NFL Week 3 Results and Table

JAFC Survives Gambas Onslaught

In a rough and tumble encounter at the NTU Grounds, JAFC recorded their first win of the season thanks to a first half goal from Fuhang.

From a free-kick in JAFC's own half, Jerry laid the ball into the path of Feroz. With the Gambas midfielders caught napping, Feroz took advantage of the freedom of space to flight a pin point ball behind the Gambas defensive line. Surging forward with purpose and bravery, Pramod sneaked in between the on-rushing defenders and goalkeeper to nod the ball into the path of Fuhang. Displaying composure and a surprisingly deft left foot, Fuhang placed the ball into the empty net to give JAFC the lead at half time.

In the 2nd half, Gambas came flying off the blocks. Their full-blooded challenges were calculated and malicious, but many went unpunished. This resulted in a string of physio stoppages to treat JAFC's injured players. The referee finally stepped in when the Gambas left back came flying in with a shin-level double footed tackle on Andrew. The tackle ended Andrew's participation in the game, but also resulted in the referee brandishing a red card for the obscene tackle.

Despite going down to 10 men, Gambas continued to lay siege to JAFC's goal as JAFC struggled to maintain possession. In particular, Gambas' goalkeeper's long accurate kicks often left the JAFC backline scrambling. One such punt downfield left the striker clean through on goal, but his effort was brilliantly thwarted by Tim. That was the closest Gambas got to a goal as JAFC stood firm and secured a hard fought victory.

Lineup: Tianci (Tim), Jerry, Aaron, Jerome, Andrew (Junrong), Feroz, Fuhang, Pramod (Khai), Zul, Winston, Victor

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I'm sure we all agree that Gambas' tactics were ridiculous and disgusting. But from a tactical point of view, it worked by putting us off our game and allowed them to gain a stranglehold of the game in the 2nd half. This is typical of a lot of teams in NFL and it's games like these that many of us mature considerably.

I am very sure all of us walked away from this game better footballers. Football always has lessons to teach, and it is those who learn the fastest that succeed. Well, for a start, i think this game has underlined the importance of quick 2 touch passing and movement off the ball. It resulted in our goal, and would have made it much more difficult for such teams to get close enough to unleash their dirty tricks.

Quote of the game from Tianci: "Wah this is the 1st time i ever got 3 points in a competitive game."

Training Update

Due to poor weather, training today will be at NUS multi-purpose Hall 1.

Pls remember to bring shoes.

NFL Week 2 Results

Breaking News - JAFC To Unveil New Stadium After Sat's Clash

As the general public is still left in shock over the choice and state of the new venues this season, JAFC has decided to speed up the construction of their new stadium in the West.

Affectionately named the NTU SRC, the spanking new arena (comes with complimentary running track, swimming pool and rabid fans) will replace all games held at Meridien JC and Farrer Park. All games will be held at 5pm.

Unfortunately, the players will still have to head down to the grand-dame of ol'skool Singapore football this Saturday for the game against AMK Utd as the news has come too fast for FAS.

In other news, managers all over the island have been left shaking their heads in disapproval over the new dive-celebration made famous by a certain ex-JAFC player. Youth players and kids all over the island have been imitating the celebration to disastrous results. Commented Mr Mohamad,"Alamak i tell u la...this new celebration made my son scar his chest and chin! Now he falls to the ground every time someone comes near him... i have already warned him that if he wanna fall like that, make sure its not a street soccer court la!"

NFL Week 1 Results

Season Opener - JAFC 0-2 Prisons

The season's first game took place at the new Prisons sports complex. The field was decent and even had quite an impressive drainage system.

The match went underway with long balls from the Prisons team aimed at their left winger, the one whom they called "Sir". Sir proved to be quite the tricky customer, able to retain the ball well, and threatened with his pace and crossing. However, that was as far as he got in the first half as Nadeem and Andrew teamed up well to dispel any potential danger.

The first half drew to close with JAFC giving away a couple of unnecessary free-kicks at the edge of the box as Prisons started to keep some decent possession and committed more men forward. JAFC were almost punished when a shot from just inside the box from Prisons was palmed away excellently by Aziz for a corner.

