 8 Zac bodychecked Zan Rui, with his studs having minimal contact with Zan Rui’s left calf. Zan Rui made full use of the contact with his theatrics, falling to the ground and shouting in pain. This earned our team a free kick which was crucial as No. 8 Zac was furious and lost his cool, and he was even reprimanded by his teammates.

Possession was evenly shared with both teams attempting to play their passing game. We were soaking up constant pressure so as to launch quick counter attacks at the opponent. Marcus was linking up very well with Boon Wee and Kenny but they lacked the finishing touch since the opponent crunched in with several dirty tackles with malicious intent.

The opponent got through our defence on two instances. The first instance being No. 8 Zac in a one on one situation with black panther “Cech” Zhirong. Zac had the chance to shoot from an acute angle but before he could do so, evergreen defender Zan Rui neutralised him by using his physical presence to bodycheck Zac so as to prevent him to shoot. Our opponents cried foul and wanted penalty, but since there was no referee, judgement call could not be made.

On the second instance, opponent’s No. 19 got through again and was ready to shoot. A technical foul was executed by Zan Rui to prevent him from shooting. This resulted in a free kick conceded just at the edge of the penalty box. As we formed the wall, the opponent tried to disorientate our wall. Both sides clashed when Bangwei’s friend, the guy donning the No. 2 jersey, was unhappy with Yao Chen for banging to him. Both of them were told to cool down. No.19 flunked the free kick, blasting the ball out, to our relief.

In a last ditch attempt to snatch a victory, Keng Yang initiated an attack from the left flank by dribbling past 3 defenders and into the penalty area. Our only fan on the sidelines “pom pom boy” Jeremy Kiw thought that was the moment of the match as Keng Yang look as though he would score. However, their last man was in luck as he was the right place at the right time and toed poked the ball out of play just in time to save his team.

Time ticked away and another “imaginary” final whistle was blown. The match had ended in a bore draw that was full of stagnant play. The match was rated 4 out of 5 yawns for being played in such an uninspiring fashion.

Oscar Moment of the match: A supposedly Chilean named player " Zamorano" honed his playacting skills once again when opposing rugger "Zac" tried to do his scrum on him. Talk in the town says Zamorano is going to be transferred to a Bollywood soccer club in Mumbai.

Most Improved player: Right back Bangwei. He was the unsung hero cancelling out numerous attacks by the opponent. Supported attacking play as well.

Hot prospect of the future: Zamorano’s Sec 2 classmate Marcus Teo. He is equipped with great holding ball skills as spreading the ball well to his counterparts Boon Wee and Kenny.

Man of the match: Hard to judge. Probably none. Could be that invisible referee.

Quotes of the day:

First Quote: Zhirong to No. 19 "SM, why you so vulgar?" when bespectacled No.19 spewed expletives at our black panther goalkeeper.

Second Quote: Zamorano to opponent: “No Ref, how to foul throw?” when opponent claimed Zamorano fouled throw.

Third Quote: Dricsy in urging us to be unsporting by saying “Dun shake their hands”

Positives of the match: Entrepreneurship displayed by Dunmanians. What more can I say with us having a round of free water chestnut and sugarcane drinks at Bedok 85?

Negatives of the match:

It all started because of the fact of the absence of a referee.

Dricsy showing that he can be head of gangs of New York by committing cynical fouls and displaying a lack of sportsman behaviour whilst wearing a I LOVE NY tee.

Lack of key players such as Thiellery(Cambodia/Vietnam), Benny "Tevez" Tong(Europe/Japan), Wenguang(Atten B), yanZhang(Atten C), limyang(Dubai) and small dog Hanzen(???).

Joke of the day: Mocking and laughing while reminiscing at Louis's Beckham impersonation in the Channel 8 show Yong Bu Yan Bai. He had suffered cramps while attempting a weak bicycle kick in the 2^nd half.

courtesy of Zamorano