Ztec 8cers vs Frontliners Spartan
30th June 2009, Tuesday
3-3(1-1, 2-2)
0636 Hands - Chan Ming Hwee(FLS)
1112 0-1 Kenny Ng
1551 1-1 Ter Min
1902 Incorrect pushing - Chong Wei Jian(FLS)
0352 1-2 Su Rong
0529 1-3 Algin Tan
0649 2-3 Oliver Cedric
0931 Lying play - Kenny Ng(FLS)
1148 Incorrect hit - Kuan Yang(FLS)
1354 Incorrect entering of the rink - Sanjanvan(FLS)
1409 3-3 Jo-Wyee(Oliver Cedric)
1655 Incorrect hit - Stevan Tay(FLS)
SOTs 16-15
Definitely the most entertaining match so far.
The story of the underdog rising up to the occasion against the best team in the league almost came true for Frontliners Spartan.
But it just wasn't meant to be. So near yet so far. We shall leave the reviews to both the teams. BBF caught up with Ztec's captain of the night, Oliver, and Frontliners Spartan's coach, Khor Kuan Yang, for further insights on the match.
The following is the interview between BBF and Ztec's captain, Oliver (O):
BBF: Frontliners came out hard with a point to prove. Did you guys expected them to play that hard offensively or did you guys expected them to go for the defense instead? What were the expectations prior to the match?
O: We did expect a tough match as we knew they had hard hitting and fast players. We also knew that it would have been a challenge for us as we did not have our full squad there that night and that we would be tired out. We have speed that can match theirs, however, how long can one keep running like that? It was obvious that we were tired out. We knew that they had their runners like Nicholas and Kenny back with them, so we expected a tiring and tough match ahead.
BBF: You guys were without the presence of Sjaiful and Hafiz. Did that actually affected the team's spirit, performance and game play?
O: Well, first and foremost, Ztec is a TEAM. Not having just one of its players there would mean a lot. In this case, two of our players were not able to make it. I would say yes, the team was affected. However, the spirit of Ztec was still alive. We did what we could, played with all our hearts. WE also definitely had to come up with a new game play that would suit our situation. So the answer is yes, Ztec was really affected without the presence of two of our players.
BBF: Frontliners pulled a surprise by hitting in the first goal. Obviously that affected your team's confidence. But they didn't stop there. They extended their lead by 3-1 later on in the game. Did you and your boys dropped mentally after that? And if so, what were the strategies or steps taken to counteract those situations?
O: Well, every team dreams of scoring the first goal. In this case, Frontliners had that dream come true. Kudos to them. It was obvious that our mental dropped as we were already tired. And you know that when you're exhausted, your mind and your thinking would not be working well. The match against Frontliners was not Ztec's best game. We were going too fast and playing not as a team. After the half time, Jeremy, our coach, gave a few words, that really boosted us up. And that was when we made a comeback. We started playing as a team again. Movement, flow, that's what Floorball is all about. We played with our heads and also our hearts.
BBF: Much has been said regarding Ztec's capability of winning every match in the league. However, you guys almost lost in this particular match but in the end, emerged strong and manage to grab a point a piece. Is it right for BBF to say that the confidence that you guys have as a team has, to a certain level, been dampened after this match? How will this draw affect your team?
O: Well, it is true that the morale of the players after this match has been a little dampened. Which team wouldn't feel that way? But this will NEVER keep us down. We may feel down for awhile, but I know my guys, and I believe in them. This is just a wake up call and a trigger that would make us come back roaring louder than ever. Ztec will never want a repeat of what happened. And we will NOT allow it to repeat itself. Individual players in Ztec are good, but put us together and Ztec becomes a team that is a force to reckon with. We will perform again. This will not hold us down.
BBF: Last but not least, who do you think should be voted as the man of the match for team Frontliners? And why?
O: Man of the Match would definitely, in my opinion got to Kenny. I believe He was the one running the most. His speed and Good positioning was reason of Ztec having a hard time due to fatigue. His presence was truly felt. Great job Kenny. Awesome runs.
The following is the interview between BBF and Frontliners Spartan's coach, Khor Kuan Yang (KY):
BBF: Going up against a team like Ztec is never easy. What more when the odds are against you. What was the strategy that you came up with to play against a team like that?
