Last year me and the guys (Steven, Boon, Wee, etc) attended, for me the 1st time, a field soccer competition for gals (organised by SMU) and it really opened my eyes! Never had I seen so many gals play soccer before, and play it so well too. It took place at this really inaccessible location in Bukit Timah (the ex Turf City) and under a really really hot sun. Had to get there by cab with cc, though I didn't mind cuz I managed to use the event as an excuse to stay overnight at her place the night before! (wink wink)
Team Pegasus (same name as before, how original) came through their group stage with 1 win and 2 draws, scoring a goal and conceding none. Got knocked out in the quarter-finals by a goal (I think, for the sweltering sun was all I could remember haha). Met Tracy, the NUS soccer babe who appeared on the New Paper too. She looks ordinary up-front, and I realised that one can't believe all the hype in the papers as she played pretty ok only and didn't really contribute much to her team's game. She did score against Pegasus though, but it was just a simple unchallenged header (don't think any gal in Pegasus reaches her head) and she didn't even move from her spot!
Well the great things I remember was seeing this Malay gal displaying some awesome dribbling, pace and trickery, owning all before her and playing better than some guys ever would. Also, I wonder whether some of the players were actually guys in disguise, judging by their size, looks and body…
Team Pegasus in all her glory!
From left (back):
young Sarah, speedy striker/winger
skilful Dayana, striker with great finishing
tenacious Yovonne, team captain, midfielder & playmaker in chief
speedy Shiling, technically adept & tricky winger
nippon Miya, ferocious defender with a never-say-die spirit
From left (front):
pretty Chewy, hard-tackling striker with a smashing shot (plus: tackles brilliantly, anticipates well, runs tirelessly, can shoot & pass with either foot…)
brave Ita, agile & friendly (important soccer attribute?!) goalkeeper
Good points abt the team:
- bothered to make effort to train a few times beforehand
- has a great team spirit, plus experience from the previous competition
- great players like chewy
- great support from us guys
Bad points
- tendency to freeze up during the actual game, making several crucial individual mistakes both while defending and attacking
- trained on the wrong element (street soccer courts instead of field, a big difference!!!)
- not much actual teamwork and cohesion, much less an overall strategy
- lacks goals
One of my jobs was to shelter certain star players from the Sun using whatever means at my disposal (though I was personally wilting!)
And carry them when they are injured or tired or in this case, both! (found out how strong I really was too!)
Pegasus in action!
Ouch! Gals might juz play rougher than guys…
Gals copping a feel
Is that a guy or a gal in goal?
Steven's an instant celebrity!
Thump that ball dear!
Looking forward to next year…Go Pegasus!
