Match Preview: Manchester United vs Selangor FC?

Dalat Falcons vs Frontliners 300

Date: 31st January 2009 (Saturday)
Face-off Time: 11am
Venue: Dalat International School

If it is a football match, it would be like Manchester United playing against Selangor FC.

Truth be told, that’s how it is in the upcoming match between the soaring Falcons and the mighty 300. Although on paper, it may seem like Dalat Falcons are the “freshies” while Frontliners 300 (previously known as Frontliners Trojan in PFL 08’) are the more “experienced” team but in reality, it’s the total opposite when you place both team side by side on court.

Dalat Falcon comprises mainly by players from last year’s Division 2 champion, Dalat Eagles, players both young and old. No doubt they will definitely be high in confidence. The Frontliners 300, though it may be their second outing in PFL, are made up of mainly newly recruited players. Lacking in experience may be one of their biggest disadvantages, but what separates them even more from the Falcons is the physique of their players. Honestly, the 300 ain’t gonna be lookin’ anywhere close to the real Spartans on court.

Expect a heavily one-sided game. For Dalat, it will be pretty much a breeze through. Though 300 may be the obvious underdog amongst of the two, it will still be interesting to see how they cope with the match both physically and mentally. 300 will definitely be doing most of the defending. Their defenders really have to be on their toes if they want to keep the scoreline "decent" by the end of the match. It’s really quite unfortunate for 300 to kick-start their PFL outing this year facing a giant team like the Falcons.
Then again, the ball is round. A
nything can happen

Key Players:
Dalat Falcons:
Who else but that "Energizer battery imported all the way from Canada - Drew Steiert. Not only is his seemingly limitless stamina a bonus, but his speed will also be a threat to be reckon with. The Falcons will definitely be banking on this guy to get the goals coming.

Frontliners 300:
No matter how good a team may be but if they can't put the ball at the back of the net, it's all for nothing. That's where Frontliners 300 key player, Soon Khai, the goalkeeper, comes in. He's been donning the keeper's uit for only about 6 months now but has improved tremendously since. Although this will be his first major competition yet, he has showed great potential to shine as a keeper in PFL 09'.

Predictions:
Bendy:
A trashing . No chance for the brave 300 against the 10,000 strong Falcons, definitely a no fight no matter how you look on it. On paper, Falcons are overwhelming favourites compared to 300 who are undergoing transition. But games are not won on paper, and it will be up to 300 to upset the odds. With an unproven goalie as well, it could be one and only the Achilles Tendon that 300 can mount an upset on. Provided they can get out from their own zone and do some attacking of course.

Jose:
Men vs Boys. This match is going to be so one sided that it might not be even worth watching. Match secretariats get ready to be busy for this one! The Frontliners coach will have to get ready a superb 'speech' during the period break to motivate the players to continue playing on with their heads held high, despite whatever the scoreline may be. I'm predicting this game to be like the one which Frontliners played Dalat last year in the Penang League 2008. 17-0 again maybe? Hopefully less I hope. Anything less than 12-0 is a good scoreline for Frontliners.

Spritzer:
It’s a pretty obvious win for the Falcons. They will be the pace setter for the entire game considering the fact that they have better players with experience and physical advantage. Expect a lot of attacking play from the Falcons while the 300 stand on guard, defending as long as their feet can take them. In terms of scoreline, I’m expecting a 2 digit cruise for the Falcons. For the 300, if they can score even a single goal, it will be something to be applauded for.

Player Rating: Contact Bullets vs Firebrands

5 = world class
4 = superb
3 = good
2 = ok ok
1 = bad

Contact Bullets
Gk:
Lawrence Tan 2
Error prone. His fumbles almost cost him some goals.

Defenders:
Don Shakir 2

Lim Khai Sheng 2
This boy has some vision, some nice passes and a few dazzling dribbles.

Ethan Yeoh 2

Ang Kim Beng 2
Uneasy at the back. Made a few mistakes, which led to many one on one situations.