KY: One word, Gamble (laughs). Gamble with some tight defending from the first line, with one lone forward harassing their defender; gamble with counter attacks by supplying long ball; gamble again with the second line with our speedy forwards to get some goals.
BBF: Obviously, your strategy worked for you since you guys banked in the first goal and later on, led by 3-1. Do you think the gamble your team took paid off OR do you think Ztec wasn't at their best? What do you think was Ztec main weak link in this particular match that has helped you guys earned the draw?
KY: Weak line? Do they have one (laughs)? I believe there were several elements that determine the result for the match. Sjaiful and Hadfiz's absence certainly played a part as Ztec had less rotation in defence which resulted in offensive players like Ter Min dropping down to fill the void; their finishing was pretty off on that night, fortunate for us, especially the close range ones; and I was banking they would start slow like they did in our previous friendly, and press them early on.
On our side, I tried and get the players' mind set correct and urged them to put on a fight against Ztec. Which they did. Especially in defence, the defending although at times desperate but they showed more discipline in tracking back and keeping it as tight as possible compared to the previous match. All this, adding on to our gamble have contributed to the result.
BBF: You guys led... twice! 1-0 and then 3-1. But eventually, succumbed to Ztec's attacking forces and ended up gaining a draw instead. As a coach, are you upset with the results when you're this close from clinching a win from a team like Ztec? What do you think went wrong?
KY: I would say we led a bit too early. It was just 5 minutes into the second half, and against Ztec, it would be a bit too dangerous to drop down too deep, so we continued to press on, but this time it just didn't work out like the first half. How I wish the game would have ended when we scored the third (laughs).
The consecutive sending offs later on certain didn't help and there were a lot tired legs on the court. Some were pretty dubious and frustrating, but that is the nature of the game, these are things that you cannot control so we move on and thankfullly, we managed to held on for the draw.
Upset? No at all.
It was a gamble from the start. You gain some, you lose some. 3 goals was totally out of the blue and way above expectation. Although it was a bit disappointing, but I am still happy with the draw nevertheless.
BBF: Your team is definitely boosted for the games ahead after this rather unexpected draw. Fancy going for a silver or bronze now?
KY: Its a tough call. It is always a coach's nightmare when expectations are building up fast and high, where players become overconfident and lose focus during the match. And I must say, Frontliners have a long history of crumbling when things go too well (laughs).
Definitely a booster for the team, but I hope they keep their heads down and look forward to the coming matches. The league is still an unfinished marathon. Innebandy, UniHawks, FireAnts, all formidable foes. The highest quality of focus and the same attitude and fighting spirit is much needed for the games ahead, I hope the players would give their best in the remaining matches like how they did on Tuesday, and only by the final whistle, we look back at the result. Let the process determine our final standing.
BBF: Finally, who would you vote as the man of the match for team Ztec? Why?
KY: This is really testing me because there was barely anytime to focus on the opponent during the match.
Jeremy and Oliver did caught my eye in the match. Jeremy with his mazzy runs and threatening distribution up front. Oliver, like always, hard runner and took quite a number of shots.
I would have to go for Oliver. Was continuously on the run, and not afraid to go in for a tussle, a pain for defenders. Moreover, tested Sharron on numerous occasion and scored one pass her.
If you guys missed this match, it's really a blow. Wonderful match and great floorball from both sides.
This draw could well be in favour not just for Frontliners, but also for the rest of the teams in the league to know that, the much talked about Ztec 8cers can be stopped. For Ztec, however, it is a wake up call. And will they wallow in defeat after this draw? We reckon not. Just like their captain said, they will definitely be more cautious and furious than ever from hence forth.
Borak Says:
Carrard:
On paper, it looked like only one side could win.
On court, it was anything but that.
And that’s the whole beauty of it.
