Ossan Power Won Us Third Place In Futsal

"Orera ha mada genki de 

wakaimono ni ha makezaize!!!"

Nizam

sweeper of Kanasara FC

My first medal in futsal in my life!

So, the story started a fortnight ago. I got a Facebook message from Lai my junior, inviting me to join their futsal team in the annual MSAJ All-Japan Sports Tournament 2013, organised by the Malaysian Students' Association in Japan (MSAJ). As the organiser's name suggest, this tournament is mainly meant for students, but as the rules stated, it is open to all Malaysians.

It has been many moons since I last kicked a ball, yet alone play a proper futsal game. My stamina level is at its lowest point. Yet, I agreed to join team Kanasara FC for this tournament because I just cannot stop my urge to kick some balls haha. The team got its name from a combination of two words - KANAgawa (because almost all of us live and work in Kanagawa prefecture) and SARAriman (salaryman, a common term to refer to white-collared employees in Japan).

Team Kanasara FC. Front row: Lai, Boon, Mohan (GK), Chen Zhun; back row: Nizam, Nantha, Calvin, Nik.

We went into this tournament, not only without a single practice session, we did not even know who our teammates were until the very morning of the tournament lol! But like how Nizam put it, all we got was ossan (wife) power. Well, not all of us 'coz there are still some who are single and *ehem* available (read: me) haha!

Anyway, we had nothing to lose and to be honest, the furthest I thought we would go is to play all three group games, and that's it. Lets face it, we are working salaryman who hardly work out, and would be up against our opponents who are all students and much younger than us. In terms of stamina and skills, we are not match to these kids who are fitter and faster than us. So, in this kind of situation, what would you do?

 Mohan, probably the best keeper of the tournament. Playing handball during his student days certainly gave him an advantage.

We used our experience and played with our head, which worked to our advantage in the end. In the three group games, we won one (3-1) and drew the other two (3-3 and 1-1). In all three games, we conceded first and later played the catching up game. That lead to Nantha suggesting that perhaps we should concede first in our next game since we are that good in coming back in a game lol! 

Our group games put us second in our group, and we got the champions two years ago - the Embassy of Malaysia team in the quarterfinals. Again, we were the underdogs and conceded the first goal in the first few minutes after the whistle was blown. However, it was team Kanasara FC who progressed to the semifinal match at the final whistle, winning the game 2-1.

One of our group matches.

At that point, we started to believe that perhaps, perhaps we could just go all the way to the final after all. However, we lost by a single goal, but that was not the end of the road. We still had the third-placing match, and it was against Tsukuba FC, the team we lost in the quarterfinals last year. Revenge was part of the theme in that match. It was a tight game and both teams went all out, wanting last medal on offer.

Miraculously, for the first time in the tournament, we scored first and led 1-0. We went into the second half trying to protect the slim but precious advantage and everything was looking like it was going according to our plan. But you know, it is always at these kind of situation that I tend to make things turn dramatic. With only thirty seconds to the final whistle, the winger of the opponent team crossed deep into the penalty box, which was missed by Mohan our keeper. I slid in, in a desperate attempt to clear the ball away from the danger zone, mistimes my slide and the ball ended up at the back of the net. Yes, I just scored a goal. An own goal. A goal that took away victory from my team with less than a minute to go.

 When it comes down to penalty shootout, the goalkeepers will either be hero or zero.

I knew I would never be able to concentrate on the game and I substituted myself out off the game immediately. And about twenty seconds later, the final whistle was blown and we went into the penalty shootout. It was the best of three and the first takers scored from both teams scored from the spot. Chen Zhun was our second taker and he confidently put the back at the back of the net. The second kicker of our opponent then hit the bar, giving us a 2-1 lead. Nantha was our third and final taker and he knew he will be the hero if he could score from his kick. Unfortunately, his kick went straight to the middle of the goalmouth and the keeper pushed it away. 

The scored remained 2-1 to our advantage and it was the third and final kick for our opponent. We will go into the sudden death if our opponent scored and make it 2-2. While some of us had started to whisper among ourselves, who to take the forth kick, I just told them confidently, "We don't need a forth taker. Lets believe in Mohan". And I think he heard us, and he saved the last kick! We were in jubilation! Our third place was confirmed and we celebrated as if we have won the tournament. 

