10 Jul @ Queenstown Secondary School 5pm
This was the moment the players were waiting for. This was the time, where even the 8-5 defeat the previous week couldn't dampen their spirits. Full attendance by the players, and an enormous turnout of support from family and friends just heightened the atmosphere by a million times. The venue was perfect, a large spacious astro turf field with lots of space for spectator viewing, despite the lack of a grandstand. And it was to be on such a grand stage, that the winner of the Champions Cup were to be crowned. Did KKZ have what it takes to win the first final of their history.
From the start, it didn't look convincing, Alkatraz had the better possession, and whenever KKZ players did have the ball, tough and dirty tackles came their way to prevent them from settling down. But on this day, the players wearing the green and black striped jersey were in no mood to whine and complain. They fought hard, and tracked behind every lost ball, not thinking twice about putting in a strong challenge of their own. It was only a matter of time, before opportunities were created and both Haresh and Havey had half chances that were snuffed out.
But with 10 mins to go in the half, a routine team move saw Hari win possession of the ball and release Fazail who looked up and played a perfect diagonal ball into the path of Yasin who controlled the ball with one touch inside the penalty box and took a shot with the next. The keeper did well to block the shot, but he could only parry the ball back to Yasin who made no mistake this time as he poked the ball into the net and wheeled of into a delirious crowd of fans and players. The reason why the half ended at that score, was the stoic defenders of Kamikaze who shrugged off the disappointments of the previous week, and the excellent keeper Akbar who showed KKZ what they missed most.
With a goal in their back, KKZ started the next half with such poise and elegance and showed their fans and supporters the beautiful football that they were famed for. Chances were created at will, and they could have easily gone 3 goals up. But they had to wait till the 62nd minute to double their lead, as Havey easily beat Alkatraz's offside trap and kept his composure to beat the keeper to earn his reward for having put a wonderful day's work at the office.
KKZ had a glorious chance to go 3-0 up, when they were awarded a penalty for a kungfu tackle on Thina. However Victor who stepped up confidently, blasted the ball above the post to ensure that the tie remained exciting at the expense of his team. However, it was not just Victor doing silly things on the pitch to ensure that the match remained thrilling. The referee played a wonderful role in turning the foregone conclusion of the match into a cliff hanger.
In addition to awarding yellow cards for non-existent fouls, and awarding a free-kick to the keeper after he had jumped knee straight at Havey, the referee made another excellent decision. He awarded a penalty to Alkatraz after Prem had chested the ball OUTSIDE the penalty box. Alkatraz repaid the faith of the referee as they neatly tucked the ball to cut the lead into 1 and give everyone around the field nervous moments.
Just when everyone thought the match could not get any more farcical, the Referee awarded another penalty to Alkatraz after Achu won the ball off the the Alkatraz striker's legs. The Alkatraz player once again stepped up confidently to take the penalty. But this time, as the expectations around the field grew, and anxious faces in the KKZ camp awaited, Akbar who had singlehandedly repelled many Alkatraz attacks made his star-studded final move as he guessed correctly and parried the penalty shot away. And that was the moment, when the referee decided that even he cannot change what the soccer gods had already predetermined. He soon promptly blew the final whistle, as Chants of the Kamikaze anthem blasted around the pitch, together with Vuvuzela roars.
Kamikaze had won the first ever final that they had competed in, and with all due respect to their opponents; they truly deserved to win. As the organiser later said, The Best Team Won!
To all our fans, supporters and players, I as the Editor will take this moment to just say one thing. Thank you for being there, in our downs, in our ups, in our moments of uncertainties. Thank you for loving us unconditionally, and being the pillars that hold this great team high up. But, this is not the end. It will never be, for this is just the beginning, of a mission to redefine soccer. And such a mission has no end!
KAMIKAZE!!!