Joseph Oon 2

Attackers:
Sheryn Ng 3
Always moving with attacking intent, taking shots but constantly denied by the keeper.

Hai Chin 3
Surprising performance for the night, scoring the goal of the game when she directed an incoming ball in mid air into the net, unknowingly.

Ian Khor 3
3 goals and 1 assist. Went MIA in the 2nd period, and poped out again to complete his hattrick in the final minutes.

Isaac Ng 3
2 nice backhand goals in quick succession.

Isaac Ang 2

Benjamin Lim 2

Sophia Lim 2

Joshua Wong 2

Firebrands
Gk:
Bryan Koh 4
Superb performance keeping the score to 8 when it could easily times 2. Bad throw executions in the 2nd period though.

Defenders:
Andrew Chan 3
Enthusiastic and energetic. Expressed by his constant pressure for the ball up front and when he falls back into defense, his body-check and strength kept the attackers at bay

Ong Zi Hoong 2

Alex Low 2

Attackers:
Chan Per Yue 3
Some nice flicks for someone with less than 5 floorball sessions under his belt.

Tong Jia Xin 2

Tong Jia Wei 2

Jesher Lim Jian Tzin (did not play enough to be rated)

Keeran Shamoon Shabudin 2

Match Review: Fiery Bullets Stings Freshman Firebrands

Contact Bullets vs Firebrands

8-0 (6-0,2-0)

First Period:
05:44 1-0 Ian Khor (Hai Chin)
06:31 2-0 Benjamin Lim (Hai Chin)
07:04 3-0 Sheryn Ng (Ian Khor)
09:11 4-0 Isaac Ng
09:15 5-0 Isaac Ng (Joshua Wong)
14:00 6-0 Ian Khor (Isaac Ang)

Second Period:
23:00 7-0 Hai Chin (Ang Kim Beng)
38:07 8-0 Ian Khor (Sheryn Ng)

Bench Penalties:
Contact Bullets 2x2mins
Firebrands 1x2mins

8 goals went unanswered in the first league match of PFL Div 2 as Contact Bullets cruised to victory against debutant Firebrands. The Bullets large squad started with full strength while Firebrands surprisingly left out a few of the elder players due to internal reasons which proved costly as they were torn apart within minutes of the first period.

It was a shaky start for the Bullets. They were rather unorganised in the early stages of the 1st period, giving Firebrands opportunity to mess around in the hot zone. They would have certainly been punished if they were playing against better teams.

As the clock ticked away, Bullets began to settle down and the Firebrands were given less space to move out from their own half. The first goal scored by Ian Khor, became the turning point of the match. Since then, the goals started to pour in from every corner of the court. Benjamin Lim quickly bagged the second while Sheryn Ng scored the third.

Isaac Ng looked lively as he came on court, scoring 2 well-executed backhand goals in quick succession. Ian Khor then increased his tally before the period ended with Bullets leading 6-0.

Although Contact continued to dominate after the interval, Firebrands’ defense was tighter and less penetrable after the half time team talk. Goalie of the day, Lawrence, was shaky in between the posts, fumbling on numerous occasions. The Bullets look as if they were going to concede when Hai Chin who was in great form (unconsciously) buried the 7th when she directed a shot from the side with her blade in mid air.

After scoring the 7th goal, the players got complacent and made several blunders in defense. Fortunately for them, the Firebrands did not fully capitalize on that due to poor techniques. The Bullets then sealed the score line as Ian Khor completed his hattrick in the final minutes of the match.

Final score 8-0.

Contact Bullets:
Unorganised at the beginning of both periods. Defenders was nervy but settle in well later on by expressing some witty dribbling and threatening passes up front. Watch out for clumsy mistakes in the mid court.

The forwards were on song with countless shots on target denied only by the keeper. It was interesting to see that the majority of the shots were taken with a backhand, a sign that only proves the influence of the backhand master himself at club trainings.

A win as expected with some unexpected inclusion in the team roster.

