The Team:
Back Row (l/r): Haneef Mohamed, Lee Clay, Jimmy, Steve Harris, Nick Park, Mark Richardson
Front Row (l/r): Stuart Steele, Andy Dixon, Alan Pengelly, the non-biased ref, Mark Stevens, Bruce Shek, Bill Moitt
Background: Stinky Vegetable
The Tournament
This years Six-a-Side Tournament was held at the usual venue of Pok Fu Lam, Sandy Bay, with the usual large turn-out from the Yau Yee League for this end of season event.
The German's entered the event with a strong squad and feeling was that if things went well that we would stand a good chance.
Day 1, First Game: German All Stars 2 Sports Institute 0
Ok, they didn't show up on time and we won by default, but that didn't stop the celebrations.
The rumour that the boys from the Institute were hiding in the bushes are, of course, unfounded.
Day 2, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th Games
Victories of 2 - 0 and 4 - 0 followed for the Germans with two 0 - 0 draws in-between. The problem I have here is I just can't remember who we were playing.
Although, the crappy team in yellow who celebrated their 0 - 0 draw with us deserve particular contempt. What I do remember is:
Alan burrowing a path through the water-logged pitch, (more mole than mouse has been mentioned - thanks Bill) as players jumped back in sheer terror. Remember that scene in Superman when the baby Superman crashes into the ground in his spacecraft and leaves a big meteor trail in the ground?
This was worse!!
Two fine goals by Lee Clay in the 2 - 0 victory, especially the lobbed header.
Man Mountain, Mark Richardson, at the back. The zero goals against, and the quiet, but effective, tournament that the goalies Jimmy and Steve both had speaks volumes.
Mark Stevens and Bill Moitt both ensured that the Germans were strong from middle to back
The Germans won their group, Sports Institute, after finally showing up came second, and it was onto the second day.
Day 2, Game 1: Germans 1 Darts (?) 0
I may be wrong but I think this was that game with the Andy Dixon goal.
And he did - from the halfway line and right into the centre of the net!!
Goal of the tournament by a mile.
Day 2, Game 2: Germans 1 Golden Eagles 0
A dull and exceedingly quiet game with little talking point.
If Bruce deserved the red, then so did the Golden keeper.
In fact Bruce's accidental kick and little moment of cheekiness resulted in the Golden players, and there was a good few of them, mobbing in to give their bit to the sole Bruce.
The Germans rushed over to give Bruce some much needed protection, and as is always the case with these choobs, it was back-off, come back as a group and back-off again as someone gets within two feet of them.
Bruce was off, the Golden keeper was still on, and the Germans had to protect their 1 - 0 lead. A fine goal from Nick Park, calmly placing the ball into the bottom right-hand corner.
Alan and Andy proceeded to thump the ball in the direction of the South China Sea, the Germans held on and were through to the semi's.
Satisfied ?? - Too Right !!
Day 2, Semi-Final: Germans 1 Squadron 0
The Squadron boys will tell you they were not taking the sixes too seriously, but I have never played a German vs. Squadron game were both sets of players didn't want to desperatley stuff the other team.
And this was no different.
This was a close game, and Squadron probably edged the chances total. But with Brendan Kerrigan doing his best to hit the top of the grounds surrounding 20 foot fence, when it was a lot easier to score, the Germans were never really threatened.
However, it was a slice of luck, with Squadron's Craig sticking it in his own net, that gave the Germans their shot at the final.
Allied Colloids, meanwhile, had progressed all the way to the final, winning every game on penalty kicks after 0 - 0 draws. Thrilling stuff !!
Day 2, Final: Germans 1 Allied Colloids 0
After the previous two games this was a bit of a anti-climax.
The Pengelly's got into a skirmish, the Germans got a penalty, Lee Clay converted, and the rest was plain sailing.
I don't think there was any time after the early goal that I thought the Germans would not win, although Rocket at Centre Forward for the last moments is not something to be seen by the faint of heart.
The ground was empty and there was to be no presentations until the Yau Yee Dinner weeks later.
This was irrelevant as the Germans were now well started in the all important 3rd half !!