Squad: Akbar Kuszczak, Suresh USPO, Jayraj Carragher, Thina Da Silva, Anand Spaceship, Hariboy Aerocratz, Yasin Scholes, El Fazail, Cristiano Barathi, Diego Haresh, Havey Adebayor, Victor King, Doctor Karthik, Premnathan Kawabanga, Safar Torres, Anand Achu, Neshta, Seelan Kong
Final score: Kamikaze FC 2 - Team Alkatraz 1
Goals: Yasin Scholes, Havey Adebayor
MOM: Akbar Kuszczak
Monday, July 12, 2010
Friendly at Chestnut Drive Secondary
4 Jul @ Chestnut Drive Secondary School 3pm
After the euphoria of the previous week's epic semi-final, the team took a breather to play a friendly against unnamed opponents. However, a combination of weather clashes and field unavailability saw the CFL 2 Champions playing against CFL newcomers Mexican Aces. Mexican Aces are well known in the local soccer circle, and are familar opponents to KKZ having defeated them 4-1 last year in a friendly. Whether it was seeing, such fierce opponents, or still being caught up in the hangover of last week, no one knows, but KKZ slumped to a horrific defeat that would surely wreck their preparations for the Cup final the following match. It has been a long time, since any team scored more than 4 goals, against Kamikaze. In fact the last time that happened was on 6 Sep 2008 when KKZ conceded 7 goals to FC MBOG. However, the tragedy of this match was to eclipse even that defeat, as KKZ conceded 8 goals, in a 8-5 defeat that they couldnt avoid despite the lion hearted displays by USPO and Fazail.
We can sit down and analyse what went wrong, but its gonna be of no use. We were beaten by a team that was more hungrier than us. And this will be the story for the upcoming season. Many teams will be hungry for our blood. Do we sit back and offer it, or do we fight to protect our title. The players will have to answer it themselves, but on behalf of the management trio of Haresh, Seelan and Fazail, i assure you there will be changes.
PS: It should be noted that the last time, KKZ conceded more than 4 we didnt have a first choice keeper for the match. The same scenario as now.
Squad: Florentino Prem, Suresh USPO, Jayraj Carragher, Thina Da Silva, Lavanesh Valencia, Hariboy Aerocratz, Seelan Kong, El Fazail, Cristiano Barathi, Gowthaman, Diego Haresh, Safar Torres, Sateesh Balloon, Vinnie Obertan, Vijay Rakki
Final score: Mexican Aces 8 - Kamikaze FC 5
Goals: Suresh USPO (2), Safar Torres, Gowthaman, El Fazail
MOM: Suresh USPO
After the euphoria of the previous week's epic semi-final, the team took a breather to play a friendly against unnamed opponents. However, a combination of weather clashes and field unavailability saw the CFL 2 Champions playing against CFL newcomers Mexican Aces. Mexican Aces are well known in the local soccer circle, and are familar opponents to KKZ having defeated them 4-1 last year in a friendly. Whether it was seeing, such fierce opponents, or still being caught up in the hangover of last week, no one knows, but KKZ slumped to a horrific defeat that would surely wreck their preparations for the Cup final the following match. It has been a long time, since any team scored more than 4 goals, against Kamikaze. In fact the last time that happened was on 6 Sep 2008 when KKZ conceded 7 goals to FC MBOG. However, the tragedy of this match was to eclipse even that defeat, as KKZ conceded 8 goals, in a 8-5 defeat that they couldnt avoid despite the lion hearted displays by USPO and Fazail.
We can sit down and analyse what went wrong, but its gonna be of no use. We were beaten by a team that was more hungrier than us. And this will be the story for the upcoming season. Many teams will be hungry for our blood. Do we sit back and offer it, or do we fight to protect our title. The players will have to answer it themselves, but on behalf of the management trio of Haresh, Seelan and Fazail, i assure you there will be changes.
PS: It should be noted that the last time, KKZ conceded more than 4 we didnt have a first choice keeper for the match. The same scenario as now.
Squad: Florentino Prem, Suresh USPO, Jayraj Carragher, Thina Da Silva, Lavanesh Valencia, Hariboy Aerocratz, Seelan Kong, El Fazail, Cristiano Barathi, Gowthaman, Diego Haresh, Safar Torres, Sateesh Balloon, Vinnie Obertan, Vijay Rakki
Final score: Mexican Aces 8 - Kamikaze FC 5
Goals: Suresh USPO (2), Safar Torres, Gowthaman, El Fazail
MOM: Suresh USPO
Monday, June 28, 2010
Champions Cup - Semi-Final
This was the most hyped up semi-final of the Champions Cup. A match that would have made a fitting final, ended up being played in the semi-final stage due to KKZ's own undoing when they went down meekly against Alkatraz in their group stage match. However, that was not the only story at play here. The last time these two opponents played, in 2008, Kamikaze FC scored the first goal of the match only to be battered soon after, losing 12-2 in what remains as the biggest defeat of their history. Several key players remain in the team, and when talked to about that fiasco, they would only speak about the pain and scars that remain from that thrashing.