Frontliners Spartans took the game to Ztec right from the very start. Throughout the first half, Ztec looked nothing like the team they were against Contact. Lacking imagination and drive through the center, they gave Spartans too much breathing space. The ball was moving very well in Ztec’s own half, but once it crossed the half-way line, there was only one way to go: down the sides. A Ztec onslaught was expected in the second half, but whatever magic Kuan Yang had in him, he certainly turned it on in his half-time talk. In the first few minutes, Spartans hit Ztec with a double, and it looked like Ztec were staring at an embarassing defeat. Yet they slowly but surely gained ascendancy in the game, pressing forward and pushing the Spartans further back, stringing some great cross-court passes together. Inevitably, they levelled the scores, but only after another scare when Kenny of Spartans had the ball in the net only for the goal to be called off.
In a way, it was sad to see Spartans ending up with just one point after an amazing fight where Spartans posed many questions about Ztec’s title credibility. Some might consider this draw as a victory for the Spartans, but it is up to them to hit the ground running and show that this wasn’t a one-off thing. And who better to prove it to than against undefeated Innebandy? Fresh from their great win over Contact, Ztec were brought down hard to the ground and given a dose of humility. They now know what not to do in a match against underdogs. This will help them against Dalat Eagles: another team that plays hard and keeps fighting. Will they have learnt their lesson by then?
MoMs:
Steven Tay. What a day for the captain marvel of Frontliners to roll back the years. Each time he plays, he manages to exude an aura of calmness, bringing a positive feeling to the defence, but in this game, there was something extra. Making block after block, enduring cramp after cramp, and he still managed to do it all with a smile. Perhaps a little at fault for the second goal, giving Oliver too much time and space to shoot. So not a perfect game, but an excellent one, by any standards.
From the opposing end, Jeremy Yeap of team Ztec 8cers seemed to get the nod from everyone else. Spending months in the States without much exposure to floorball, one would wonder if this guy has anything to offer for Ztec. Well, wonder no more. This guy showed how valuable he is with his versatility in the team.
With his team down 1-3, he stepped up his game, playing more forcefully in defense while at the same time daringly pushing himself up front to help the attacking line in some fire power. Although his shots were all over the place, his effort caught our eyes. In addition, he seemed more compose than the rest of his team mates even though they were down by two goals. His presence both in defense and attack was a constant threat to Frontliners. And considering the fact that he's been away for quite a while, not bad at all.
He's got two thumbs up from Borak Borak!
30th June 2009, Tuesday
3-3(1-1, 2-2)
0636 Hands - Chan Ming Hwee(FLS)
1112 0-1 Kenny Ng
1551 1-1 Ter Min
1902 Incorrect pushing - Chong Wei Jian(FLS)
0352 1-2 Su Rong
0529 1-3 Algin Tan
0649 2-3 Oliver Cedric
0931 Lying play - Kenny Ng(FLS)
1148 Incorrect hit - Kuan Yang(FLS)
1354 Incorrect entering of the rink - Sanjanvan(FLS)
1409 3-3 Jo-Wyee(Oliver Cedric)
1655 Incorrect hit - Stevan Tay(FLS)
SOTs 16-15
Definitely the most entertaining match so far.
The story of the underdog rising up to the occasion against the best team in the league almost came true for Frontliners Spartan.
But it just wasn't meant to be. So near yet so far. We shall leave the reviews to both the teams. BBF caught up with Ztec's captain of the night, Oliver, and Frontliners Spartan's coach, Khor Kuan Yang, for further insights on the match.
The following is the interview between BBF and Ztec's captain, Oliver (O):
BBF: Frontliners came out hard with a point to prove. Did you guys expected them to play that hard offensively or did you guys expected them to go for the defense instead? What were the expectations prior to the match?
O: We did expect a tough match as we knew they had hard hitting and fast players. We also knew that it would have been a challenge for us as we did not have our full squad there that night and that we would be tired out. We have speed that can match theirs, however, how long can one keep running like that? It was obvious that we were tired out. We knew that they had their runners like Nicholas and Kenny back with them, so we expected a tiring and tough match ahead.
BBF: You guys were without the presence of Sjaiful and Hafiz. Did that actually affected the team's spirit, performance and game play?
O: Well, first and foremost, Ztec is a TEAM. Not having just one of its players there would mean a lot. In this case, two of our players were not able to make it. I would say yes, the team was affected. However, the spirit of Ztec was still alive. We did what we could, played with all our hearts. WE also definitely had to come up with a new game play that would suit our situation. So the answer is yes, Ztec was really affected without the presence of two of our players.
