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I think basically I can call this a soccer blog already lah. Keep talking about nothing but soccer. But anyway, here’s the full time report for today’s game.

Like James said, it was almost a "perfect game". We won 4-2 in a convincing fashion, but we really should have kept a clean sheet.

During the first half we smothered all their attacks. Our attacking play wasn’t that fantastic, but we got progressively better as the game wore on. Ryan scored a goal for us to really settle the team down. Defensively, Javin was surprisingly good playing in an unfamiliar right back position. He didn’t let anyone dribble past him.

Detong was the biggest revelation of the game. He controlled the ball well, spread the play well and even showed lots of tenacity for the tackle. He was the perfect foil for James. They were like Carrick and Scholes, going against the trend to have a more defensive minded midfielder protecting a more attacking minded midfielder.

In the second half their defence broke down and the goals started flooding in. Ryan got his hat-trick after following in on my long range effort which the keeper couldn’t hold on to.

We were 4-0 up by that time, and firing from all cylinders, so I started to get too carried away. That was seriously a lack of tactical discipline which I regret. Otherwise we would have kept a clean sheet. Hm… Seeing the midfielders stroking the ball around was just great! Finally we were playing like a decent team. We were passing around so well and I wanted too much to be a part of the play. So I kept going up and left quite a big hole in the defence. Haha. In the end they managed to claw back 2 goals. One from a defensive mix-up and one from a free kick. The free kick was really good because everyone was expecting a cross. It was exactly like what Ronadinho did to David Seaman. Haha.

I realised it was quite a bastard thing to do… To neglect my defensive duties. Not fair to Eugene and the defenders. Hm… I will learn this lesson.

Anyway, I just love to play in a team that can pass the ball around. The feeling is orgasmic. Haha. I wish the feeling could last forever…

Once again, while washing my boots, I couldn’t help but keep thinking:
THIS IS TRUE LOVE

These past two days have been like heaven. I was quite looking forward to this weekend because I had two field matches lined up.

The first match was on Sat with Marvin’s friends who needed an extra pair of legs. I relished the opportunity to play striker for them. Although it was not exactly a very efficient display from me, there were some occasional flashes of brilliance. Such as the one where I stopped a high ball dead with my control and made enough room to send my strike partner through for a one-on-one with the keeper. Too bad he was too kanchiong and missed it. It was just fun to be striker for one day. In the end I chalked up 1 goal and 1 assist. It should have been more but I was too selfless when I should have been more selfish. I think I play too much Winning Eleven. In the game I always like to score the perfect goal ie Arsenal style pass into the net. Kept trying to create a tap in for my teammates when I should have just taken the shot.

Anyway during the second half it started raining. It was yet another new experience for me! Playing in the rain really sucks. I didn’t expect the water to get into my eyes so easily. It was like diving underwater in the swimming pool and opening your eyes. It’s lucky I didn’t get any eye infection. It was a thunderstorm. I was a bit concerned that someone would get struck by lightning but the referee waved for play to continue, which was curiously bizarre. The pitch was totally flooded. You’d kick the ball and it would get stuck in the water. It really was an unique experience but one that totally SUCKED! I was quite disgusted and subbed myself off. Haha. My team later managed to score in the confusion to make it a 5-4 win. How the guy scored remains a subject of bewilderment to me.

Today’s match. Well well. What can I say? So many points to talk about! It was such an eventful match that definitely lived up to expectation. Just before the match I observed that Ser Hwee’s team was at full strength. Their defence was quite scary because they had some players whom I admired greatly, such as Tia and Mervyn the legendary SAJC leftback. Haha.

After our warm up, James gathered us into a circle and delivered the game plan. Then he started naming the starters. There was such an air of excitement and expectancy! As promised, I would get to play striker for one half.

The first half didn’t really go well for us in terms of tactical advantage. We were pushed back deep inside our own half and had to soak ups loads of pressure. I totally regretted playing as striker because I hardly got a whiff of the ball. Even when I had the ball they closed me down so fast I hardly had time to react. Haha. Oh well. You can say I was a spectator for most of the half and faded into obscurity. Detong later commented that I “looked lost”.

