MOF SEASON 5 DIVISION 1
ROUND 4
YOUNGSTERVILLE vs KAMIKAZE
20 April 2014
11am Bedok South Secondary
Kamikaze looks to be a squad in crisis at the moment as losing 3 times on the trot is something that has been unthinkable for a long time, yet that is precisely what has happened as the Samurais plunged to their 3rd defeat, this time at the hands of Youngsterville.
To their credit, the team started brightly and could have easily been up by 2 goals within the first 10 minutes, save for some woeful finishing once again. And it would come back to hurt them as Youngsterville scored 2 quickly taken goals off the counter to condemn KKZ to yet another first-half deficit.
However, KKZ showed their famed resilience as they battled back to even terms off some dazzling magic from first Pratheep who won a penalty, which Safar missed but managed to score on the second attempt and then through Safar himself, who showed glimpses of his yesteryear magic as he danced down the by-line before finishing exquisitely.
Just when the team looked to have found its groove and seemed to have enough to even steal a late winner, they received yet another horrendous refereeing decision as a penalty was awarded against them.
However, for a team which has not had a taste of defeats for a very long time, Kamikaze does not look fairly threatened. They admit that they are a team in transition which is still finding it difficult to adapt to this level of football.
Captain Haravin rubbished all talks of a possible relegation battle,
"We lost three games and suddenly we are a squad in crisis? Please let's be realistic here. This team has too much quality to even worry about going down. We just need to get one result and the rest will follow. We have to keep believing in ourselves. I need my players to stand up and be counted. But of course, MOF has to help us as well. The referees have to be of some standard and matches have to be played for the full duration. The previous match was played at 35 minutes per half and this one at 30 mins per half. These things are not going to help any team and at the current moment it is hurting us. We expect better organisation from an established organiser such as MOF."
Squad: Victor (GK), Prem, Eng, Hara, Anand Spaceship, Dinesh Manjan, Gerard, Pira, Sasi,Safar, Vijay, Kishen, Barathi, Viki, PratheepMuse, Fazail
Goals: Safar (2)
Assists: Pratheep, Gerard
Final Score: Youngsterville 3 - 2 Kamikaze
Monday, April 21, 2014
Monday, April 14, 2014
Second Defeat For Kamikaze
MOF SEASON 5 DIVISION 1
ROUND 3
KAMIKAZE vs GABRIELITE REMIX
13 April 2014
3pm Pierce Secondary
One has to go a very long time to remember when Kamikaze lost two consecutive matches. But the fact that it has happened now reflects the competitiveness of this league and the complacency that has infiltrated the team. To their credit, the boys from Kamikaze controlled possession in the first-half, kept asking all the right questions and their defence stayed solid. However, a lack of goals to account for their superiority meant that they were always vulnerable on the break and the worse happened as within minutes of the restart the team conceded the opener off another set-piece, this time a throw-in.
Although, the team did very well to bounce back and equalise through a well-taken striker's goal from Siva, they quickly found themselves down 3-1 again via shambolic defending. Just when it looked like they were back in the game when Nesh scored a vital second after good work from the flank by Siva, a misplaced pass found them vulnerable on the counter and they were down by 2 goals yet again. Vijay gave them a glimmer of hope as he halved the deficit, but it was not to be one of those valiant KKZ comebacks as they slumped to their second defeat of the season.
Acting Manager Victor who is definitely feeling the pressure remained defiant,
"Well football is a funny game. We definitely didn't play to standard today, but neither did the opponents. In the end however, it's only the goals that matter and we conceded 4 today. The most worrying thing for me, would be that we have still yet to come up with a definitive style of play this season and it's strange as this team has been playing together for quite a while. I have to take full responsibility for that and have to get my team to start playing to their abilities once again. Am I feeling the pressure? Yes, maybe. But the most important thing to do now is to get prepared for the next game. If we have to go back to the basics, we will."
Vice-Captain Prem summed it up,
"This is why we are in a division that is so tough. We have come to learn and to improve. Thrashing teams is not going to develop the team. It is only when you play against tough teams week in and week out and you learn to grab results as a team where you truly improve. We will get better."
KAMIKAZE!!!