BBF: Frontliners pulled a surprise by hitting in the first goal. Obviously that affected your team's confidence. But they didn't stop there. They extended their lead by 3-1 later on in the game. Did you and your boys dropped mentally after that? And if so, what were the strategies or steps taken to counteract those situations?
O: Well, every team dreams of scoring the first goal. In this case, Frontliners had that dream come true. Kudos to them. It was obvious that our mental dropped as we were already tired. And you know that when you're exhausted, your mind and your thinking would not be working well. The match against Frontliners was not Ztec's best game. We were going too fast and playing not as a team. After the half time, Jeremy, our coach, gave a few words, that really boosted us up. And that was when we made a comeback. We started playing as a team again. Movement, flow, that's what Floorball is all about. We played with our heads and also our hearts.
BBF: Much has been said regarding Ztec's capability of winning every match in the league. However, you guys almost lost in this particular match but in the end, emerged strong and manage to grab a point a piece. Is it right for BBF to say that the confidence that you guys have as a team has, to a certain level, been dampened after this match? How will this draw affect your team?
O: Well, it is true that the morale of the players after this match has been a little dampened. Which team wouldn't feel that way? But this will NEVER keep us down. We may feel down for awhile, but I know my guys, and I believe in them. This is just a wake up call and a trigger that would make us come back roaring louder than ever. Ztec will never want a repeat of what happened. And we will NOT allow it to repeat itself. Individual players in Ztec are good, but put us together and Ztec becomes a team that is a force to reckon with. We will perform again. This will not hold us down.
BBF: Last but not least, who do you think should be voted as the man of the match for team Frontliners? And why?
O: Man of the Match would definitely, in my opinion got to Kenny. I believe He was the one running the most. His speed and Good positioning was reason of Ztec having a hard time due to fatigue. His presence was truly felt. Great job Kenny. Awesome runs.
The following is the interview between BBF and Frontliners Spartan's coach, Khor Kuan Yang (KY):
BBF: Going up against a team like Ztec is never easy. What more when the odds are against you. What was the strategy that you came up with to play against a team like that?
KY: One word, Gamble (laughs). Gamble with some tight defending from the first line, with one lone forward harassing their defender; gamble with counter attacks by supplying long ball; gamble again with the second line with our speedy forwards to get some goals.
BBF: Obviously, your strategy worked for you since you guys banked in the first goal and later on, led by 3-1. Do you think the gamble your team took paid off OR do you think Ztec wasn't at their best? What do you think was Ztec main weak link in this particular match that has helped you guys earned the draw?
KY: Weak line? Do they have one (laughs)? I believe there were several elements that determine the result for the match. Sjaiful and Hadfiz's absence certainly played a part as Ztec had less rotation in defence which resulted in offensive players like Ter Min dropping down to fill the void; their finishing was pretty off on that night, fortunate for us, especially the close range ones; and I was banking they would start slow like they did in our previous friendly, and press them early on.
On our side, I tried and get the players' mind set correct and urged them to put on a fight against Ztec. Which they did. Especially in defence, the defending although at times desperate but they showed more discipline in tracking back and keeping it as tight as possible compared to the previous match. All this, adding on to our gamble have contributed to the result.
BBF: You guys led... twice! 1-0 and then 3-1. But eventually, succumbed to Ztec's attacking forces and ended up gaining a draw instead. As a coach, are you upset with the results when you're this close from clinching a win from a team like Ztec? What do you think went wrong?
KY: I would say we led a bit too early. It was just 5 minutes into the second half, and against Ztec, it would be a bit too dangerous to drop down too deep, so we continued to press on, but this time it just didn't work out like the first half. How I wish the game would have ended when we scored the third (laughs).
The consecutive sending offs later on certain didn't help and there were a lot tired legs on the court. Some were pretty dubious and frustrating, but that is the nature of the game, these are things that you cannot control so we move on and thankfullly, we managed to held on for the draw.
Upset? No at all.
It was a gamble from the start. You gain some, you lose some. 3 goals was totally out of the blue and way above expectation. Although it was a bit disappointing, but I am still happy with the draw nevertheless.