The defence was bravely repelling all the attacks but in the end it was too much for them I guess. Too many corners were conceded and they lost their nerves. We let in two gay goals that just trickled behind the line. It makes me wonder now what difference I would have made if I had started at centre back to guide the inexperienced duo of Wenxuan and Detong. I guess it’s a moot point now.

During half time all the guys looked so downcast. Everyone was so downcast. You can just feel the aura and the body language. Most of them looked like they were in shock. I tried to cheer everyone up but I guess I don’t have that many jokes up my sleeve. Haha.

As promised to James, I switched back to centre back during the second half. But not without complaints first lah! Haha. What can I say? Immediately, I felt so at home. This was MY TERRITORY! It gave me so much confidence and I immediately settled in doing the normal stuff I do - organising my defence, shouting encouragement and, well, generally making a lot of noise. Suffice to say I made my presence felt! Lol.

To my great satisfaction, I won every header I went for. It was a very rewarding feeling for me because while playing in China I constantly mis-timed the header. It really is about confidence. The backline looked solid and more confident. The whole atmosphere of the match just changed for the better I guess. It became us who were applying the pressure and keeping them in their own half. We James and co split their defence on a number of occassions and we had some decent chances but failed to make them pay. That would later cost us dearly.

The floodgates suddenly opened for them. They scored two or three goals in quick succession. We were stunned. I thought I had been doing a good job of motivating everyone but on that occasion I couldn’t even begin to find any words of encouragement.

But all in all I think it was a good experience for everyone to play with such good opponents. I’m proud that even though we were trailing a few goals, no one ever gave up. Everyone was still chasing for every ball. It shows that even though we were tired or don’t have the technique, we have the attitude. That’s what made it enjoyable even though we lost. Can you imagine if no one wanted to contest for the ball because they were tired?

I’m sure there was a lot we learnt as individuals and as a team. I, for example, should just stick to playing centre back where my influence is the greatest. Haha.

Took a bus up the mountain called Owakudani.

Owakudani is the area around a crater created in the last eruption of Mount Hakone 3000 years ago. Sulfurous fumes, hot springs and hot rivers can be experienced on a walk around the area. Eggs, boiled in the naturally hot waters, are said to prolong one’s life by seven years and are readily available for sale.

Met some chiobus on the bus. Joyce managed to do a secret snapshot while pretending to take Dennis and Javin. We all wanted to take pictures with them after we got off the bus but we didn’t have the guts to ask so we dilly-dallied until they disappeared. We then agreed to ask them when we see them at the top of the mountain. But we never saw them again… =( I prefered the one in the centre while Dennis and Javin liked the one on the right. Too bad she’s covered by the seat =p

The mountain is actually a vulcano famous for the black eggs which they cook in the sulphur. Eating one egg is believed to extend your life by seven years. Eating two eggs has the reverse effect. Well, I ate one the other time I came Japan. And I ate around 2-3 eggs this time ’round. So does that make me a potential 100 year old? Haha.

After the mountain, we went down to Lake Arachi to take the pirate ship. YARRRRGH!

It was so windy that we couldn’t take it after a while and had to go below deck.

We got off at the far bank to take a look around.

So after that we went to check out from the hotel and headed back to Tokyo!

On our way back from Hakone it was still early evening so Joyce took us to this Shimokitazawa Street. It’s something like Bugis Street. Clothes and such but we didn’t buy anything except Peiqi’s (Joyce’s roommate) birthday cake because we were planning a little surprise celebration for her =)

Actually we wanted to light the candles then switch off the lights and say got blackout then ask her come in. But we cocked up cos the laptop was still switching off then suddenly got the windows switching off chime. =s We were too dumb and she was too smart to be surprised. Haha. Oh well.

We left the house quite early to take the train to Hakone. The ride was about 2 hours and we slept all the way.

