Note From Captain (13/11/09)

Team,

Thanks to everyone for your continual support of the team. We have been getting some good results lately and need to maintain the form. Playing as a team will be the key. We welcome the contribution to our guest players. I am sorry that I can’t play at the moment due to my knee injury. I am expected to be back in full force on 1st Jan 2010.

I need your help on one matter. Financially we want to be self sustaining as a team without having to seek additional donations. Our Team Secretary has informed me that sometimes we do not receive the “playing fees of $10” from all players playing in a given match. Please understand that this $10 playing fee is intended to cover the cost of the field, referee and laundry. We use leftover funds to buy balls, jersey, gloves etc. Going forward we will book more artificial turf for matches as it is better for our “old knees and ankles” and will minimize the inconvenience of match cancellation due to rain.

I respectfully ask that all players, including guest players, pay up $10 promptly on match day to either Chee Tong (Secretary) or Wan (Manager). If you felt that you prefer to sponsor your guest player that you invited, you should still pay your guest’s “playing fees”. Thanks for your support and understanding on this matter.

We are due for another social get together which we will announce once it is firm.

God Bless,
Richard Wong

Alpha Game - Meriden JC (18/10/09)

Loss one goal by first half.

Great came back in second half by leading two goals till the last 10 minutes where opponent succeeded in breaking up the defence during one counter attack and equalised it.

Great discovery from the game - Kenny has been performed very well as a Last Man/Stopper during the second half. Fast, full of stamina and quick reaction.

Players attended the game - Adrian, Casey, Chin Sing, Edmond, Grant, James, Jimmy, Kenny, Michale, Siew, Spencer, Wan.

Guest - Alex, Mun etc.

Scorer - Mun, Malay guest player.

Alpha Game - Orchid Park Sec (04/10/09)

Guys.....we had done well for this game. After 9 months without a win, we finally rewarded with our first WIN of the year over this Mid-Autumn celebration weekend.

This game created two records for us - our first player - Adrian who got a hatrick during the game and also our highest scoring game so far.

We scored the first goal during the first five minutes through Adrian but opponent equalised it in the last moment of the first half.

We did very well in the initial stage of the second half with Adrian scoring another two and James adding anohter one through long range shoot. At 4:1, we were looking good to finish the game with flying colours. Perhaps can thrash the opponent by bigger margin.

Dramatically, after last man Richard subsititued out and keeper Jimmy swaped with Chee Toong to play upfront, opponent suddenly became a different team which kept on pressurizing our defence in the last 10 - 15 minutes. They were awarded two penalties which they made one and had numerous opportunities to equalize the game.

But with a miracle performance by third choice keeper Chee Toong, we were saved and hang on to the WIN!!! Luck was on our side.

This game highlighted a few old points for us to revisit - the urgency to develop and look for one more reliable last man, alertness to finish the game consistently till the game end and understand that defence is an important element if we want to sustain to win a game.

It is good to have miracle but but we need to make effort to make it more reliable.

Players attended the game : Adrian, Casey, Chee Toong, Chin Seng, James, Jimmy, Kevin, Lim Yong, Nakata, Richard, Siew, Spencer, Wan.

Scorer : Adrian - 3, James - 1.

Alpha Game - Bowen Sec (20/09/09)

Loss marginally by 1 goal.

The game was quite equally matched and we had worked hard to go for a WIN though still not successful yet.

Still left another final quarter to register our first WIN for the season 2009.

Players attended the game : Adrian, Bronson, Chee Toong, Chin Sing, Clement, Desley, Desmond Ng, Jimmy, Kenny, Kevin, Kobayashi, Lim Yong, Lugi, Richard, Sebastian, Siew, Spencer, Wan.

Alpha Game - Temasek Sec (06/09/09)

A fast tempo game on artifical turf with a team filled with a couple of young boys.

Goalless after 90 minutes with both sides had many chances. Dear keeper Edmond once again put up a bravely show and got an head injury in the 85th minutes. Let pray for speedy recovery for him.

Grant had many chances in the first 10 minutes but failed to convert them into goal. Need to polish the finishing better next round.

Anyway, we are back with a DRAW and earned a precious ONE point for ourselves.