MoM:
Sheryn Ng. Ian Khor(3+1) and Hai Chin(1+2) might have gotten the headlines, but it was Sheryn Ng who was Bullets’ danger(wo)man. Always dangerous in forward positions and shooting with clear intent. The goals will eventually roll in if she continues to performance.

Firebrands:
Defenders were unclear of their roles, leaving behind a big hole in front of goal for most of the time, leaving all the work to the goalkeeper.

Surprising left out of a few of the more athletic and older players for some internal reasons, Firebrands’ goal scoring chances were near non-existence other than some free chance offered by the Bullets themselves, yet, they were unable to finish.

A spirited performance, but still has a long, long way before displaying some decent Floorball.

MoM:
The score line was not a fair reflection of Firebrand's goalie, Bryan Koh’s performance. The goalie prevented at least twice as much as the goals he conceded. With practically no defense on court, he was constantly called into action. His courageous dive into charging blades and his confidence in both catching and blocking the shots spurred the crowd into life.
Solid game.

Match Preview: Contact Bullets vs Firebrands

Contact Bullets vs Firebrands

Date: 20th January 2009 (Tuesday)
Face-off Time: 7.45pm
Venue: Dalat International School

For the more experience Bullets, it is a game for them to warm up and test their strength. For the Firebrands, a debut match announcing their arrival to the floorball scene. First match in charge for Kenny Khoo with the Bullets, while Coach Jason Chan temporary switches from a F300 to a Firebearer. For the rest of the Floorball family, an eye opener for what is yet to come through out the league.

Looking forward to see Bullets unleash their girl power, finally a full girls line in action in PFL. All the Bullets are well trained and eager to perform. Unlike the Firebrands they know what is expected, ready to fire all the ammo they got.

On the other hand, Firebrands's only possible scoring opition falls on their strongest line, a mix of young adults and teenagers. With kids amidst their bench, can they find cover against Contact's limitless ammo of Bullets?

Key Player:
Contact Bullets:
Sheryn Ng to chip in some goals against the inexperience defense of Firebrands.

Firebrands:
James Tan to power through the Bullets defense and hopefully make some finishes.

Prediction:
Bendy:
It will be a tough game for the defense & goalkeepers at both ends. The Bullets with superior techniques will fire at will but they have to watch out the counter attacks as the Firebrands got some pacey and strong forwards. The difference in technique, experience and squad depth favours the Bullets. Expecting goals from both sides but Bullets to scrap a narrow win against Firebrands.

Jose:
This match should be a stroll in the park for the young Contact Bullets. I foresee them winning by at least 3 goals as I'm predicting Firebrands to go all out against the Bullets, but their efforts will be in vain (maybe scoring 1 or 2 goals). Better finishing and better movement from the more experience Contact players should be able to see off Firebrands and achieve an easy victory over the newly formed team.

Team Preview: Ztec Phoenix

Ztec Phoenix (Ztec 8cers Floorball Club)

Last Season: N/A. First timer.

Finally Ztec 8cers are sending in the much awaited division 2 team. Not one, but two! Phoenix is the stronger of the two based on our “professional” opinion after a glance through their team sheet.

A team full of guys, all well into their teenage years except for an odd 13 year old budak. The team looks pretty strong physically. They should be able to cruise pass most of the team in Div 2 by outpacing them.

Although there might be a lack in Floorball techniques, but they are definitely not lacking in football skills, expect to see some crazy football tricks, "mind boggling" like what Jose would describe. Get ready to witness Floorball played in a way that you have never seen before.

Key Player:
Adrian Koay. Probably the more skillful player in the team and above all a well built athlete. Highly rated by the coach and the team will be banking on him to lead the Phoenix in this campaign. Big test coming up on match day 6, look forward to it.

Rising Rookie:
Danial. The only budak in the team la. He might be 13 year old, but quite skillful already, and has ok ok predatory instinct. Saw him played against the Springsfield girls and Bedok boys, scored a couple goals. Should be able to grab some goals if coach fields him more regularly.