We reached the Hakone station close to lunch time so we headed to a soba house to try the aforementioned famed dish. The weather was already freaking cold because it was a mountainous region so I opted for hot soba. Dennis and Javin opted for cold soba “because it’s nice!” The freaks. I was quite impressed with the arty deco of the place. It’s simple and it looks nice. Subtle but yet radical. I can’t seem to find the correct vocabulary when I want to describe the “Jap” feeling.

We walked around the area a bit and ran across this bridge with sakura trees flanking it. I was quite excited because it was our first sighting of sakura in Hakone, so I took more pics.

We found our way to the hotel to check in and rest for a while. Javin couldn’t wait and had a cosplay session.

The view from our hotel room.

Went for some sight seeing after we put down our things but we didn’t stray too far from the hotel.

But we still got caught in the rain! We were running from cover to cover when the rain got lighter.

Dinner was excellent! It was the kind of set meal they usually serve you during a tour but this one was much more well done. So many flavours to try. I was at a lost as to what to eat. The variety was overwhelming.

The highlight was the day was the onsen, or hot springs, which we went for after dinner. I’d been looking forward to it ever since we were at the planning stage of the trip! Well, it was much hotter than I remembered! But we lasted a shorter time than we expected because it was quite buay tahan to go inside for too long. Well obviously I don’t have pictures to show for this one. And what do you want to see anyway?!?

Javin and I decided to go try on the robes.

Some time into the night it started snowing heavily. Javin couldn’t resist himself and got dressed to go down. His enthusiasm spread quickly to the others and before I knew it, we were having a snow fight downstairs! It was cold, but damn fun as we started stuffing snow down each others’ necks. I’m not the revenge seeking type so I just stood there to watch as they chased each other around like children. Haha. It was damn fun, especially for Dennis as he’d never seen snow before.

After everything settled down we went back to our room to play cards and drink beer. As usual, I konked out first so I went to sleep. Halfway through my sleep I heard the window being opened. I think Dennis was doing a forfeit because he lost. They made him strip and stand in front of the open window! Must have been damn cold. Haha.

The trip started off with a bang as I met a chiobu on the plane! It was my good luck and fate I guess. I had just settled down in my seat when I saw this girl coming down the aisle.

I was thinking, “Wha! Chiobu sia! Shiok.”

There was a “movie” moment when we locked eyes. Haha. Can you feel the electricity pulsing through the air? I thought she was going to pass me by, but the next thing I knew she was asking me to help her lift her luggage into the storage compartment above. My barometer shot through the roof when the next thing she did was to settle into the seat beside me! Haha.

She looked young, so I just casually asked whether she was going to Japan to study. Turned out that she was, and the conversation kicked off from there. She’s an naturalised American currently studying in Texas University. She’s in Japan for a 3.5 month exchange programme. Pretty cool. I’d love to do something like that if I had the chance. She was also born in China before going overseas. Pretty same life story as mine =)

Anyway, at the end of the trip we exchanged emails to keep in contact.

And he slots it in for an unexpected early lead! Extraordinary!

When I arrived I had to wait for my cousin Joyce who was supposed to come fetch me. She was late because something cropped up with the train. Some foreign object on the tracks. Maybe someone committed suicide or some animal. Shrug.

Went straight to Akihabara to meet Javin and Dennis, who had arrived earlier from Singapore. They’d already visited Ueno Park and Asakusa.

Akihabara is the geek district, where they sell all the latest electronics, gadgets and manga stuff. We put my luggage into a locker, which they have in all stations, and proceeded to look around. Browsed through shops with Gundam models, big breasted plastic girl models, authentic looking gun models, and even Star Wars models.

We had our first meal at a sushi bar, where I was reluctantly persuaded to try unagi sushi. Tasted surprisingly good!

Shopped around some more until it was dinner time. We proceeded to Shinjuku, which functions like a Jurong East interchange, except that it’s 1000 times cooler, bigger and more happening. Met Joyce’s friends for dinner at a ramen shop. Hm… Not too many chiobus though. Haha.

