Being a manager is really cool and satisfying... Especially when you see how your team work together like clockwork; perfect passes, good communication, sharp shooting and most importantly... excellent teamwork!
My first managerial work was for a match between my church Canaan Baptist Vs Emmanuel Baptist for a Futsal competition. It wasn't a good one though; it was meant to be an Under-18 match, but in the end most of the opponent's players were college students and even a age-old pastor! Sigh... obviously we lost... badly sumore: 6-2. My team didn't manage to have any training together as a team too.
Then came an opportunity for me to my team to prove our worth. It was a Futsal competition organised by Score Arena in Kuchai Lama on the 17 of December 2006 and i signed my team up for the under-15 competition.
To gear up my team, the first thing to do was to name our team. There ain't any other better name then CBC FC, Canaan Baptist Church Football Club. Next I've purchase for my team their Team Jersey.
After selecting my players and their roles, i gave them intensive training within a week.
Then match day came. Everyone was there early so i told them to do simple warm up. Even some of our 'fans' came along to support. A few teams were laughing at us for doing that, but damn they have no idea how simple warm ups can be a simple magic to success. Later i gave them some motivational talk and pre-game briefing. As this is the first real competitive match my team ever faced, I told them the importance of being relax and not being too tense and anxious. Most importantly they must be serious and have fun on the pitch. I never like my own team arguing at each other or with the opponent and swearing around, there is no sportsmanship with these kind of attitudes.
The first team CBC FC faced was Samba FC, an all-Indian team. They were really intimidating, their team were all equip with team jersey with their name printed... *sweet*, which i could do that for my team too. Their team were very organised and physical, i can see that their coached have trained them real well. In the end we lost... is really demoralising since it is our first match and it can really affect the other matches. They were so tensed and scared when they played, that must have led them to commit a few mistake in the game. However I've encouraged them by first pointing out that we only lost 1-0, that's good considering they are playing at that kind of state and with only that limited training. I then told them to focus on the 1 goal deficit only! That from my point of view they could beat any given team by 10-0 if it is possible.
Sure enough, they next game where Samba FC played with other teams, they beat them by 9-0 & 8-1. I can see that my players were all lighted up with fire and confidence, seeing smiles on their face boost my confidence on the team too; they've crushed fear right up its arse!
On the next game which my team compete, to keep up with their confidence on themselves and the team, i taught them a chant which i request them to chant and shout their lungs out in order to eliminate the fear in them. The chant was:
Me: WHAT DOES CBC FC WANTS?
Team: TO WIN!
Me: WHAT DOES CBC FC NEEDS?
Team: TO WIN!
Me: WHAT IS CBC FC GONNA DO?
Team: TO WIN!!
*ROAR* =D I can see their eyes light up with fire and Passion in an instant.
So in to the field they go... they gathered around in circles, however my team Captain Clifford changed the chant to:
Capt: WHO'S GONNA WIN?
Team: CBC FC X3
Awww... that moment really brought tears to my eyes, seeing not only I've achieved to motivate my boyz, but seeing them working as a cohesive unit, that's priceless. Like parents seeing their child growing up to become independent, successful and responsible.
We manage to win other 3 matches, with scores: 1-0, 2-0, 2-1. Wow rite! haha... All of them played their best and passion, i can literary see the beast coming out of them.
Then came our last match, an all Malay team, which means they are very technical in they play style. Like Arsenal, good precise passes and good finishing. I instructed my players to play defensively and go for the counter attack, cause one mistake by defenders would bring forth disaster. During that match my friends Noel, Daniel and Zhi Yong were there to support and gave some valueble advice to each of my players.
Through out the 15 minute of play it was really tensed and exciting, the opponent were really good with their attacks and formations, but my defenders and midfielders had listened to my instruction to keep an eye on all the attacking players and they really did a fantastic job; closing down players, blocking shots and superb saves by the goalkeeper. A few minute before the end of half time, the team captain manage to get a volley shot and shoot rite into the goal with full velocity! BOY WAS IT A FANTASTIC GOAL! My fans and players were clearly shouting, screaming and dancing as it was a final... but i was just there stunned, with that kind of shot and a goal, is just too good to be true =D
On half-time, i told the players that this is the last game and if we win this, it will mean we will have the chance to win 2nd spot. All they need to do is focus on their defend and minimise on making mistakes, and if they are tired don't hesitate to call for substitution.
The referee blowed the whistle to signal is the end of half time break and time to start the 2nd half. Boy was the atmosphere intensive, again and again we were bombarded with shots and close calls. However luck was not on our side too. Team capt. Clifford had a shot from the left and it actually went in cause i saw the ball went in and the net moved. But the referee could didn't called it cause probably he didn't see it went in and the ball went out of the goal after it went in. We played really well till the end... BUT, right before the final whistle, the opponent manage to score with a long range effort. Aiks, that goal really broke everyone's heart, cause it is the last goal and there will be no chance for any comeback. Final score, 1-1. =( It maybe just a draw, but to us it means we lost the chance to get 2nd place.
In the end... as everyone knows, we won 3rd placing out of 6 team. With cash price of RM50... damn! Our registration fee is RM80 bucks, not enough to cover anything. Oh we also won a Score Arena Pen, cam rite?! At least give trophy or medal lor... dunnit to give money... at least there's sumthing for remembrance.
To me though, most important is the experience and I'm glad my Team felt the same too. It really taught them what training, practice, discipline and confidence really do and how they fear can really destroy each and everyone of us. They also learned what Teamwork and Cooperation can do to make the impossible possible!
CBC FC 2006
Top: Austin, Brandon, Joel, Yee San,Ju Ping.
Mid: Roderic
Bot: Jeffrey, Clifford (C), Matthew/Ju Yuan (Manager), Jackie