Players attended the game : Adrian, Chee Toong, Edmond, Grant, Kevin, Richard, Siew, Wan.

Guest players : Dennis, James, Nakata, Mun, Raymond.

Alpha Game - Bowen Sec (09/08/09)

Another hard fight which saw us only down by two goals. Everyone should have enjoy the game on such a well maintain artificial turf and playing against a good opponent.

Patrick choose to make a come back his first game after long break on this special National Day.

We had numerous outstanding guest players joining us this game especially Gerald who display how an attacking last man can be!!!

Players attended the game : Adrian, Bronson, Casey, Chee Toong, Chin Sing, Grant, Jimmy, Patrick, Richard, Siew, Spencer, Wan.

Scorer : Adrian, Gerald (guest), Kenny (guest)

Alpha Game - Broadrick Sec (26/07/09)

After almost a month break, we come up with a better performance than the national team who loss five zero just a mile away at National Stadium to Liverpool. We managed to score twice though the lossing streak still remain intact and unbroken- beaten one more time 2:5.

Scorer : Adrian, Spencer

Alpha Game - Bedok South Sec (21/06/09)

Beaten again with a respectable scoreline 0:3 (shd be 0:2 if minus off the own goal). Next game should target for not lossing by more than 2 goals, then not more than 1 goals .... then draw .... then start winning .....

We had done what we can (through meeting etc), keep going through more games and more individual training to see when we can get a breakthrough ... challenging task...

Players attended the game : Adrian, Chee Toong, Chin Sing, Edmond, Grant, Jimmy, Kenny, Kevin, Lim Yong, Richard, Siew, Simon, Spencer, Wan.

Alpha Game - East Spring Sec (31/05/09)

First half 0:0, second half turned into high scoring game with 7 of which we conceded 5.

Our best last man Richard and one of our best goal keeper Jimmy played full 90 minutes but still cannot save us from our lossing streak.

We still need to work towards playing more cohesive and focus as a team on consistent basis and every single individual on the field must bear in mind that HE can make a difference to the team overall performance and contribute significantly to the desirious ending result that we wanted to achieve.

Soccer is a team game !!! Each department is important and YOUR every single effort on the field is counted heavily.

Players attended the game : Adrian, Bronson, Chee Toong, Chin Sing, Clement, Grant, Jimmy, Lim Yong, Richard, Siew, Simon, Spencer, Wan. Guest : Desmond, Kenny, Shawn.

Scorer : Kenny (guest), Simon.

Alpha Game - Pei Hwa Sec (17/05/09)

Times fly ... we played our 11th game for 2009 ...

Our strategy "Compact" derived from meeting on 16/05/09 failed to bring us the breakthrough result we hoping for...perhaps Captain needs to call for another meeting involving more players to come out with a refined "Compact 2" strategy.

First half 0:2 followed by 1:1 second half. Winger Spencer scored again and top the scorer list with 5 goals.

James was instrumental in his role as play maker but lack support and understanding with the frontline players to be more effective.

Players attended the game : Adrian, Alex, Casey, Chee Toong, Chin Sing, Grant, Kevin, Lim Yong, Richard, Siew, Simon, Spencer, Trevor, Wan. Guest : James, Kenny.

Scorer : Spencer

Alpha Game - Greenview Sec (10/05/09)

Our third loss for the year at Greenview Sec, our home ground.

It might be home ground pressure that caused us can't have any breakthrough to perform well at our backyard. It was really an underperformance game overall.

Nevertheless, the turnout of player was good, appreciated the commitment of our players and attendance of two guest players - James and Kenny.

Players attended the game : Adrian, Alex, Bronson, Casey, Chee Toong, Chin Sing, Edmond, Grant, Kevin, Lim Yong, Richard, Siew, Wan. Guest : James, Kenny.

Alpha Game - East View Sec (03/05/09)

Leaded 2:0 in the first ten minutes, draw 3:3 at first half, conceded 2 goals in second half and settled with a loss of 3:5. Wat a dramatic game !!!

It was an evenly match game. There were deficiences that we still need to keep working on and improve but generally we should be proud of ourselves for our overall performance. Team work continued crystalising, the key element we lack at the moment is Consistency to end the game how we started it.