Squad: Karim (GK), Prem, Uspo Suresh, Hara, Dinesh Manjan, Viki, Faizal, Oswind, Sasi, Anand Spaceship, Siva, Vijay, Pira, Neshsta, Doctor, Aravin Yeli
Goals: Siva, Neshsta, Vijay
Assists: Yeli, Siva, Faizal
Final Score: Kamikaze 3 - 4 Gabrielite Remix 4
ROUND 3
KAMIKAZE vs GABRIELITE REMIX
13 April 2014
3pm Pierce Secondary
One has to go a very long time to remember when Kamikaze lost two consecutive matches. But the fact that it has happened now reflects the competitiveness of this league and the complacency that has infiltrated the team. To their credit, the boys from Kamikaze controlled possession in the first-half, kept asking all the right questions and their defence stayed solid. However, a lack of goals to account for their superiority meant that they were always vulnerable on the break and the worse happened as within minutes of the restart the team conceded the opener off another set-piece, this time a throw-in.
Although, the team did very well to bounce back and equalise through a well-taken striker's goal from Siva, they quickly found themselves down 3-1 again via shambolic defending. Just when it looked like they were back in the game when Nesh scored a vital second after good work from the flank by Siva, a misplaced pass found them vulnerable on the counter and they were down by 2 goals yet again. Vijay gave them a glimmer of hope as he halved the deficit, but it was not to be one of those valiant KKZ comebacks as they slumped to their second defeat of the season.
Acting Manager Victor who is definitely feeling the pressure remained defiant,
"Well football is a funny game. We definitely didn't play to standard today, but neither did the opponents. In the end however, it's only the goals that matter and we conceded 4 today. The most worrying thing for me, would be that we have still yet to come up with a definitive style of play this season and it's strange as this team has been playing together for quite a while. I have to take full responsibility for that and have to get my team to start playing to their abilities once again. Am I feeling the pressure? Yes, maybe. But the most important thing to do now is to get prepared for the next game. If we have to go back to the basics, we will."
Vice-Captain Prem summed it up,
"This is why we are in a division that is so tough. We have come to learn and to improve. Thrashing teams is not going to develop the team. It is only when you play against tough teams week in and week out and you learn to grab results as a team where you truly improve. We will get better."
KAMIKAZE!!!
Squad: Karim (GK), Prem, Uspo Suresh, Hara, Dinesh Manjan, Viki, Faizal, Oswind, Sasi, Anand Spaceship, Siva, Vijay, Pira, Neshsta, Doctor, Aravin Yeli
Goals: Siva, Neshsta, Vijay
Assists: Yeli, Siva, Faizal
Final Score: Kamikaze 3 - 4 Gabrielite Remix 4
Monday, April 07, 2014
Reality Sinks In For Kamikaze
MOF SEASON 5 DIVISION 1
ROUND 2
HAPPY FEET vs KAMIKAZE
11am Marsiling Secondary
This was a game at its cruel best. Kamikaze came into this game looking well-prepared on the outset, but the nerves clearly showed as they made schoolboy errors to succumb to a 5-1 defeat. The scoreline was made even bitter to take, knowing that they had indeed taken the lead after an outrageous free-kick by Oswind from the half-way line. From then on it was downhill as Kamikaze conceded goals from 3 corners and a penalty to effectively lose the match at half-time itself. The fact that they actually held their superior opponents to a goalless second half mattered little, as this game will be remembered for how the game was lost by the team's inability to defend their set-pieces and work as a team.
Acting Manager Victor was defiant in the post-match conference,
"Full credits to the Defending Champions Happy Feet, they played like champions and took their chances. But we were definitely not outplayed. We took the game to them, without defending equally well and we paid the price for it. This is what this league is about and it is exactly for this level of competition, that we made the decision to come onboard to MOF. We will get better. I will let the results speak for itself. I have full confidence in my team, and they will give the perfect response to this result."
KAMIKAZE!!!