The knockout phase of the upper bracket. We never thought we would ended up in this half lol!

Indeed, it was a great experience with such a lovely team members. Everyone did their part. Boon the hardworking caption, Nik who scored in every single matches, Mohan with his incredible reflex saves, Nantha the controls the engine room (and who will forget his inch-perfect loop to Nik), Nizam who manages the dynamic of the team from inside and outside the field, Lai who made that brilliant assist for the winning goal in the quarterfinal, Chen Zhun with his tireless run along the wing, and finally, yours truly who scored the own goal in the final game to give some drama to the match lol!

Actually, I scored the equalising goal in the first game as well, and it was actually a great goal; a cannon to the top right corner from a corner kick. Haha, vain I know, praising myself here but really, it was a good goal lol! Lastly but not forgetting, special thanks to our beloved manager, who was our time-keeper, pom-pom girl, kit man, and make sure we get refreshments during the break.

I think our team was the most excited when we step to take our medals and hampers lol!

Terima kasih daun keladi, 

Tahun depan kita menang lagi!

Futsal & Makan-Makan In Kamata

"Futsal will always be my first love."

 Ronaldo

"Fishing" during the lectures at the job training is something we do, although we try to make sure that doesn't happen as much as possible. Probably it's due to the fact that we are mentally as exhausted as our physical state. Then, there was one day during our break time, that someone mentioned about having some sports session together. She believes we need to move our body a little bit to keep our body refreshed and able to concentrate more at work.

And so, we planned to have a futsal game together among us who are at the same job training place. It was tough to gather enough people for the futsal game initially, so I came out with a brilliant idea of inviting some of my Malaysian friends to join as well. Everyone was supportive and in the end, we managed to gather almost twenty of us for the game. 

I was in Team #3, and we waited as Team #1 played against Team #2 in the first game.

Here comes another wave of attack.

YamaP trying to dribble past ten players!

Opponent was ready to take the corner kick, yet the defender and the goalkeeper still got time to play lai lai li tham plong haha wtf!.

The futsal was played at Jexer Futsal Club in Kamata, in Ōta Ward, west Tokyo. The court was at the rooftop of a nine-story building and it was a blessing that the weather was absolutely great. 

The game starts at three for two hours but we didn't have time to really get to know each other. It was partly my fault because I didn't introduce the both sides to each other in the beginning. And when my Japanese friends asked my Malaysian friends where they come from, each of them answered "Malaysia", "Malaysia", "Malaysia" and "Malaysia". My Japanese friends thought that we had gone to the wrong place lol!

Where is the ball?

Takahashi, the girl in white t-shirt used to play football during her high school days. And he played the goalkeeper position!

Another goal went in. Ten-zero.

Anyway, we didn't wanna waste time once we were at the court. We quickly formed three teams, each with six players and played a five-minute game for each game. Everyone was clearly lack of exercise and we knew having a game more than five minutes will not be a wise idea. Even by playing just five minutes each game, everyone was already gasping for air and water after a while haha!

There were exceptions though - Suzuki who came in high heels and Samitha who came with his Hawaiian style attire and wore a pair of sandals there. So, we decided to make Suzuki the unofficial referee-cum-time-keeper-cum-photographer-ball-girl-cum-spokesperson. As for Samitha, he was our manager, for all three teams lol!

Two hours came and gone as we had great fun kicking the ball around. Although we started playing without knowing each other much, that was secondary because everyone somehow managed to click together during and after the game. In fact, some of my Japanese friends remember some of the Malaysians' name better than me lol! I'm glad that everyone seemed to have enjoyed themselves and hopefully there will be more of this kind of sports session in the future.

 Group photo with our manager, Samitha, in dark glasses in the middle haha! 



Oosugi was having his shower when we took the group photo and this is his reaction when he returns to the court lol!

After the game, our plan to have dinner in Shinjuku was canceled and the venue was shifted to Kamata, as everyone was already gathered there after the futsal game. Fortunately, Tajima, the pro in getting a good spot for makan-makan session, was there with us and we let him settle the reservation and everything.

Food this time was great, in fact we'd probably spent too much time talking that there were some leftovers in the end. Good thing this time nobody got drunk unlike the previous time, and we proceeded to the second party as we had Shida who joined us later that evening. After the second party, some decided to go for the third one, at karaoke. When they play, these people really play hard. Unfortunately for this uncle (read: me) and a few other, we decided to call it a day after the second session.