In the 2nd half, Prisons started to rely less on the long ball and instead started to look for short passes towards their mobile strikers. This mobility was also ably provided by Sir. When on one of his runs, he turned up on the opposite flank and managed to dig out a delicate cross beyond Aaron's outstretched legs to the far post. The excellent ball did not go to waste as the striker steadied himself to head the ball past Tianci for the opener.

Undaunted, JAFC began to instill some urgency into their play, with the coach opting for a more adventurous  3-5-2 system. JAFC began pinning Prions in their own half but were let down by the final ball. 

This new formation had its risks and was susceptible to the counter-attack. Alas, on one such counter, the brave men from JAFC were undone when Sir cut in from the left flank past Junrong and Jerry, and placed a right-footed shot past the keeper.

In the closing moments of the match, Jerome found himself free in the box after a quick free-kick from Zul. Faced with a tight angle, Jerome opted to shoot instead of squaring the ball into the middle for Pramod. The Prisons keeper dived low to his right and made a great save, consequently drawing a scream of despair from Pramod.

Final Score: 2-0 to Prisons.

Lineup: Aziz (Tianci), Jerome, Aaron, Jerry, Andrew, Feroz, Fuhang, Zul, Nadeem (Junrong), Weiming, Victor (Pramod)

Post-Match Comments 

Coach: I thought we had a good game today. We need to learn, and we will only get better. Some of us looked a bit tired, and knowing that we can only make 3 subs per game, it will be useful for us to not only turn up for training, but to do our own fitness training as well.

Coach to Zul: Today OT ah. (Pointing to the fact that Zul never plays a full game)

Coach to Jerome: I wanna know what you are thinking when you are running with the ball.

Reporter's afterthought: We controlled the game but weren't incisive in the final third. Prison's had 3 shots on goal, with 2 going in. This shows you that not only mistakes cost goals, but the inability to take our chances as well. This is only the first game and we can definitely get better with more training and playing time. Unlike Vidic, who had a shocking game. Lesson #1 for defenders - NEVER let the ball bounce!

Its Good To Be Back

After a long hiatus reflecting on the highs and lows of the past season, your dear reporter is back for the new season. This new season promises greater excitement with a revamped team and new rivals.

SCC have fled to the grener pastures of Div 1 while the ever-passionate Ang Mo Ko Utd has faced an upheaval like no other. Donning the colors of AMK this year will be familiar Jollilads alumni Zhiwei, Aik Leong, Lionel and King Yau, as well as promising youngsters awaiting entry into university - Dillon, Ken etc. This blend of youthful enthusiasm and wily experience (do not confuse with ability to dive) sets AMK apart from the rest in the league and they are the early favorites to be promoted.

JAFC will once again be using the league as a platform for blooding talent, and this is apparent in the team's selection for the coming season, with only 40% of last season's team remaining.

JAFC Team List

NTU (9): Aaron, Feroz, Nadeem, Kennard, Winston, Tianci (gk), Zul, Khai, Fuhang

SMU (7): Jerry, Andrew, Weiming, Junrong, Victor, Pramod, Tim (gk)

NUS (8): Chris, Chengwei, Fabian, Rafi, Daowei, Aziz (gk), Anand, Sudi

SIM (1): Jerome

With regard to the team selection, team manager Mr Chiang would like to stress that JAFC is NOT an elitist team made up of players with big-name reputations. Instead, JAFC aims to provide a platform of structured training and coaching to all who are interested in improving their football, with the eventual goal of improving the overall standard of uni football.

Is this a recipe for disaster? Well, coach Arasu of JAFC certainly doesnt think so," I can guarantee you we wont be relegated! If we do, then i will resign as coach." 

This confidence seems to be justified based on JAFC's recent friendly against a SAFFC's prime league team. Although JAFC was on the wrong end of a 2-1 result, the overall team effort contained positives that would serve the team well in the league - Attitude and Desire. 

Now that the blog has been revived, it would be great if you, dear readers, can help spread the word to the newcomers that the blog will be the main medium of communication for training matters, games and any announcement in particular. (SMSes are too tedious and expensive) You may refer to the box on the right for a snapshot of the latest events.

With that, let me end off by showing you what the players have been up to with regards to inter-uni team bonding...