However, things have changed very much since then. The older players matured physically and mentally, several new players were brought in and indoctrinated with the Kamikaze spirit, and new bonds were forged to form a tightly-knitted team of hardworking and talented brothers. Outsiders FC came into the match as firm favourites and were banked on by the punters to end KKZ's fairytale season. The problem was, they believed it too.
Within 5 minutes of the kickoff, an excellent ball from Fazail, found Diego Haresh in his favourite left wing position, and he needed no second invitation to jink pass the Outsiders rightback before showing exceptional composure to cross the ball into farpost, where Thina da Silva was waiting. This youngster has been a highly-rated success story of the KKZ youth academy and he needed no prompting to nod the ball into the net and give KKZ a very important lead in a tough match. The goal helped ease the pressure on KKZ and they started playing the ball all over the park against their more illustrious opponents.
The possession told as Havey's undying pressure broke the defender down, and Havey pounced on to the loose ball before unselfishly squaring it for Diego, who once again celebrated his return of form with a calm finish to send the team into ecstasy. While the half ended 2-0, it was by no means done easily. Outsiders showed why they are the giants of local amateur soccer, by pouring into the KKZ half in numbers. But stoic, unyielding defence by KKZ, led bravely by USPO, Jraj and Spaceship meant that only frustration was increasing for the Outsiders forwards.
The second half started the way it ended, with Outsiders attacking in numbers, and trying to get an equaliser, but the result was the same as they were to find that this Kamikaze team was not one that they had fun thrashing. This was a team, while smaller to them in achievements, was no lesser than them in terms of desire and spirit. This was a team, that brought the forwards of the highest scoring team to their knees and reduced them to throwing tantrums, and wild tackles. Even a wrongly awarded penalty to Outsiders, could not help them as the Outsiders player saw his shot hit the post and come out. This was a day, where history could be made. And that was why, even when Akbar, who had one of his best perfomances in the KKZ jersey, was finally beaten when the Outsiders forward finally managed to pull one goal back, confidence in the KKZ camp never wavered. They fought hard for every ball, received nasty tackles like men and managed to pull off the unthinkable. Final score: KKZ 2 - Outsiders 1! And Team Kamikaze enters the first Cup Final of its history. The team has come a long way, from its twig-based formation days. Kamikaze is now the inspirational story for all young amateur teams. That success can be achieved even after undergoing the worst trials and humiliations.
This is not the end, The Final will not be the end. Kamikaze, we are here not for the victories, or the glamour or the prizes. We are here to redefine Amateur soccer. And such a mission has no end. KAMIKAZE!!!
Squad: Akbar Kuszczak, Suresh USPO, Jayraj Carragher, Thina Da Silva, Anand Spaceship, Hariboy Aerocratz, Yasin Scholes, El Fazail, Cristiano Barathi, Diego Haresh, Havey Adebayor, Victor King, Doctor Karthik, Lavanesh Valencia, Safar Torres
Final score: Outsiders FC 1 - Kamikaze FC 2
Goals: Thina Da Silva, Diego Haresh
MOM: Suresh USPO
However, things have changed very much since then. The older players matured physically and mentally, several new players were brought in and indoctrinated with the Kamikaze spirit, and new bonds were forged to form a tightly-knitted team of hardworking and talented brothers. Outsiders FC came into the match as firm favourites and were banked on by the punters to end KKZ's fairytale season. The problem was, they believed it too.
Within 5 minutes of the kickoff, an excellent ball from Fazail, found Diego Haresh in his favourite left wing position, and he needed no second invitation to jink pass the Outsiders rightback before showing exceptional composure to cross the ball into farpost, where Thina da Silva was waiting. This youngster has been a highly-rated success story of the KKZ youth academy and he needed no prompting to nod the ball into the net and give KKZ a very important lead in a tough match. The goal helped ease the pressure on KKZ and they started playing the ball all over the park against their more illustrious opponents.
The possession told as Havey's undying pressure broke the defender down, and Havey pounced on to the loose ball before unselfishly squaring it for Diego, who once again celebrated his return of form with a calm finish to send the team into ecstasy. While the half ended 2-0, it was by no means done easily. Outsiders showed why they are the giants of local amateur soccer, by pouring into the KKZ half in numbers. But stoic, unyielding defence by KKZ, led bravely by USPO, Jraj and Spaceship meant that only frustration was increasing for the Outsiders forwards.