First makan session - from left, Suzuki, Kanai, Onodera, Oosugi, Miura, Takahashi.

First makan session - from left, Samitha, Suzuki, Tajima and Masubuchi.

The manager and the referee, plus our kanji (幹事) king in the middle lol!

Second session was at a basement restaurant which has a great ambiance.

Oosugi was the fortune teller of the night as he tried to read our palms the whole evening lol!

Finally, one group photo at the end of the makan-makan session.

It's already Sunday and time to recharge for another new week. However, I can't wait for this week come to an end, because we already have some wonderful plan come this Saturday. So, stay tuned to find out where are we going. A hint here - it is outside Tokyo and involves good food!

Celebrating My 25th Birthday

"And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. 

It's the life in your years."

Abraham Lincoln

Turning a quarter of a century old is not as monumental as turning twenty-one. Nevertheless, my fifth birthday in Japan for the past six years (last year I got to celebrate my birthday in Taiping as I extended my spring holiday due to the 3/11 earthquake) was indeed a great day because of several reasons. Firstly, it was the first time in my life to have such a huge attendees to my birthday - there were almost one hundred people who came to Yoyogi Park last Saturday morning. 

But guess what, the reason they went was actually for the MSAJ-JAGONG Hanami gathering. I was only pandai-pandai syiok sendiri by self-declaring that the gathering was for my birthday haha wtf! However, since it falls on the same day as my birthday, I see no harm in having a combo celebration, right lol!

First time to see so many Malaysians at a hanami gathering in Tokyo.



Crystal Mama, Amy and Vincent.

JAGONG stands for "Japan Graduates of Nothing Good". It is an online kopitiam where all the "dropouts" who had relations with Japan gather and talk. Well, that was what the Chairman, Mr Chuah told us in his short speech. The Jagong Forum will strive to provide a flexible, user friendly platform to connect all types of Malaysian graduates from Japan over the last 50 years, current Malaysian students in Japan, as well as Malaysians with connections to Japan in one form or another (taken from JAGONG Facebook page).

Sticking to a practice that is fast becoming a must-do thing in MSAJ's events nowadays, there was a cake cutting ceremony. Although it was not for my birthday, but at least there was still not one, but two cakes there. Just let me syiok sendiri kao kao in this entry, alright? Haha!

Mr Chuah Yeon Hang, the Chairman of JAGONG and Lai Chai Ei, the current President of MSAJ cutting the cakes at the upacara perasmian.

The hanami gathering was like in the previous years, but this time there were much more varieties of food, many thanks to the committee who went to get them from Chiba's very own pasar borong - Costco haha! There were snacks, muffins, soft drinks, fruit juices, and the best of all, Malaysian meal bento sets. Too bad they were limited to students only.

One interesting thing however was that our mats were placed under a pine tree. So, technically it wasn't a hanami (花見), but more to a happami (葉っぱ見) lol! Instead of picnicking under the cherry blossoms, we sat under the pine tree while watching its needle leaves lol!

Therefore, I went to look for cherry blossoms after I was bored looking at the pine tree haha!



Beautiful sakura from the tree bark
 

Just like two years ago, there was a photography competition with the theme "Spring". Kai Cung and I thought about trying our luck in the competition and hence, we went around the park to get our perfect shots for the competition. It was never an easy thing to capture the people and the atmosphere that has that "umph" feeling and knowing that just submitting photos of the cherry blossoms will only make our entry similar like the other, we went for something different.

Both our entries were kinda bidan terjun 'coz we finished our shooting at the last couple of minutes and submitted them just on time.

My entry, which shows the three stages of cherry blossom.

Kai Cung's submission, with the theme "Lets Spring".

So, came the result announcement. Up until the third prize, our names were not called and I thought probably I'll have have better luck next time. However, when they announced the prize for the second place, which was a Sony digital photo frame, I said I don't need that as I already have one unused one at home. And you guessed it correctly; the next thing to happen was to hear my name as the second-prize winner lol! 

Kai Cung won the first prize and it gave him the opportunity to taunt me, by boasting the fact that he beat me again in the photo competition =.=|| Judging from the two photos above, which one you think deserves to be the winner?