Winger Spencer is "hot" this year by netting his fourth goal for the year. Productive stopper Casey scored again in the fourth minute. Derrek, new kid on the block, registerd his first goal on the scoresheet.

Captain Richard missed a golden opportunity with a face off one to one situation with the keeper.

Players attended the game : Adrian, Bronson, Casey, Chee Toong, Chin Sing, Clement, Derrick, Edmond, Jimmy, Lim Yong, Richard, Siew, Simon, Spencer, Trevor, Wan. Guest : Rayson.

Scorer : Casey, Derrick, Spencer.

Alpha Game - Bowen Sec (19/04/09)

Finally we saw some light at the end of the tunnel .....

Finally our striker Alex is back and scored .....

Finally we witnessed Spencer can also score with his head instead of just ....

Finally we realised there are still some "weak" teams in town ....

Leaded 2:0 in early first half but FINALLY still ended with a draw.

Players attended the game : Adrian, Alex, Bronson, Casey, Chee Toong, Clement, Edmond, Jimmy, Kevin, Lim Yong, Richard, Siew, Spencer, Wan. Guest : James

Scorer : Alex, Spencer

Alpha Photo - Team Photo

Game At Bedok North Sec (08/03/09)

Game At Yio Chu Kang Sec (22/03/09)

Alpha Game - Tampines Safra (05/04/09)

Another major loss 6 : 0 to the team we drew 3 : 3 previously at the same venue.

We had been playing against good, strong opponent consecutively over the last three games and though we lost all the games with big margin but the key point is it will keep pushing us to keep on improving in all aspects, mentally, tactically and physically.

We cannot stop in the face of lossing. We need to refresh ourselves and continue onward until we complete the race. Let us give all of us till end of the year to see how far we can go.

By having the correct attitude, those games we lose become lessons which enrich us with experience.

Players attended the game : Adrian, Casey, Chin Sing, Chee Toong, Clement, Derrek, Desmond, Jimmy, Kevin, Siew, Simon, Spencer, Richard, Wan. Guest : Tang

Alpha Thought - Failure

Alpha Game - Yio Chu Kang Sec (22/03/09)

One of our major defeat so far by lossing 0 - 5 to the team (young Malay boys) which we lost 1 - 3 in the previous game at Bedok North Sec.

Eleven players turn up plus one guest player - Ah Heng (Ah Sing's brother in-law). Opponent which consists of young boys came with reserve of 3 - 4. Just imagine how tough it would be.

With much stronger understanding and teamwork among all the players, we work very hard to contain the opponent and only conceded ONE goal by mistake during the first half. We even had a few good chances by our wing play. First half was an even game.

But with our first choice keeper Edmund injured and needed to quit in the 20th minute of second half, it disrupted our flow, and without any reserve, stamina also took a toll on us, the game changed totally and we subsequently conceded 4 goals within the next 20 - 25 minutes.

We didn't really lost to the opponent, we lost to ourselves, no enough stamina to persist till the 90 minutes to keep combating the opponent and no extra reserve turn up for the game for timely substitution.

Despite of the big loss, we played a very good 45 minutes football, we moved and gel as a team both in attack and defence.

Players attended the game - Adrian, Bronson, Casey, Chee Toong, Chin Seng, Edmund, Grant, Siew, Spencer, Wan, Yang Bin. Ah Heng (guest).

Alpha Thought - Winning

Alpha Inspiration - Sea Of Galilee

The difference between the Dead Sea and the very much alive Sea of Galilee is the Dead Sea has no outlet.

Both are fed by the same source but the Dead Sea can only receive an inward flow. The Dead Sea is prevented from flowing outward and the accumulation of salt has killed it. The Sea of Galilee is alive only because what flows in can also flow out.

The metaphor of the Sea of Galilee demonstrates "giving" is a necessary function of thriving and feeling alive.

人生得意须盡欢, 千金撒盡还复来 !

Alpha Game - Bedok North Sec (08/03/09)

A very high tempo game that saw us lost by 2 goals margin. Opponent is another young Malay boys team with better skill and also physically stronger.

We were down by two goals at first half but were able to hold them to a 1 : 1 draw for second half through Adrian's goal.