Squad: Karim (GK), Eng, Ashraf, Sasi, Hara (c), Doctor, Mohaan, Oswind, Fazail, Safar, Siva, Hevy, Kishen, Premnathan
Goals: Oswind
Final Score: Happy Feet 5 - 1 Kamikaze
ROUND 2
HAPPY FEET vs KAMIKAZE
11am Marsiling Secondary
This was a game at its cruel best. Kamikaze came into this game looking well-prepared on the outset, but the nerves clearly showed as they made schoolboy errors to succumb to a 5-1 defeat. The scoreline was made even bitter to take, knowing that they had indeed taken the lead after an outrageous free-kick by Oswind from the half-way line. From then on it was downhill as Kamikaze conceded goals from 3 corners and a penalty to effectively lose the match at half-time itself. The fact that they actually held their superior opponents to a goalless second half mattered little, as this game will be remembered for how the game was lost by the team's inability to defend their set-pieces and work as a team.
Acting Manager Victor was defiant in the post-match conference,
"Full credits to the Defending Champions Happy Feet, they played like champions and took their chances. But we were definitely not outplayed. We took the game to them, without defending equally well and we paid the price for it. This is what this league is about and it is exactly for this level of competition, that we made the decision to come onboard to MOF. We will get better. I will let the results speak for itself. I have full confidence in my team, and they will give the perfect response to this result."
KAMIKAZE!!!
Squad: Karim (GK), Eng, Ashraf, Sasi, Hara (c), Doctor, Mohaan, Oswind, Fazail, Safar, Siva, Hevy, Kishen, Premnathan
Goals: Oswind
Final Score: Happy Feet 5 - 1 Kamikaze
Thursday, April 03, 2014
Kamikaze Play the Biggest Match of their History
Kamikaze take on their biggest opposition to date in their 10-year history when they play Defending Division 1 Champions Happy Feet in the second league match on Sunday. This definitely would rank up there as the biggest match in the team's history and it is precisely because they wanted days like these that the management made the tough decision of leaving ESPZEN prematurely to join MOF's Division 1.
Happy Feet are easily one of the top-3 teams in amateur football in Singapore and they play a brand of football that is very easily associated with teams like Bayern and Barca. Kamikaze on the other hand have been steadily building up for a day like this and the team is quietly confident.
We are definitely the underdogs and more important than anything is the football that we deliver on the day. However, there is optimism within the team camp that the team will give a good account of itself. For those who have to catch the excitement in person, head on down to Marsiling Secondary on 6th Apr at 11 am to catch Kamikaze taking on Happy Feet. Will the Divine wind soar with Honour or will they be gunned down by their premier opponents? Watch this space!!!
KAMIKAZE!!!
Happy Feet are easily one of the top-3 teams in amateur football in Singapore and they play a brand of football that is very easily associated with teams like Bayern and Barca. Kamikaze on the other hand have been steadily building up for a day like this and the team is quietly confident.
We are definitely the underdogs and more important than anything is the football that we deliver on the day. However, there is optimism within the team camp that the team will give a good account of itself. For those who have to catch the excitement in person, head on down to Marsiling Secondary on 6th Apr at 11 am to catch Kamikaze taking on Happy Feet. Will the Divine wind soar with Honour or will they be gunned down by their premier opponents? Watch this space!!!
KAMIKAZE!!!
Monday, March 17, 2014
Kamikaze Start their New Campaign with a Win
MOF SEASON 5 DIVISION 1
ROUND 1
KAMIKAZE vs KOJA'S BOYS
3pm Regent Secondary
It was an opening encounter for Kamikaze that was without all the fanfare and frills associated with previous league opening matches. Playing in 4th new league in 4 seasons, Kamikaze had entered the league looking for yet another new challenge. Although the team has been lucky to win 3 titles in a row, the manner in which they had done so, breezing to victories, hasn't really got anyone waxing lyricals about the strength of this team. Yet, when you have a starting line-up that saw players like Mohaan, Safar, Barathi and Siva starting on the bench, you know that this new-look KKZ outfit is definitely not short of depth nor quality.
The opening exchanges with Koja's Boys was highly encouraging as the team was patient to string the ball around the tight lines that Koja Boys were holding. Kamikaze knew that the longer they held on to the ball, the higher their chances of breaking the deadlock were. That moment came in the 10th minute, as Sasi raced on to a neatly threaded through-ball from Oswind and gave the goalkeeper no chance with a solid strike. 1-0 to Kamikaze.