Me with the digital photo frama and book coupon, Kai Cung with his camera bag, and Shei Pien with her earphone from the lucky draw.

His prize was a Lovepro photo sport camera sling bag, but since he already have one, we did a sistem barter and exchanged our prizes, although it wasn't Christmas haha! Ohh yea, by the way, did I mentioned there was a few lucky draw sessions and lady luck must be smiling at me as I won a 1,000 yen book coupon. 

So, it was not a bad day, as I got two huge "pressies" on my birthday at the hanami gathering. 

With my juniors from Chiba University.

Only three of us from my batch, plus Viona. They insisted me to stand straight lol!



There is at least a two-decade age gap within this group. 

Later that evening, Crystal senpai had prepared a birthday dinner-cum-farewell for both Michael and me. This was indeed something that made me feel very special. Unlike the usual style of having party at her place, this time we had our dinner outside. While waiting for everyone to arrive, we went to Crystal senpai's place to chill out.

Crystal Mama was busying at the kitchen when we arrived there. I later realised that she was in the middle of baking a cheese cake, specially for my birthday. It was only her second attempt at baking a cheese cake from scratch and it turned out to be not bad!

Kai Cung playing Super Mario with Kevin.

Crystal Mama at the kitchen, checking out if the cake is done.

We had our dinner at Volks, a restaurant that specialises in steak. It was the very first restaurant group in Japan that provides "salad bar" and today, it also offers "soup bar" and "bread bar". "Bar" basically means you can eat-all-you-want or in other words, buffet-style servings.

Most of the dishes are above 1,000 yen but considering the salad bar, bread bar and soup bar (depending on your order) that comes together with your meal, it was certainly a place worth trying. I especially love the variety of freshly baked breads, hot from the oven.

 A great place to try some sizzling steaks.

Colourful salad as appetizers.

Grilled chicken tricolour sauce (green steak, red capsicum, nut curry).

Super delicious breads. Fluffy like pillows haha!

Desert after the main meal. The seedless grapes were just too sweet.

The dinner was not something grand. I've always had simple birthday celebrations. However, it was everyone's presence on my birthday that makes everything special.

Though this year has been a bit of whirlwind, encountering a few ups and emotional letdowns, I continue to be humbled by God's loving grace. I am bound to always give thanks to Him for all the wonderful and unspeakable gifts. The gift of life, that of my family and my friends are what that give the simplest of joys. I can sincerely feel the warmth of your love and friendship.

Group photo at the dinner.



Crystal Mama and Windell Papa.

Kai Cung, my ex-housemate whom I've lived with for the past two years. Thanks for bearing to all my craps and sampat-ness until today haha!

 Yew Keong, Amy and Michael, who has left for New York for his work training.

I truly appreciate the little things you guys, especially Crystal Mama and Windell Papa have thought of to make my birthday even more special. Crystal Mama, thanks for the wonderful cheese cake. Windell Papa, thanks for going around just to look for the lighter and candles. And also not forgetting, thanks for treating us to such a fantastic dinner. It was truly awesome!

And also not forgetting, all the greetings and well-wishes over my Facebook wall. One surprising thing is that I didn't get a single test message on my birthday. You guys forget my phone number already is it? Hahaha!

  Five candles on my birthday day, 'coz there were only five candles in the packet lol! 



Doesn't matter how old I am, having people to sing birthday song is always something exciting.

 Super funny way to block the wind while I make my birthday wish, that is to have two girlfriends, three wives and four kids (according to Michael) lol wtf!

 Cake cutting and makan session followed after making my super greedy wish haha!

 My slice of the home-baked cheese cake on my birthday.

I Skyped with my Mom a day earlier and she revealed that they were actually planning to surprise me by sending me a birthday card from Malaysia. However, she cancelled her plan because she thought it was just to troublesome to send a card all the way to Tokyo. "Just a card only, so no need-lar hor?" =.=||

Damn potong stim, but at least she's being honest about it haha!

Football Game With A National Player

"In football you have an adversary;

in cinema that adversary is yourself."

Eric Cantona,

former French international footballer

Yup, I kid you not; we played bola with a Malaysian player, in Japan recently.

About a couple of weeks ago, the Malaysian students in Yokohama expressed their wish to have a friendly football match with us in Chiba. After all the arrangements were made, the Chiba-ians (pun unintended) agreed to be the host and the venue for the game was at Fukuda Denshi Square, near Soga Station.