The second half started the way it ended, with Outsiders attacking in numbers, and trying to get an equaliser, but the result was the same as they were to find that this Kamikaze team was not one that they had fun thrashing. This was a team, while smaller to them in achievements, was no lesser than them in terms of desire and spirit. This was a team, that brought the forwards of the highest scoring team to their knees and reduced them to throwing tantrums, and wild tackles. Even a wrongly awarded penalty to Outsiders, could not help them as the Outsiders player saw his shot hit the post and come out. This was a day, where history could be made. And that was why, even when Akbar, who had one of his best perfomances in the KKZ jersey, was finally beaten when the Outsiders forward finally managed to pull one goal back, confidence in the KKZ camp never wavered. They fought hard for every ball, received nasty tackles like men and managed to pull off the unthinkable. Final score: KKZ 2 - Outsiders 1! And Team Kamikaze enters the first Cup Final of its history. The team has come a long way, from its twig-based formation days. Kamikaze is now the inspirational story for all young amateur teams. That success can be achieved even after undergoing the worst trials and humiliations.
This is not the end, The Final will not be the end. Kamikaze, we are here not for the victories, or the glamour or the prizes. We are here to redefine Amateur soccer. And such a mission has no end. KAMIKAZE!!!
Squad: Akbar Kuszczak, Suresh USPO, Jayraj Carragher, Thina Da Silva, Anand Spaceship, Hariboy Aerocratz, Yasin Scholes, El Fazail, Cristiano Barathi, Diego Haresh, Havey Adebayor, Victor King, Doctor Karthik, Lavanesh Valencia, Safar Torres
Final score: Outsiders FC 1 - Kamikaze FC 2
Goals: Thina Da Silva, Diego Haresh
MOM: Suresh USPO
Friendly at Broadrick Secondary
A training match to prepare for the big game in the next week. Focus was on short passes and tactical movements. Kong's bringing along of a big white board and Haresh sitting out of the match to focus on strategical movements all showed that the result of this match was not important but rather the getting into shape for the semifinals was. Objectives of the game was met, and a victory just made it sweeter. 3-0 to KKZ was the final score.
Squad: Premnathan Kawabanga, Jayraj Carragher, Suresh USPO, Thina Da Silva, Vinnie Obertan, Cristiano Barathi, Doctor Karthik, Yasin Scholes, Seelan Kong, Havey Adebayor, Sateesh Balloon, Safar Torres, Gowthaman
Final score: Unnamed Utd 0 - Kamikaze FC 3
Goals: Thina da Silva, Gowthaman, Sateesh Balloon
MOM: Thina da Silva
Squad: Premnathan Kawabanga, Jayraj Carragher, Suresh USPO, Thina Da Silva, Vinnie Obertan, Cristiano Barathi, Doctor Karthik, Yasin Scholes, Seelan Kong, Havey Adebayor, Sateesh Balloon, Safar Torres, Gowthaman
Final score: Unnamed Utd 0 - Kamikaze FC 3
Goals: Thina da Silva, Gowthaman, Sateesh Balloon
MOM: Thina da Silva
Champions Cup - Grp Stage 4th Match
In the last group match, Kamikaze had to win by atleast a 5 goal margin to have any hopes of topping the group and avoiding Tournament favourites and footballing giants Outsiders FC in the semi-finals. The intent was clear on the KKZ side, as they stormed to a 2-0 lead within 20 mins, with Yasin and Victor getting onto the score sheet. However, their recent problems in dealing with set -pieces once again reared its ugly head as they conceded one off a corner that saw their lead being cut going into half-time.
The second proved be to be a different story, as despite Pending Utd attacking non-stop, KKZ played with more attacking intelligence and caught them cold on the counter attacks. Yasin doubled his tally, after good work from Safar, who later scored one of his own, before El Fazail finished off the rout in a spectacular fashion by chipping the keeper from 20 yards out. And that was how the match ended, 5-1 to KKZ. However, the 'lack of goals' meant that KKZ ended up being second in the group and had a date fixed with giants Outsiders in the semis. Will the goliath be slayed, or will david end up being a meat patty? Watch this space..
KAMIKAZE!!!