If that was the cue to opening the floodgates, no one heard it, as the half ended with the scores unchanged. The second half was to be more positive, as Safar just took 7 minutes to introduce his arrival after playing a series of 1-2s with Oswind before he laid the ball onto the path of Hevy who made no mistake as he slammed home the ball.
However, there was to be some drama, as a long aimless punt somehow beat Yeli who was the stand-in keeper and the deficit was once again pegged down to 1. The team knew they had to get the third goal.
The third goal did not take too long to come, however, as Spachship acrobatically threw himself into the path of the cross after some goodwork by Sasi to deliver the ball in from the bye-line. At 3-1, the game was all but over, but there was still time for Yeli to redeem himself as he pulled off 2 point blank saves to prevent handing any momentum over to their opponents, before Safar ended the contest with a well-taken striker.
Although it was a convincing scoreline, the Acting Manager Victor, who was deputising for Jayaseelan, did not seem too pleased.
"Let's be honest here. Our passing was in shambles. I doubt we strung together more than 6 passes in a row, and too often we were trying to force the play in. I know my players are top acts, but they need to understand that to win a league as competitive as this, we have to be consistent. I doubt we are gonna walk through opponents, so I expect a better attitude in the next game. Nonetheless, I will admit, there were some really good goals scored. Generally, the mood in the game is also much better. Now, its time to translate that happiness into the pitch."
Will Kamikaze win their 4th League Title in a row? Watch this space!!!
KAMIKAZE!!!
Squad: Aravin Yeli (GK), Dinesh Neshsta, Suresh Uspo, Dinzo, Kishen, Premnathan(c), Oswind, Fazail, Sasi, Anand Spaceship, Hevy, Mohaan, Barathi, Siva, Safar
Goals: Sasi, Hevy, Anand, Safar
Assists: Oswind, Safar, Sasi
Final Score: Kamikaze 4 - 1 Koja's Boys
ROUND 1
KAMIKAZE vs KOJA'S BOYS
3pm Regent Secondary
It was an opening encounter for Kamikaze that was without all the fanfare and frills associated with previous league opening matches. Playing in 4th new league in 4 seasons, Kamikaze had entered the league looking for yet another new challenge. Although the team has been lucky to win 3 titles in a row, the manner in which they had done so, breezing to victories, hasn't really got anyone waxing lyricals about the strength of this team. Yet, when you have a starting line-up that saw players like Mohaan, Safar, Barathi and Siva starting on the bench, you know that this new-look KKZ outfit is definitely not short of depth nor quality.
The opening exchanges with Koja's Boys was highly encouraging as the team was patient to string the ball around the tight lines that Koja Boys were holding. Kamikaze knew that the longer they held on to the ball, the higher their chances of breaking the deadlock were. That moment came in the 10th minute, as Sasi raced on to a neatly threaded through-ball from Oswind and gave the goalkeeper no chance with a solid strike. 1-0 to Kamikaze.
If that was the cue to opening the floodgates, no one heard it, as the half ended with the scores unchanged. The second half was to be more positive, as Safar just took 7 minutes to introduce his arrival after playing a series of 1-2s with Oswind before he laid the ball onto the path of Hevy who made no mistake as he slammed home the ball.
However, there was to be some drama, as a long aimless punt somehow beat Yeli who was the stand-in keeper and the deficit was once again pegged down to 1. The team knew they had to get the third goal.
The third goal did not take too long to come, however, as Spachship acrobatically threw himself into the path of the cross after some goodwork by Sasi to deliver the ball in from the bye-line. At 3-1, the game was all but over, but there was still time for Yeli to redeem himself as he pulled off 2 point blank saves to prevent handing any momentum over to their opponents, before Safar ended the contest with a well-taken striker.
Although it was a convincing scoreline, the Acting Manager Victor, who was deputising for Jayaseelan, did not seem too pleased.
"Let's be honest here. Our passing was in shambles. I doubt we strung together more than 6 passes in a row, and too often we were trying to force the play in. I know my players are top acts, but they need to understand that to win a league as competitive as this, we have to be consistent. I doubt we are gonna walk through opponents, so I expect a better attitude in the next game. Nonetheless, I will admit, there were some really good goals scored. Generally, the mood in the game is also much better. Now, its time to translate that happiness into the pitch."
Will Kamikaze win their 4th League Title in a row? Watch this space!!!
