The DRM boys at the end of the tournament
Tournament Analysis
The mini-football tournament was organised in a round-robin league format with 5 teams competing (BSP-DRM, Petronas Kings, Petronas Crown, SM-EP Lords, SM-EP Poyo). We went into the tournament with a squad of 5 and only through a last ditch effort at negotiating with the organisers were we able to draft an extra player in (Leny's boyfriend, Hil).
Match 1 : SM-EP Lords (0-2)
There was a little over-confidence going into this game, we thought we could stroke the ball around but underestimated the will of the opponent. Went down to an early goal from a penalty after Renny was adjudged to have knocked the Lords striker over. We were left chasing for the rest of the game, and though we kept pressing, none of us could find our way to goal. They scored a second late on from a counter-attack.
Match 2 : Petronas Kings (0-2)
Another game we should've won. We went into this game straight after our initial loss and our confidence was at a low. There were far too many occassions where we rushed into decisions when we should've been calm and composed. We let in 2 goals in the second half despite dominating ball possession! The score line really didn't do justice to our effort.
Match 3 : SM-EP Lords (3-0)
Scorers : Azlan, Sainy, Hil
We were given a 15 minute break and we took the opportunity to gather ourselves after the two consecutive losses. We were far better than the other teams and we had to start proving so. Legs rested, we started playing better football, finding space with off the ball runs and making the passes early rather than holding on to the ball. Azlan opened the scoring with a wicked turn and his right foot shot found the top corner. Limin then put Sai through on goal for a quick second goal. We scored the third late, when Azlan found space on the right and squared to Hil who had all the time in the world to put it in the back of the net.
Match 4 : Petronas Crown (2-1)
Scorers : Limin (2)
Riding high on our big 3-0 win, we were up against the team with the best record in the tournament and also the favourites for the trophy. They were big and skillful but fortunately no match for Limin! We went up 1-0 to an early 1st half goal, when Limin broke free of the defense and tucked the ball nicely past the on-rushing keeper. The score remained at half-time but for an unfortunate incident where Azlan twisted his ankle which effectively ruled him out of the rest of the game. Renny who also had a slip in the 1st half had no choice but to come back on in the game despite having to also hobble around. Petronas true to their form equalised soon after kick-off and they threatened to take the lead a few times but not for the heroics of Hairol our super goalie. Then the unthinkable happened, Limin with the ball on the left danced around the Petronas defender with a skillful Zidane-esque turn and found space. His left-foot shot went under the keeper's body and we were up 2- 1 again!
Tournament Results
All teams ended up with 2 wins & 2 losses, so final placing went down to goal difference. Petronas came 1st by virtue of their big wins early on, but the other 3 teams were all on zero goal difference. Our failure to score early on put us in 3rd place, a respectable position considering our bad start to the tournament. All in all a fine performance by the team. We enjoyed the rest of the day mingling with the fine ladies of Miri and ended with dinner at Fratini's.
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