Prediction:
Bendy:
2nd. Strong la this team. All athletic and tough, should outrun the lesser teams. Dalat will be the impenetrable wall, they are too insanely strong for them to overcome. Silver should be certain la, but Bullets will sniffing behind and snatch it away from them if they get complacent.

Jose:
Definitely title contenders for this years Div 2. In fact I do reckon that they are the most athletic team in the whole of Div 2. I'm predicting this team to score quite a lot of goals this season. The game between Dalat Falcons vs Ztec Phoenix will be the title deciding game. Whoever wins that game will come up top in Div 2 this season.

Team Preview: Ztec Griffin

Ztec Griffins (Ztec 8cers Floorball Club)

Last season: N/A. First timer.

Second team for Ztec in Div 2 since they have got so many people in their club. This team consist of girls and guys who are new to the sport. The girls of the team are the more experience ones, even though the team on overall is still very new.

We have hardly any clue on how this team would play. Hopefully, this league will unearth some of the hidden talents within the team. The team should be fighting in the bottom half of league table. Their boys might prove to be their best bet in this quest.

Key Player:
Leo Nard. The most experience player on the team sheet. A goalie with quick reactions, sometimes reacts too fast even before the ball reaches him. Still, his experience will prove valuable in leading the team and keeping the scorelines respectable.

Rising Rookie:
Gim Hong. A very athletic defender whom has good game sense. Though he is new to the sport, with his pace, he runs and challenge for balls, rather solid in defence and might occasionally pop out up front scoring a goal or two.

Predictions:
Bendy:
4th. Firebrands will be their closes rival for the placing, but I think the Griffins will come out top because their guys line are slightly more experience and play indoors more regularly la.

Jose:
Ztec Griffins to come out 4th, because they have a better goalie in Leo Nard when compared with Firebrands and Frontliners 300. However, this team won't be winning too many games thats for sure.

Team Preview: Frontliners 300

Frontliners 300 (Frontliners Floorball Club)

Last Season: Division 2 - 4th out of 4 teams (participated as Frontliners Trojan)

New name, new team, new beginning?

Frontliners 300, which was previously known as Frontliners Trojan is the Division 2 team of Frontliners Floorball Club. PFL09 will be the club’s 2nd outing in Division 2. There are a lot of new players in this team, so we don't think that they are likely to improve from their standings last year.

Mainly budak-budak and girls (only 2 guys in the team), this team will be having a hard time against the rest of the division. From what we know, most teams are all guys la, only a few teams consist of girls, like Ztec Griffins and Contact Bullets. 15, 16 year olds males vs budak-budak and girls, how to fight?

Key Player/ Rising Rookie:
Soon Khai for both these 'honours'. A newbie - Yes, but has improved tremendously under Frontliners. With all the budak-budak, most of the game sure no fight wan la, kena goals gao gao, his mental will be really tested. Mental kuat tak kuat we shall see.

Prediction:
Bendy:
6th. Dead last like last year. This is their 2nd year but with all the changes they macam new team saja. Somemore physically weak, susah la for them. But then with the new teams joining, the bottom 3 are pretty unpredictable, plus the ball is round, a glimer of hope. Maybe.

Jose:
6th out of 6th. I foresee Frontliners 300 will be struggling for survival as their team mostly consist of girls and young kids. It will be a good platform for them to grow, that is if they don't decide to quit floorball after getting a trashing. This team needs all the luck they can get!

Team Preview: Firebrands

Firebrands (Firebrands Floorball Club)

Last Season: N/A. First timer.

Formed weeks before Youthwave Triple Challenge 2008, this less than a year old Floorball club is soaring at new heights in 2009. Officially registered to the big family of PFA and participating in this years PFL, rating 5/5 for courage and passion!

Players are relatively unknown other than Tania Loke and Bryan Koh, who has both represented Frontliners Trojans in PFL 08. They will be leading the debutant through the baptism of fire.

It will also be interesting to see their coach, Jason Chan (yes, the same one as Frontliners 300) handling 2 teams in the same division at the same time.