KAMIKAZE!!!
Squad: Aravin Yeli (GK), Dinesh Neshsta, Suresh Uspo, Dinzo, Kishen, Premnathan(c), Oswind, Fazail, Sasi, Anand Spaceship, Hevy, Mohaan, Barathi, Siva, Safar
Goals: Sasi, Hevy, Anand, Safar
Assists: Oswind, Safar, Sasi
Final Score: Kamikaze 4 - 1 Koja's Boys
Thursday, March 06, 2014
Suresh Steps Down From Captaincy
He was a man who could outjump the tallest player on the pitch at will, he still can. His precise tackles, running from behind, have often caused a collective gasp of breath simply for their breath-taking beauty. He did not score too many goals for Kamikaze, yet every time he drives up with the ball, there was a chance to be taken. Despite his name being the first in the team-list, simply because of his talent and determination, that was not how he will be remembered in time to come. He was, still is and will always be A Leader of the team! The most courageous one the team has ever had. Suresh Kumar s/o Vetrivel aka USPO
Suresh has announced that he will be stepping down from the Captaincy of the Senior Team with immediate effect. Suresh leaves the post after 2 and a half years becoming the most successful captain in the Team's History. He led the team to 1 runners' up medal 3 successive Championship titles and played an important role in each of the title win.
Suresh's biggest strength was that he commanded total respect in the dressing room and led from the front on the pitch. The sight of the stare that one would receive if he were to play a misplaced pass was enough to exact 100% commitment from his players. Suresh rarely shouted, but when he did, he was fiery enough to put a check to even the biggest egos in the team.
Suresh was also a well-loved captain, whose sense of humor won him many fans. He also acted as a mentor to several of the younger players in the squad, constantly guiding them and encouraging them to play to the best of their abilities.
In fact, it is a testament to Suresh's mentoring skills, that one of his former proteges, Haravin would be appointed the new captain. Haravin has been a lifelong Kamikaze boy, coming through the ranks at the age of 14. In his 10th year with the club, he has been given the honour of leading the Senior team out. But with great power comes great responsibilities, as this young man will now lead several big names in the dressing room, including his former Captain Suresh who will be looking to continue playing top-level football for atleast another 5 seasons.
When asked on what his biggest Achievement as Captain was, Suresh's answer surprised many.
"I think, over the years Kamikaze had developed a reputation as an attacking team. One that always attacked and never gave up and personally I feel that this is a great reputation. However, my biggest achievement, would be to bring some stability and tactical discipline to our defensive lines and shape and create a lean and mean defence that was always rock solid. And truth be told, our defence often helped the attack too and that to me would be my biggest achievement- Shaping Our Defence."
His answer to his Best Moment as Captain, was also unexpected.
"No, definitely not the titles we won. Those titles were a result of consistent effort, but I don't think that was my best moment. Some of my best moments, were when we beat our closest rivals. Teams like Mexican Aces often gave us tough times. But over the years, when we recorded victories over them, it is a really pleasant moment cos you know your team has come far and improved over the years."
Seelan's response on the Captaincy change summed up the mood for Kamikaze,
"A captain like USPO is a dream come true for any manager. To have someone command and motivate the dressing room like he did, is a boon for any manager and he definitely made my job much easier. But mark my words, that boy is not going off anywhere, he has several more years to contribute to this amazing team. Meanwhile, one cannot ask for a better player to replace USPO as the captain. Hara has been earmarked for the role for the past year and he has proven to be an able man to lead the team forward. It is not going to be easy for him, as he will be a young captain, leading a team of big names. But I have no doubt that the boy will be a natural leader, just like his predecessor."
On other news, The Juniors have also appointed Nick as their new Vice-Captain. With the departures of Hasiim and Shivaanan and the long-term injury of Vishnu, the team needed a new on-field leader to deputise and the management unanimously agreed that Nick was the best man for the job.
With so many changes happening in the Kamikaze family, one could easily speculate that this season could be a make-or-break season for Kamikaze. But as always, Kamikaze would once again like to show the Amateur Football world, on how best to manage an Amateur team and be damn good at it.
KAMIKAZE!!!
