Futbalitis FC at UMNO CUP 2011

This year’s UMNO Games (fondly known as KUMOSC) was somewhat refreshing for us as the parent political movement summoned their junior underlings to rename the mentioned event into Sukan Kelab 1 Malaysia as a stand for unity amongst Malaysian undergraduates here in Moscow.

After finishing a promising 3rd in the RFL, mind you it’s our first outing as a team since Kursk Games 2010, and the lads decided to give it one more shot at the elusive Gold as the Intervarsity Games (SIG 2011) edges closer. Any form of encouragement here is more than welcomed as things were looking pretty dull back at hockey camp; restricted training hours, trouble with management and poor attendance at 7.30am every Sunday. The holy tri-factor and things needed to be shaken up pretty bad, the UMNO Games provided us with an opportunity to do so.

FC Futbalitis were rather fortunate to be drawed into a group with 2 unseeded M1 teams and 1 team from St.Petersburg(our guests from a distant land). Tourney format was rather interesting as well, group stages divided into 2 legs from which we benefited pretty well. On the 13th of March, the first leg took off at our beloved Sports Complex and we faced off against Yong Peng and Atoi Punn FC from M1. Despite the opponents having a formidable line-up, the lads made little effort in trampling all over them 2-0 and 5-0 respectively. The scoreline didn’t really reflect on our gameplay as Dalvin lamented not to exert or injure ourselves in the build up to the SIG.

Despite guaranteeing ourselves Quarter-Finals berth, our concerns shifted to Group C and our potential opponents in the eliminations. No one here knows how good St.Pete’s boys are going to perform and neither are we going to risk playing against formidable rivals such as CFC if we won the group stages. Dalvin was left with a daunting task and 2 weeks to decide what should we do ?? Do we throw the game and pave our way from 2nd or take our chances at the perch..

Of course, this was all presumed based on the scoreboards and the wisdom of our not-too-wise Captain, Dalvin Kreer. Clearly we were all skeptical with this conspiracy theories and plots for world domination but I ain’t going to be the one facing up to him to protests his dumb ideas. This plan might go up into smoke if our Messi, Torres and Ronaldo misfires at the knock-outs, not gonna look good for the books I say.

As the 2nd weekend arrives, the Games officially commenced with opening speeches from our beloved Dean Bespaliuk G.N. and Head of the Sports Facility etc. Our dilemma was yet to meet an answer as the green boys from St.Pete’s looked decent but their gameplay was heavily affected by the 10hr train ride earlier that morning.

To lose or not to lose, that is the question…Hamlet got it easy.

After much debate, we danced our way into the courts and performed our very own theatrical ourselves as we continuously fed the opponents head on in front of goal but to no avail. We came close to opening the deadlock with Dalvin’s accidental left foot clearance from his defensive line which nearly found the net. The score stood at 0-0 at half time and losing a game on purpose was something we were all new to and the question at the back of everybody’s mind was, HOW DO WE LOSE ??

Rajdave, not relying on our bogus antics decided to shuffled sideways as a harmless ball came towards him. The whole zal was in awe, how did RSMU’s #1 Goalkeeper miss that ?? 1-0 and the game proceeded until Rahul’s absent-mindedness got the better of him when the opponent performed a reverse panna on him, 360 and ran all the way to double the scoreline.

We lost. Objective complete. Rahul was to be blamed. We remain happy.

The Quarters was a whole new ball game, we had to spring our game into a whole new level as we faced against MAI’s #2 team. This game was fast, I mean really fast as the MAI boys were a lot smaller and agile. Anand was a tad unlucky to pick up a severe injury in this match as his busted knee took him out completely and left him limping. To add insult to injury, our attacking line was firing blanks on this particular occasion and the Captain took matters into his own hands. Dalvin blasted a hat-trick past the boys in blue with a hairline with a 3-2 win and this secured us a semi-final berth against MAI #1. As they say, out of the pot and into the fire..

MAI #1, always in yellow, well-known for elite futsal abilities and they were constant performers under pressure. A game filled with biased calls and unsporting gestures which marred our harmonious balance as well. Regardless, the lads knew what we needed to do exactly which was to take an early lead and protect it at all cost. Few minutes into the 1st half, the lil’ Chiquito surprised the entire zal by netting the 1st goal after a low cross from Rahul. Moments later, a foul outside the penalty box left Desh with little to do to convert our 2nd goal. 2-0 up against the favourites and we were smooth sailing. As the hype caught up to us, we conceded 2 goals which tied the game. Midway into the 2nd half, Chiquito did a brilliant lay-up for Desh to smash in #3 and the game came to an end.

We celebrated as though we had won the tournament and I dare say, beating 2 favourites back to back reserves us the right to do so. In the final, we were destined to meet M1′s Kaki Bangku team which is naturally filled with their sculpted varsity players. After a hefty tea-time break, the game resumed an hour later which was rather exhausting for the lads.

The Final proceeded and might I say, this has to be the cleanest and most beautiful futsal portrayed by both sides. There were no fouls, no bad calls, no cheap tricks what so ever. Deemed finalists and worthy to be champions in my books as M1′s finest took an early 2-0 lead back to back after unfortunate deflections which got the better of Rajdave. We didn’t give up nor back down, we came all the way and we ain’t settling for another silver piece without a scar to show for. Despite the early game mishap, Rajdave proved to be our best player with his fine saves all over the court. We managed to pull 2 back through Rahul and Desh. A 3rd for the opponents left us trailing once more and time was running out for us. It was an intense final and we didn’t emerge as victors this time but we managed to hold our own against 3 strong teams here in Moscow.

In the prize-giving ceremony, representatives from the Malaysian High Embassy paid a visit and presented us with our winnings. 1000 roubles and silver medals.

Despite the loss, our moods were definitely lifted thanks to Dalvin’s encouraging words at the end. As far as I know, this isn’t our swan song yet and we’ll definitely come back for more !!

Thank you FC Futbalitis for allowing me to grace the courts with you guys and claiming the medals, glory and more importantly…companionship.

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