We are the CHAMPIONS... (!!!)

Wo! Wo! Wo!!!

Limbang Park FC emerged as the champions of the street soccer competition organised by Al-Falah Mosque! Wo! Heh... so yeah... it was great. We met our counterpart Oo-Un Nom during the semi-finals. Sorry guys, we screwed during the preliminaries (having lost a match and drawing two others) thus emerging as the 2nd place in our group. And you guys won all the matches in your preliminaries (wo! scoring 10 and having no goals conceded). And since you guys emerged as the champions of your group, you had to meet us during the semis.

If only Limbang Park FC had emerged as the champions for Group B, we will be meeting the 2nd placed team in Group A. But oh well...!

So, Nadhirah, being our star player for Limbang Park FC(Wo!) we won the match against Oo-Un Nom FC 3-1. But, we all know, that both of us are winners, as it seems that Oo-Un Nom is more deserving. Man, they like won all their preliminary matches and scored 10 goals while conceding none(!), all thanks to their star player, Nurul who is also the topscorer of the whole competition. CONGRATULATIONS(!!!!!), man! So Limbang Park FC is not really a formidable team Nad! Hahahahahaha! Hee hee.

So... it was kinda shitty that we met during the semis, cos all of us were planning and imagining a final between Limbang Park FC and Oo-Un Nom FC. But it's ok, cos we both know that we're all champions... cos we are A TEAM! We be representin' Limbang, the home turf! The only reason we had to have two teams was that we wanted everyone of us to join in the fun! And we did have fun!

Oo-Un Nom FC won the 3rd place, defeating, sorry, can't recall the name of the team (too long!).

The finals was nail-biting. It was against 11th Hour. They were the team who beat us during the preliminaries. With the support given by Oo-Un Nom and the rest of the other teams... we went in the match just thinking of the best. We just played our game. Before that Limbang Park FC and Oo-Un Nom FC gathered to read the Al-Fatehah verse (heheh). And I silently prayed to God that for this final match, I should live up to my nickname of Captain and do something to help my team... For the sake of Oo-Un Nom, us, my parents, our parents and everyone else. So I went in and tried to play my best. There were a lot of body checks. Kinda lose my temper once, when I body-checked a girl and she exclaimed "Eh!!!" and I returned it with an "Eh!!!!!!!!!!" 10,000 decibels louder. Heh. It was amazing. Oo-Un Nom cheering us on. And the rest of the teams(tho' they took a neutral stand and cheered both teams simultaneously). I thought, we can't lose another time. Not this time. And the goal came. They scored. I saw the look of disappointment in Oo-Un Nom's faces... but they kept urging us on, encouraging us. I was enlightened. Then it came. There was kind of a tussle between me and Nadhirah at the centre of the opponent's D, and I praise God that he answered my prayers... I managed to kick the ball straight and... IN IT WENT!

EQUALIZER!!!

I saw the look on my fellow comrades. The joy in their eyes. Urging us that this is not over, and get the winning goal.

2nd half... still a draw of 1-1. We got a penalty. I took the penalty. Calmed myself down. Brought the ball to the mid-line... and took a shot.

Keeper saved.

I was disappointed and had no shame in showing it. The word disappointment is plastered all over my face. I wanted to save the team. Really did. Not doing this for me, but for the team, for Oo-Un Nom!

And then, they got a penalty.

I closed my eyes. Real tight. I don't want to see that girl take a shot on goal. No. I don't want to.

Heard her kick the ball, opened my eyes, dunno if she missed or if Aslin saved the ball. But I was exhilarated! A new ray of hope.

I fought hard. We all did. Each and every member of my team.

*Whistle*

Like most nail-biting finals, the match had to be pushed to extra time.

Encouragements were showered onto us by fellow Oo-Un Nom comrades, especially Nurul, Nadrah and Cik Puss! Thanks guys! I love you guys!

And then the extra-time started... Was still a draw... then the time came. I shouted to Nadhirah for the ball. She passed the ball to me. I took a look at the goalpost before taking a shot. I saw the ball reaching for the high-post. Thinking it will be deflected out, I turned and looked down in dismay. Then I heard screamings of joy! I looked up. Oo-Un Nom were jumping up and down, shouting in joy and seemed to be celebrating. Suddenly I heard cheerings all over. I saw Nadhirah running over to hug me. I turned.

The ball was in. It was deflected IN.

God answered my prayers!

I saved the team. We are the champions! It was exhilarating. I hugged Nadhirah. I went over and hugged my team-mates... I dunno why, I was so happy I ran over and shook hands with all the other girls surrounding the court. Except Suhaila Salam. Hah! When I reached her, I took down my hands! Hee. I dunno why I'm so bitchy sometimes. Then I continued to shake the hands of the other girls. Mouthing and saying countless "Thank yous" and "Terima Kasih-s" to them. For all their support. It was tremendous!

Then I saw Oo-Un Nom calling me over wanting to give me congratulatory(sp?) hug... I jogged over and hugged Nurul and Cik Puss! I was overjoyed!!!

Got out of the court, called my Mom straightaway. Heh! She was more concerned that we're not winning any prize money(!!! - hahaha!) but no doubt that I knew she was happy and proud of me and all of us.

My friends congratulated me and the rest of us.

It was super!!!

And I just want to say that street soccer is all about teamwork. Everyone has to play a part to win a game. It is a joint effort. Nadhirah for scoring most of the goals. Firah for being an efficient last man. Aslin for being an almost invincible keeper, despite the injuries(whoops!). Khad for being our playmaker. Nurul for being the saviour of Oo-Un Nom. Nadrah the undisputed defensive midfielder. Azura the hardworking last man whose man-mark capabilities is top-class. Cik Puss for being the Ronaldo of the team, who actually scored a goal during the 3rd-4th placing even tho' it was eventually ruled not counted, heh. Shit happens! Shad, Oliver Kahn in the making, preying on each ball with much initiative! I think for a first-time keeper, you're almost as invincible as Aslin!

Thus each and every of us are champions. Oo-Un Nom too, they are the real champions. Their invincibility. The semis obviously don't count! Both Limbang Park FC and Oo-Un Nom FC are CHAMPIONS!

We got a cup which resembled the World Cup, heh, so... it has to be returned next year for the next street soccer competition. We have 10 months. There are 10 of us. We're going to rotate on who is going to keep the cup. For now, it's safe at my house, near Limbang. Our soil. Our home. Our field. Our turf.

PIERCING OF NOSE

I pierced my nose. Finally! One step to being the next Mutya Buena and already Agnes Monica in the making! Wo! Anyways went back home, showed Mom the cup. She was really happy. All smiley. I was waiting for a comment from her about my piercing, but she was just smiling while looking at the cup. I tried to slant my head to the right. Then she saw it. She let out an exasperated sigh. Said a few exasperated words, then all is ok! Heh.

Today is great, great, great, G R E A T!

Super.

12 June 2004 will always remain in my memory.

I have always replayed the fantasy of my team winning a competition, and me playing a part in helping the team win, in my head, over and over again. Today, it happened. Words just can't suffice to describe the feelings that I'm feeling right now.

LIMBANG PARK FC
AND
OO-UN NOM FC
=
JOINT-CHAMPIONS
OF THE
2004 AL-FALAH SISTAS' STREET SOCCER COMPETITION !!!


p/s: My digital camera is spoilt, so sorry that I can't post up pictures of the street soccer event and my piercings. I can't and didn't even bring it over for the competition. *sigh*