Major Changes Headed Kamikaze's Way
Kamikaze looks set to enter yet another new phase of rejuvenation. The amateur outfit which is celebrating its 10-year anniversary this September has always been open to embrace change and has constantly reinvented itself and its methods to stay afresh and relevant in the amateur football scene. The openness amongst its teammates to change has to be the most important reason why it has 3 teams under the KKZ family, all playing enjoyable attacking football and helping to make Kamikaze a household name in the amateur football scene.
Seniors
One of the biggest changes to the Seniors set-up is the retirement of long-serving forward Victor. The player who holds the most number of appearances and possibly the most number of goals in the history of Kamikaze, leaves the Seniors set-up with 4 Championship titles, 1 2nd place medal and 1 3rd place medal. In his retirement speech, he mentioned 3 areas where the team will have to play special focus on.
1) To always remain a Team of Brothers
2) Brothers who remember that the needs of the team outweighs any personal or individual aspirations
3) Proper structures and processes are vital to ensure our long-term success
The team is also set to lose Shivaanan, as he returns back to Australia after a very successful 2-year stint where he picked up 2 title-winners' medals. In response to this departures, Kamikaze went on yet another successful transfer window, as they managed to sign Oswind Suriya Rosayro on a long-term partnership deal. The former S-league player is the most high-profile signing the team has signed, and the fans are all excited to see how he links up with his close friend and former teammate Mohaan. The team has also made the signing of Sasi a permanent deal. The young starlet who was acquired last season, had his contract made permanent, and this exciting winger looks set to win over hoards of fans with his direct attacking play. Another important addition to the team would be Pirakash, another pacy winger whose biggest strength is his ability to keep things simple and effective. The team also signalled its intent to renew the squad by signing 3 top-keepers in its roster.
Akbar is a name synonymous with Kamikaze as his arrival signalled the first title for KKZ. He was re-signed after a 2-year absence and will be rotated alongside, Karim who is a highly-rated goalkeeper known for his calm and collected style. The team also signed Tamilarasan from NUS who will deputise for Akbar and Karim. In the last season, the keeping area was the only achilles heel for Kamikaze, and by strengthening it, the management has shown its intent in aiming for higher goals.
Juniors
The Juniors are reeling from the expected departure of Shivaanan who is returning back to Australia, as well as the Enlistment of several key players. But the Management of Kamikaze is well-experienced in knowing how to manage NS transitions and with the guiding hands of Nesh and Victor, the Juniors look set to ride through this phase with minimal disruption. The form of new-signing Visnu V2 and Prabhu who has found a new lease of life, has given the managers some form of joy as they are currently 3rd in the table in their AISPORTS league. The juniors do have a keeping conundrum as Apek, their first-choice keeper is currently sidelined with work. However, in his absence, whether the second-choice keeper Pratip can make a claim to be a regular keeper or not will answer the question on whether they will maintain their form in the league.
At the end of the season, the management looks set to redraft the team and stream several players. This news has set hearts reeling in the Juniors' camp as all look set to maintain their form and fight for their place.
Veterans
This area has been of the biggest concern to the Kamikaze Management. Originally formed in 2010, the team was conceptualised with objective of bringing together past KKZ players back into the family fold and create an active recreational team, that would also serve the needs of the organisation as a whole. This team could be used to give some of the Juniors more game time and could also facilitate the rehabilitation process of injured players looking to return to first-team action.
However, it must be said that the idea looks set to have failed in its present form. It is a tough chore just to call up enough players to play a match, and often the team is being supplemented by several first-team regulars who help out by playing two matches in one week. Hence, this is the area, which the management is looking set to focus most of its efforts to rebrand.
With immediate effect, this team will be renamed Kamikaze Rangers 04. The short-term plans would be to gather a team of 11 regulars who will make it for the game week-in week-out. This regulars do not have to be veteran players, and need not have played for Kamikaze previously, although we strongly welcome all former KKZ players to support this initiative. The team will look to have players who are looking to play regular football, but without the pressure of being in a competitive league. Haresh, the manager of the Kamikaze Rangers 04 will also be given full freedom in shaping the make-up of his squad. There is no doubt that he will be up for this challenge and successfully revive this brilliant initiative.
