Thursday Night At Balestier Road (10) - 20 March 2014

With 7 withdrawals (including 1 replacement withdrawing) after the team captain poll went up at 7.14 pm last night, we were left with 8 players this morning. Slow progress, but we finally got back to 14 by 5.33 pm today, including 2 new players introduced by Ray.

Originally:

Mar 19, 2014 19:14:07 GMT 8 Rajiv said:

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Several players who haven't played together much or at all before, so I'll suggest line ups after 4.30 pm tomorrow. I've added a team captain poll. I've limited it to those who have been playing regularly at Khalsa, and have played at least 25 games in total.

By the time we got back to 12:

Mar 20, 2014 14:57:55 GMT 8 Rajiv said:

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With several of those in the earlier poll having withdrawn, I have replaced the poll. I have included everyone who has played at least 20 games in total. The poll will close when the suggested line ups go up, or by 6.30 pm, whichever is earlier.

When we got back to 14:

Mar 20, 2014 17:45:46 GMT 8 Rajiv said:

I suggest:

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I've locked the poll. Team captains are Kah Boon and Ray.

Colours assigned by 6.30 pm.

Mar 20, 2014 18:20:35 GMT 8 Rajiv said:

Ray has requested red. No other comments, so line ups, colours and captains confirmed as follows:

Whites: Kah Boon, Zakaria, Ting Han, Kelvin Han, John J, Hail, Ziliang
Reds: Ray Yap, Steven Lim, Philip S, Sheldon, Daniel Quek, Dustin, Alvin Tong

Everyone, please be early.

Add any comments about the game below.

Thanks to the rain earlier in the day yesterday that had not much participation on most of the pitch - no booking after us, which means more playing time.

Although pitch isn't soaking wet, I must say we do have a hard time controlling the ball. It's either slippery or our touches will be heavy.

Whites came on as victors with a 12-8 scoreline? Not really sure bout that. We slacked towards the end which results in reds taking advantage on it. Coupled with my silly goalkeeping and careless playing upfront, I think reds were hardworking on giving whites pressure.

Good game, great workout guys!
Till the next one.

$2 credit to Zak for a first report. $1 credit to each of Kah Boon and Ray as team captains.

Also, from the WhatsApp group chat:

• Steven at 11.13 pm:  "Good game guys. Good night!"
• Kelvin at 11.19 pm:  "Good game cheers!"

Tough game to do line ups, with several new or newer players, and players who hadn't played together before much or at all.  Looks like it worked out ok, although the line ups probably could have been more balanced.

Mar 21, 2014 7:54:57 GMT 8 Zakaria said:

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Although pitch isn't soaking wet, I must say we do have a hard time controlling the ball. It's either slippery or our touches will be heavy.

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More on the choice of ball (especially at Balestier Road) under the "Equipment" announcements & developments thread.

Did you guys use a Size 5 Ball?

My opinion on the ball is that while the size 5 is lighter, and seemingly easier to punt upwards (encouraging long ball play), it requires a lot more skill to get under control. Under very tight playing conditions (because pitch is small / more people per sqm), this can be difficult to get under control (for some people) and overall game play deteriorates. Stick to size 4 for small areas

Just to be clear: I am fine with either ball personally - and my preference for size 4 is so that the quality of the game does not deteriorate due to people mis-controlling the ball or favoring a long ball game. The irony I've seen so in the past is that sometimes, the very same people who favor the size 5 are the ones who struggle to keep in under control - and that's frustrating