We were already quite tired by then so we just headed to Joyce’s apartment, where we were staying for the rest of the trip. The apartment was just nice for Joyce and her roommate, Peiqi, but with three more guys it was quite packed. But otherwise it was surprisingly cosy. A place where I would choose to stay if I was living in Japan.

Ground temperature: 31°C
Weather: Clear, sunny
Wind: S at 11 km/h
Humidity: 70%

The field match which was supposed to be my birthday testimonial match was postponed to next week because the ref couldn’t book a pitch in time. Lazy ref. WTF! So we ended up with normal sunday soccer, which was still quite fun.

Today was even more special because I brought my dad along to show the rest how it’s done! Everyone was oohing and ahhing at his control.

“Wha! Raul eh!”

But the jaw dropping move was when he glided past a defender and sent a rocket with his left foot to the far top right corner. Even Eugene, who was phenomenal the whole day, couldn’t do anything about it. Everyone was like “WTF was that man!” Haha. I ran over to taunt Eugene but he said “not you score what”. Haha.

The weather was damn hot and I was feeling damn tired from all the medication I’ve been taking. But I still saved the best for the last! I’m not sure what happened also, but it was a WONDERGOAL that started with Felix’s cross. I somehow flicked it in with my heel on the volley. Song bo! Well now I know how Cantona must have felt when he scored a wondergoal. Genius and inspiration just happens. Haha. That was the icing on the cake man. I guess nothing makes me happier than playing soccer with my friends so celebrating my birthday by playing soccer feels simply fantastic!

Man of the Match: Dad - displayed amazing control and skill on the ball

Player to watch: Felix - has added speed to his game

Injuries: Marvin - bruised shin. Waiting for physio report.

Woke up to the sound of rain in the morning but thanks to some sms from Marvin I was convinced to go wait it out. As it turned out, the rain stopped right after I left the door. That was great. Brought Jeffrey with me to BK for breakfast. Breakfast King is still good! And filling too.

Went up to Marvin’s house to get my letters because I’ve been forwarding my mail there while I’ve been in China. We did all the normal wet weather stuff - lay newspapers on the floor to soak up the water.

My team consisted of Ryan, Ivan and Jeffrey. We kept borrowing Eugene to play as our keeper. Haha. His demand is too high already. Must start charging for his services. Well… We kept losing but I was quite happy with the way we played. We kept the tempo quite fast and we just kept passing and moving. Wha lau. We had them in their own half. But like Arsenal we couldn’t make our chances count and lost by the odd goal. Felt quite lively and played quite a few (tyco) nice passes. Yeah. That was before I began my series of falls. That’s damn suay lah seriously. The court has this part where it’s quite wet. And the ironic thing was that I was pointing to the spot and telling Jeffrey I fell there many times in the past. Guess what. I slid and fell full frontal. My whole shirt and pants were wet. Yay. Then later on while dribbling I somehow ended up there again. This time I slid sideways, glided across the floor and finally rammed the wall. Hard. That was like the ultimate man. Slip not enough must bang the wall also. Woohoo. Next time should put white tape there or something.

Which reminds me. ORD loh! Haha. I still can’t get enough of life outside SAF. Damn shiok. Everytime I see someone in green or with a botak head I have to suppress the urge to say that phrase. It makes me feel powerful.

Anyway, after a while I started playing striker to train for Sunday’s game. Blew quite a number of chances before a loose ball presented itself in front of me. I volleyed it home for an emphatic finish! That felt so satisfying I took off my shirt and ran off to shout at a random person. I think it was Erry. Haha.

I was quite impressed with Marvin’s aerial ability. I hardly got a sniff of the ball from the air. Sometimes he’d just appear out of nowhere to head the ball away. Like use Blink or what. John also surprised me with the ease with which he glided past defenders. Looks like everyone is really bringing up their game another notch.

The biggest surprise of the day was Jeffrey’s performance in his first real soccer session. Maintained quite a clear head to pass to Ryan a few times. Defending also quite good. It’s in the genes man. Haha.