Key Player:
We don’t think anybody will shine as they are all relatively new, but from the way they play their keeper - Bryan Koh, may play an important role in their goal scoring. This is because this team is equipped with one or two strong and athletic but not so skillful forwards. Therefore, we foresee goals might come from the keeper's throw out.

Rising Rookie:
With throws like we mentioned above, you will need strong, fast forwards to receive and finish off the move. James Tan from this team seems to fit the bill perfectly. Muscular and well built, he should be able to power through most of the defenses in D2. However, finishing might be a problem for him.

Predictions:
Bendy:
5th. They should have a go against ZGF, guys vs guys. However the Girffins, being the more well trained team should have a slight edge over 300 with their physical advantage. Unless they screw up somewhere, I don't see them rock bottom.

Jose:
This is a tough one to predict. Finally after thinking through, I'm predicting this team to finish 5th. They should be satisfied if they don't finish at the foot of the table, since it is their first year playing in the Penang League.

Team Preview: Dalat Falcons

Dalat Falcons (Dalat Floorball)

Last Season: N/A. First timer.

Last year Dalat won Div 2, so they got promoted to Div 1 this season. This year they are planning to send in two teams. Common sense assumption will tell you that this team will be full of new and young fellas from Dalat right? Wrong!!! Don't be fooled, this is the exact same team (Dalat Eagles) that won Div 2 last year. Why are they doing this? Don't ask us, we don't have the slightest idea.

The reigning Div 2 champions still stuck in Div 2? What the crap! Bad news for all la. Made up of old and young from Dalat International School, they are big, they are strong, and they are tough. If the norm stays, the older guys will play as defenders, (rock solid) and the young guns will cover the court as forwards.

No team in Div 2 can match their brute force, and therefore are hot hot hot favourites to defend thier crown with reasonable ease. The only possible weakness is the clumsiness and relatively slow defense where pacey forwards can take advantage of, if they managed to squeze themselves through in the first place!

Key Player:
Drew Steiert. Fast, strong and tireless. Thats what you get when you have a triathlone champion as your team's forward. Last year's Div 2 Point Leader should be unstoppable again, most probably will top the point chart by a mile. It is just a pity we don't get to see him compete at a higher level in Div 1.

Rising Rookie:
N/A. Not that we can think of. All old timers la, just that you don't see them often in the Floorball scene.

Prediction:
Bendy:
1st. 99% confirm. No horse run!! Even last year's full force Ztec with the likes of Ter Min, Jo-wyee & co. crumbled into defeats in both legs. This year? None is even half the strength of Ztec. They should breeze through all games at ease, with two eyes closed!!

Jose:
Champions again! This team should be able to win this division without even having to go full force. The only threat I see that might prevent them from winning a back to back title would be Ztec Phoenix. However, I sincerely hope that they won't do a "17-0" again as it defeats the purpose of having a Division 2 for the newer teams to contest in.

Team Preview: Contact Bullets

Contact Bullets (Contact Sports)

Last Season: Division 2 - 3rd out of 4 teams

Division 2 team of Contact Sports this time will be under the guidance of Coach Kenny Khoo.

The players are almost the same like last year, in fact they have a full women’s line. Don't play play, these girls are drilled by "The One" and have been coming regularly for state training, play too much you might kena slap on the face. Watch out for the girl power!

Most likely the only team in this division to play real floorball. (Eh, look who's the coach?) At least expect them to improve a bit with all the retention and regular trainings. Like 300, got girls, got budak-budak, hard to play against physical teams with older, bigger boys. And another thing to expect from Contact would be their loud roaring support from the player's parents and NOT forgetting James "Thunder" Looi.

Key Player:
Sheryn Ng. The most experience player in the team, somemore play so long already. One of the core players in the state team as well. Her ability is well proven in last year’s PFL campaign and last September’s Z’Liner-PFA Floorball Challenge, scoring crucial goals. We expect to see the same thing this year as well lo.