BBF: Your team is definitely boosted for the games ahead after this rather unexpected draw. Fancy going for a silver or bronze now?
KY: Its a tough call. It is always a coach's nightmare when expectations are building up fast and high, where players become overconfident and lose focus during the match. And I must say, Frontliners have a long history of crumbling when things go too well (laughs).
Definitely a booster for the team, but I hope they keep their heads down and look forward to the coming matches. The league is still an unfinished marathon. Innebandy, UniHawks, FireAnts, all formidable foes. The highest quality of focus and the same attitude and fighting spirit is much needed for the games ahead, I hope the players would give their best in the remaining matches like how they did on Tuesday, and only by the final whistle, we look back at the result. Let the process determine our final standing.
BBF: Finally, who would you vote as the man of the match for team Ztec? Why?
KY: This is really testing me because there was barely anytime to focus on the opponent during the match.
Jeremy and Oliver did caught my eye in the match. Jeremy with his mazzy runs and threatening distribution up front. Oliver, like always, hard runner and took quite a number of shots.
I would have to go for Oliver. Was continuously on the run, and not afraid to go in for a tussle, a pain for defenders. Moreover, tested Sharron on numerous occasion and scored one pass her.
***********************************************
If you guys missed this match, it's really a blow. Wonderful match and great floorball from both sides.
This draw could well be in favour not just for Frontliners, but also for the rest of the teams in the league to know that, the much talked about Ztec 8cers can be stopped. For Ztec, however, it is a wake up call. And will they wallow in defeat after this draw? We reckon not. Just like their captain said, they will definitely be more cautious and furious than ever from hence forth.
Borak Says:
Carrard:
On paper, it looked like only one side could win.
On court, it was anything but that.
And that’s the whole beauty of it.
Frontliners Spartans took the game to Ztec right from the very start. Throughout the first half, Ztec looked nothing like the team they were against Contact. Lacking imagination and drive through the center, they gave Spartans too much breathing space. The ball was moving very well in Ztec’s own half, but once it crossed the half-way line, there was only one way to go: down the sides. A Ztec onslaught was expected in the second half, but whatever magic Kuan Yang had in him, he certainly turned it on in his half-time talk. In the first few minutes, Spartans hit Ztec with a double, and it looked like Ztec were staring at an embarassing defeat. Yet they slowly but surely gained ascendancy in the game, pressing forward and pushing the Spartans further back, stringing some great cross-court passes together. Inevitably, they levelled the scores, but only after another scare when Kenny of Spartans had the ball in the net only for the goal to be called off.
In a way, it was sad to see Spartans ending up with just one point after an amazing fight where Spartans posed many questions about Ztec’s title credibility. Some might consider this draw as a victory for the Spartans, but it is up to them to hit the ground running and show that this wasn’t a one-off thing. And who better to prove it to than against undefeated Innebandy? Fresh from their great win over Contact, Ztec were brought down hard to the ground and given a dose of humility. They now know what not to do in a match against underdogs. This will help them against Dalat Eagles: another team that plays hard and keeps fighting. Will they have learnt their lesson by then?
MoMs:
Steven Tay. What a day for the captain marvel of Frontliners to roll back the years. Each time he plays, he manages to exude an aura of calmness, bringing a positive feeling to the defence, but in this game, there was something extra. Making block after block, enduring cramp after cramp, and he still managed to do it all with a smile. Perhaps a little at fault for the second goal, giving Oliver too much time and space to shoot. So not a perfect game, but an excellent one, by any standards.
From the opposing end, Jeremy Yeap of team Ztec 8cers seemed to get the nod from everyone else. Spending months in the States without much exposure to floorball, one would wonder if this guy has anything to offer for Ztec. Well, wonder no more. This guy showed how valuable he is with his versatility in the team.
With his team down 1-3, he stepped up his game, playing more forcefully in defense while at the same time daringly pushing himself up front to help the attacking line in some fire power. Although his shots were all over the place, his effort caught our eyes. In addition, he seemed more compose than the rest of his team mates even though they were down by two goals. His presence both in defense and attack was a constant threat to Frontliners. And considering the fact that he's been away for quite a while, not bad at all.
He's got two thumbs up from Borak Borak!
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