This game provides us an opportunity to learn how to play under adversity. Opponent is definitely 3 - 4 par above us in terms of skills, stamina etc but with the right tactic and strong team work, we still stand a chance of drawing or even winning the game.

In game, only result count, the challenge and fun is to find the right formula of achieving the desirous result. Generally when opponent is too strong, we can go for cohesive defence and counter attack.

We need to grow and learn as a team in adapting to play against different level of opponent, be it superior or same par to us.

Overall, it is fun and challenging to play competitvely against a good, strong opponent and lossing with a respectable scoreline 1 - 3.

Keeper Edmond was definitely the busiest man on the field but he was coping with the pressure well. Yang Bin re-joining for game after months of break.

Players attended the game - Adrian, Casey, Chee Toong, Chin Sing, Clement, Colin, Edmond, Grant, Jimmy, Kelvin, Lim Yong, Richard, Siew, Spencer, Wan, Yang Bin.

Scorer - Adrian

Alpha Game - Damai Sec (15/02/09)

Twice we were down and twice we came back and levelled up the score at 3:3 and that should exemplified the Alpha spirit.

A re-match with the ITE students which we lost in the previous encounter. But this time, with strong determination under the hot sun, we strike all out and hold them to a draw.

We were down by 1:2 at half time and subsequently got back one through Wan's long range attempt. The most beautiful and classic goal of the game however was created by our stopper, Casey who ran up from backline, picked up a crossover pass and launched a very unexpected, fantastic GOAL near to the penalty box with his left leg.

Both teams missed some opportunities to win the game but it was a fair result.

We displayed much more unity for this game and we should preserve it and made it one of our winning weapon.

Players attended the game - Adrian, Bronson, Casey, Chin Seng, Chee Toong, Clement, Desmond, Grant, Jimmy, Kelvin, Lim Yong, Martin Tsounkeu, Richard, Siew, Wan.

Scorer - Adrian, Casey, Wan

Alpha Game - Greenview Sec (08/02/09)

We lost another home ground battle (Pasir Ris) though each of us had put in 110% effort in the game and play a much better and organised football.

Luck was not on our side as the opponent (ITE student) scored twice through distance shot to turn the game around and won it eventually.

In the absence of prior year top scorer - Alex, our winger Spencer once again took up the scoring role and gave us a one goal lead in the early minutes of first half.

Overall we still need to improve the ability to maintain focus and consistency throughout the 90 minutes. Victory seems near but yet far.

Players attended the game - Adrian, Casey, Chee Toong, Chin Seng, Grant, Jimmy, Kelvin, Lim Yong, Lloyd, Richard, Siew, Simon, Spencer, Wan. Guest players - James, Martin.

Scorer - Spencer

Alpha Humour - Corporate Wisdom

A crow was sitting on a tree, doing nothing all day. A small rabbit saw the crow, and asked him: "Can I also sit like you and do nothing all day long?"

The crow answered: "Sure, why not." So, the rabbit sat on the ground below the crow, and rested. All of a sudden, a fox appeared, jumped on the rabbit and ate him.

Then the crow thought: "Poor rabbit, I forgot to tell him that if you want to do nothing, you must be seated higher."

Alpha Inspiration - No Vacancy

Fred, a clerk in a retail store, was rude to the customers and lazy. On several occasions his boss was about to fire him. But he didn't follow through because of his concern for Fred's wife and children, who would suffer from his dismissal.

One day a regular customer stopped in and noticed that Fred wasn't there. He asked the manager about him and was told that he had taken another job. The customer asked, "Are you planning to replace him?" The manager replied, "No, it isn't necessary. Fred didn't leave a vacancy."

Fred's work was of such poor quality that the business was better off without him.

One good way to test the value of your work is to ask yourself this question: If I left my job, would it create a vacancy?

Whatever you are working on,
Engage in it with zest,
Because your work is for the Lord
And He expects your best---

Alpha Humour - Business Advertisement

A shopkeeper was dismayed when a brand new business much like his own opened up next door and erected a huge sign which read 'BEST DEALS.'

He was horrified when another competitor opened up on his right, and announced its arrival with an even larger sign, reading 'LOWEST PRICES.'