Rising Rookie:
Don. Budak kecik. Second time in the league. Got a lot of potential la. Quite good in control, must have been practising hard. After all the hard work, now is the time to release it all on the court!

Predictions:
Bendy:
3rd. They are medal contenders, definitely mid table kaki. But I think Dalat Falcons and Ztec Phoenix are too tough for them, so bronze achievable la. Silver will be bonus if they can draw with ZPX, but will have to see goal difference lo provided they win the rest. Loads of hard work la, watch out for one or two teams behind that can backstab them for the medal.

Jose:
Contact Bullets in my opinion will finish 3rd. Although this would be their 2nd outing as a team but I feel the lack of size and speed would prove to be their biggest downfall. However looking on the bright side, these 'kids' will once again gain valuable experience when playing with bigger boys. And hopefully they will get better as they get older.

Preview: Penang Floorball League 2009 - Division 2

Yeah, finally it is 2009 and the prestigious competition of the year, Penang Floorball League 2009(PFL'09) is on!

This year, we welcome some new face, (Clap. Clap. Clap.) and the league has expanded from 4 teams to 6 teams, keeping the supposed to be relegated Minden Unihawks in Div 1 and pushing Div 2 2nd place Ztec 8cers upwards as well.

And the participants:

Team Names	Abbreviations by us	Club/ Organisation
Contact Bullets	CBL	Contact Sports
Dalat Falcons	DFL	Dalat Floorball
Firebrands	FBR	Firebrands Floorball Club
Frontliners 300	FL3	Frontliners Floorball Club
Ztec Griffins	ZGF	Ztec 8cers Floorball Club
Ztec Phoenix	ZPX	Ztec 8cers Floorball Club

6 teams; 5 games per team; a totoal of 15 games from 20th Jan to 17 Mar 2009.

Game Format:
- One-legged
- 2 periods
- 20 minutes effective time/ 30 minutes non-stop time (which ever comes first) per period

The Games:

	Match Date		Match Time	Home		Away
1.	20 Jan	Tue	7.45 pm	CBL	vs	FBR
2	31 Jan	Sat	10.00 am	DFL	vs	FL3
3	3 Feb	Tue	7.45 pm	ZGF	vs	ZPX
4	7 Feb	Sat	10.00 am	FL3	vs	CBL
5	10 Feb	Tue	7.45 pm	FBR	vs	ZGF
6	14 Feb	Sat	10.00 am	ZPX	vs	DFL
7	17 Feb	Tue	7.45 pm	ZGF	vs	FL3
8	21 Feb	Sat	10.00 am	FBR	vs	ZPX
9	24 Feb	Tue	7.45 pm	CBL	vs	DFL
10	28 Feb	Sat	10.00 am	ZPX	vs	CBL
11	3 Mar	Tue	7.45 pm	DFL	vs	ZGF
12	7 Mar	Sat	10.00 am	FL3	vs	FBR
13	10 Mar	Tue	7.45 pm	CBL	vs	ZGF
14	14 Mar	Sat	10.00 am	FL3	vs	ZPX
15	17 Mar	Tue	7.45 pm	FBR	vs	DFL

Stay tuned with Borak Borak Floorball, we'll be updating loads of stuffs onPFL'09 Div 2 soon. Sneak Previews: Team Previews; Match Preview; Match Rating...... we're too damn free!!

Jom Berborak!

If you're reading this blog, wahlamak, you memang hebat.
Jose, Bendy and myself came up with this blog out of now where.
Memang out of impulse.

Since you've dropped by our blog, hehe, tolonglah promo-promo sikit.
Link us to your blog.
Drop a comment.
Korang jangan malu-malu... We want to get to know you guys.
We all have one think in common I reckon,
Kita orang makan, tido dan hidup floorball!
Oh Yeah!

We will definitely be talking alot more about floorball - what's the latest happening in the floorball scene in our country, Malaysia , the up and coming tournaments, competitions and we will also give our own personal insights of the teams around, the results and many more!
Jose and Bendy are our key pundits.
Trust me when I say they know their stuff.

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Drop us a line!
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