One of the greatest hallmarks of Kamikaze is our ability to keep things exciting. We have always embraced changes and new innovations around us. We will continue in this vein of reinvention and will always be at the forefront of Amateur football. We are not Just a Soccer Team. We are a Way of Life!!!
KAMIKAZE!!!
Seniors
One of the biggest changes to the Seniors set-up is the retirement of long-serving forward Victor. The player who holds the most number of appearances and possibly the most number of goals in the history of Kamikaze, leaves the Seniors set-up with 4 Championship titles, 1 2nd place medal and 1 3rd place medal. In his retirement speech, he mentioned 3 areas where the team will have to play special focus on.
1) To always remain a Team of Brothers
2) Brothers who remember that the needs of the team outweighs any personal or individual aspirations
3) Proper structures and processes are vital to ensure our long-term success
The team is also set to lose Shivaanan, as he returns back to Australia after a very successful 2-year stint where he picked up 2 title-winners' medals. In response to this departures, Kamikaze went on yet another successful transfer window, as they managed to sign Oswind Suriya Rosayro on a long-term partnership deal. The former S-league player is the most high-profile signing the team has signed, and the fans are all excited to see how he links up with his close friend and former teammate Mohaan. The team has also made the signing of Sasi a permanent deal. The young starlet who was acquired last season, had his contract made permanent, and this exciting winger looks set to win over hoards of fans with his direct attacking play. Another important addition to the team would be Pirakash, another pacy winger whose biggest strength is his ability to keep things simple and effective. The team also signalled its intent to renew the squad by signing 3 top-keepers in its roster.
Akbar is a name synonymous with Kamikaze as his arrival signalled the first title for KKZ. He was re-signed after a 2-year absence and will be rotated alongside, Karim who is a highly-rated goalkeeper known for his calm and collected style. The team also signed Tamilarasan from NUS who will deputise for Akbar and Karim. In the last season, the keeping area was the only achilles heel for Kamikaze, and by strengthening it, the management has shown its intent in aiming for higher goals.
Juniors
The Juniors are reeling from the expected departure of Shivaanan who is returning back to Australia, as well as the Enlistment of several key players. But the Management of Kamikaze is well-experienced in knowing how to manage NS transitions and with the guiding hands of Nesh and Victor, the Juniors look set to ride through this phase with minimal disruption. The form of new-signing Visnu V2 and Prabhu who has found a new lease of life, has given the managers some form of joy as they are currently 3rd in the table in their AISPORTS league. The juniors do have a keeping conundrum as Apek, their first-choice keeper is currently sidelined with work. However, in his absence, whether the second-choice keeper Pratip can make a claim to be a regular keeper or not will answer the question on whether they will maintain their form in the league.
At the end of the season, the management looks set to redraft the team and stream several players. This news has set hearts reeling in the Juniors' camp as all look set to maintain their form and fight for their place.
Veterans
This area has been of the biggest concern to the Kamikaze Management. Originally formed in 2010, the team was conceptualised with objective of bringing together past KKZ players back into the family fold and create an active recreational team, that would also serve the needs of the organisation as a whole. This team could be used to give some of the Juniors more game time and could also facilitate the rehabilitation process of injured players looking to return to first-team action.
However, it must be said that the idea looks set to have failed in its present form. It is a tough chore just to call up enough players to play a match, and often the team is being supplemented by several first-team regulars who help out by playing two matches in one week. Hence, this is the area, which the management is looking set to focus most of its efforts to rebrand.
With immediate effect, this team will be renamed Kamikaze Rangers 04. The short-term plans would be to gather a team of 11 regulars who will make it for the game week-in week-out. This regulars do not have to be veteran players, and need not have played for Kamikaze previously, although we strongly welcome all former KKZ players to support this initiative. The team will look to have players who are looking to play regular football, but without the pressure of being in a competitive league. Haresh, the manager of the Kamikaze Rangers 04 will also be given full freedom in shaping the make-up of his squad. There is no doubt that he will be up for this challenge and successfully revive this brilliant initiative.
One of the greatest hallmarks of Kamikaze is our ability to keep things exciting. We have always embraced changes and new innovations around us. We will continue in this vein of reinvention and will always be at the forefront of Amateur football. We are not Just a Soccer Team. We are a Way of Life!!!
KAMIKAZE!!!
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