Squad: Akbar Kuszczak, Premnathan Kawabanga, Jayraj Carragher, Thina Da Silva, Anand Spaceship, Cristiano Barathi, Doctor Karthik, Suresh USPO, Yasin Scholes, Diego Haresh, Havey Adebayor, Vinnie Obertan, Safar Torres
Final score: Pending Utd 1 - Kamikaze FC 5
Goals: Yasin Scholes (2), Victor King, Safar Torres, El Fazail
MOM: Akbar Kuszczak
The second proved be to be a different story, as despite Pending Utd attacking non-stop, KKZ played with more attacking intelligence and caught them cold on the counter attacks. Yasin doubled his tally, after good work from Safar, who later scored one of his own, before El Fazail finished off the rout in a spectacular fashion by chipping the keeper from 20 yards out. And that was how the match ended, 5-1 to KKZ. However, the 'lack of goals' meant that KKZ ended up being second in the group and had a date fixed with giants Outsiders in the semis. Will the goliath be slayed, or will david end up being a meat patty? Watch this space..
KAMIKAZE!!!
Squad: Akbar Kuszczak, Premnathan Kawabanga, Jayraj Carragher, Thina Da Silva, Anand Spaceship, Cristiano Barathi, Doctor Karthik, Suresh USPO, Yasin Scholes, Diego Haresh, Havey Adebayor, Vinnie Obertan, Safar Torres
Final score: Pending Utd 1 - Kamikaze FC 5
Goals: Yasin Scholes (2), Victor King, Safar Torres, El Fazail
MOM: Akbar Kuszczak
Champions Cup - Grp Stage 3rd Match
6 Jun @ Hua Yi Secondary School 3pm
A stunning 12 game unbeaten run came to an abrupt end when Kamikaze FC met Team Alkatraz in the return leg of their group stage match. Atleast a draw and top the group, that was the equation for KKZ, however, complacency, inability to adapt to the horrendous pitch and bad refereeing meant that KKZ failed even to get a point. They conceded their first off a penalty and the second off a corner, and though Havey pulled back one before half-time, it was not enough to change the game in their favour as Team Kamikaze slumped to an unexpected defeat which meant that they had to wait till the last group games to know their semi-final opponents. Can they bounce back from this defeat? The next few results will show..
Squad: Akbar Kuszczak, Premnathan Kawabanga, Jayraj Carragher, Thina Da Silva, Anand Spaceship, Cristiano Barathi, Doctor Karthik, Suresh USPO, Yasin Scholes, Diego Haresh, Havey Adebayor, Vinnie Obertan, Safar Torres
Final score: Kamikaze FC 1 - Team Alkatraz 4
Goals: Havey Adebayor
MOM: Suresh USPO
A stunning 12 game unbeaten run came to an abrupt end when Kamikaze FC met Team Alkatraz in the return leg of their group stage match. Atleast a draw and top the group, that was the equation for KKZ, however, complacency, inability to adapt to the horrendous pitch and bad refereeing meant that KKZ failed even to get a point. They conceded their first off a penalty and the second off a corner, and though Havey pulled back one before half-time, it was not enough to change the game in their favour as Team Kamikaze slumped to an unexpected defeat which meant that they had to wait till the last group games to know their semi-final opponents. Can they bounce back from this defeat? The next few results will show..
Squad: Akbar Kuszczak, Premnathan Kawabanga, Jayraj Carragher, Thina Da Silva, Anand Spaceship, Cristiano Barathi, Doctor Karthik, Suresh USPO, Yasin Scholes, Diego Haresh, Havey Adebayor, Vinnie Obertan, Safar Torres
Final score: Kamikaze FC 1 - Team Alkatraz 4
Goals: Havey Adebayor
MOM: Suresh USPO
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Update
Kamikaze has secured a passage to the quarter finals after beating pending united in their last group game. Kamikaze FC also awaits the results of pending vs alcatraz so that it would be clear that who their opponents will be in the quarter finals. When asked to comment about the possibility of a mouthwatering clash between outsiders fc and kamikaze , Team Manager Haresh said that " we came with a mindset to meet tough challenges in this tournament , and meeting outsiders is also a clash that i will look forward to definitely!". Having recently crowned champions of CFL 2009/2010 , Kamikaze FC went on a 12 game unbeaten run before crashing out to alcatraz fc. Known for collecting wins while gaining momentum and their fierce fiery attacking brand of play , kamikaze fc is also a hot favourite to snatch the Champions Cup away from its rivals. With that , i leave you all with the anticipation on whom we are going to face in the quarter finals. See You guys.
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