The shopkeeper panicked, until he got an idea. He put the biggest sign of all over his own shop. It read: 'MAIN ENTRANCE'.

On similar note, you might recall what AirAsia did in Singapore when it derided Singapore Airlines' tagline 'Singapore Girls', with its advertisement which reads, "The New Girls in Town, Twice The Fun, Half The Price."

Alpha - Happy Chinese New Year

众望所愿, 牛年大家一起来..... 牛(扭)转乾坤 !

Alpha Game - Greenview Sec (18/01/09)

A very puzzling game.

A promising first half turned out to be a disastrous second half as we got bombared by 4 goals in the next 45 minutes.

This is our second big loss to another Indians team, coincidentally, also play at Pasir Ris. The previous loss was 0 - 3, play at Pasir Ris Crescent Sec.

The veteran Indians team, with only 12 players, play a very tactical game and was composed, skillful and experience.

After the first half which we were much in control of the game, the second half was not what we expected, the opponent turned the game around and took their chances well. We might have been complacent and lost focus.

Players attended the game - Bronson, Casey, Chee Toong, Chin Seng, Desmond, Edmond, Grant, Jimmy, Michael, Richard, Siew, Spencer, Trevor, Wan. Guest player - Martin.

Alpha Inspiration - The Wind And The Sun

The wind and the sun argued one day over which one was stronger. The wind proposed a contest and, seeing an old man walking down the street, set the terms of the bet: whoever could get the man to remove his coat first would win.

The sun agreed and the wind went first. The wind blew, harder and harder until the gusts almost reached tornado force. But the harder the wind blew, the tighter the man clutched his coat.

When the wind gave up, the sun had its chance. The sun shone on the man gently, becoming warmer and warmer until the man, wiping his brow, took off his coat.

The sun told the wind its secret: gentleness and friendliness are stronger than force and fury.

The process of criticism should begin with praise and honest appreciation. "A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down".

Alpha Photo - Tampines Safra (10/01/09)

Here are some of the photos of the night game...

Get ready...

The cheering...

Warming up...

Half time debrief.....

Finalisation.....

Jersey still awaiting players ..... where are you guys ???

Alpha Game - Tampines Safra (10/01/09)

Our vice captain Lim Yong once again lead us with a very encouraging result 3 - 3 for the start of the 2009 season.

Jimmy scored in the early minutes of first half but subsequently due to lapse in concentration, we gave in three goals in a row and ended behind 1 - 3 at half time.

After debriefing during the break, we reorganised and displayed a superb performance at second half by coming back with two goals through Spencer and Mun (guest player).

We created countless chances at the second half. Our super-sub striker Casey had alone missed out three golden scoring opportunities, with two of them were ONE TO ONE with the goalkeeper.

Players like Grant, Wan, Spencer and Adrian also missed out a few good scoring opportunities.

The return of Michale has strenghten and stabilised our defensive combatibility. He also brought in a few distinguished guest players with the purpose of raising our overall standard, especially the dynamic and skillful Last Man.

Players attended the game - Adrian, Casey, Chee Toong, Chin Seng, Edmond, Grant, Jimmy, Lim Yong, Michael, Siew, Spencer, Wan. Guest players - Mun, James, Goh, Michin.

Scorer - Jimmy, Spencer, Mun (guest)

不经一番寒刺骨, 那得梅花扑鼻香.

Alpha Humour - Airman Lloyd

Airman Lloyd was assigned to the orientation centre, where he advised new recruits about their government benefits, especially their Serviceman Insurance. It wasn't long before Captain Spencer noticed that Airman Lloyd was having a staggeringly high success-rate, selling insurance to nearly 100% of the recruits he advised. Rather than ask about this, the Captain stood at the back of the room and listened to Lloyd's sales pitch.

Lloyd explained the basics of the Serviceman Insurance to the new recruits, and then said : "If you have Serviceman Insurance and go into battle and are killed, the government has to pay $200,000 to your beneficiaries. If you don't have Serviceman Insurance, and you go into battle and get killed, the government only has to pay a maximum of $6,000. Now," he concluded "which group do you think they are going to send into battle first?"