This is Fukuda Denshi Arena, the home venue to JEF United in the J-League Division 2, which has a capacity of 18,500 seats.

United Park, where the fans can purchase the team's official merchandise.

Fukuda Denshi Square, which has artificial pitch for football, futsal and rugby.

It was raining since the previous night until the next morning of the day we were suppose to have our friendly match. I was complementing, whether or not to join the rest for the game. You know, in winter, with the rain, coldness and everything, you will sometimes just choose to tug yourself under the warm and comfortable futon. I think and think and think, and finally, something just told me that I will missed out something if I skip this game.

We dropped by at Abang Razali's house first to have a simple breakfast. But it was actually not really a simple one. Kak Shadnie made us fried bihun, fried udon, keropok ikan, budu, karipap, and a few more other food. That is not a simple breakfast at all isn't it? That is in fact, a full course breakfast, which certainly pumped us up to give our best in the game haha!

Abang Razali, trying to get pass Amir during a short warming up session before the game. 



Pre-game team briefing by Abang Fadhil who is our player-cum-manager.

A team photo before the game started. Not often to see Liverpool and Manchester United in the same team haha!

So, during our makan makan session, I overheard someone saying there would be a Malaysian player joining us in the friendly game. Initially, I thought I heard that wrongly; but after confirming that, it was indeed true. So, wondering who is that player? I'll firstly give a hint first; he used to play for Perak state team early in his career.

It was one of the rare times where we not only get to met up with a Malaysian football player, but we also get to play in the same team with him. How much cooler can that be, kan? Before the start of the game, we had one player wearing red, whom I shook his hands. He looks familiar, but I didn't really try to find out who he was.

 Launching another attack towards the opponent's half in the first half.

Another random shot from the first half.

The game between the two teams - Team Chiba Warriors and Yokohama United started despite the slight rain.

We played quite well; passing and movements went pretty smooth, despite the fact we never trained together at all. First half ended with the home team leading the Yokohama boys by two goals to one. I was the culprit in allowing the opponents to score their one goal. I carelessly lost the ball possession in the midfield, which led to a quick counter attack from them and a goal.

Calling Sir Alex in UK to get some strategy tips for the second half haha wtf!

Leading by just one goal, we stuck to the same game plan in the second half. As the game wore off, exhaustion was evident in most of the players. It was certainly not easy to play in a cold weather where the temperature doesn't get beyond ten degree Celsius. At one point in the middle of the second half, only I remember that we had a Malaysian national player playing with us as well.

So, as the game was played, I looked around the players on the pitch, and finally managed to spot him.

I was the centre-half for the game and here, trying to clear a ball from an advancing opponent.

Free kick, which went wide. But like Z said, what's important is got style. Whether the ball hits the net or not is a different story haha!

Both trying to control the ball while closing the eyes lol!

And here you are, the national player I mentioned earlier. Even his walking alone looks professional.

It was Liew Kit Kong, who started his professional career with Perak state team and represented Malaysia from 1999 to 2005, in which he scored a couple of goals in the semifinals of 2004 Tiger Cup against Indonesia. He has won almost all competitions in Malaysian football - Malaysia Cup (Perak, 2000), FA Cup (Perak, 2004), Premier League (Naza FC, 2008), Super League (Selangor, 2010) and also individual award as favourite striker award of FAM football awards in 2008. He was also the top goal scorer in the Premier League in that season, with 16 goals.

It was really cool to be able to meet with him in person, because I still remember seeing him playing in the yellow Perak jersey every Saturday on TV when he was representing Perak. I was only thirteen or fourteen back then. Who'd expected that ten years later, I am playing in the same team with the very same player.

This is how an engineer take a photo. Nice posture, Abang Razali haha!

The game ended 3-1 to the home team. Winning or losing was not the main thing, because we were all already super hungry to return to the International House as a makan session was waiting for us in the afternoon haha!

We had some chats with Kit Kong during the makan session and we managed to ask him dressing-room kinda questions; those questions and stories which normally aren't reported in the news. He also shared some interesting stories, his experience with the state teams and national team. Now I know why he left Perak for Kedah for one season, before returning to Perak eventually. Apparently, he couldn't get along well with the then Perak coach, M. Karathu.

Everyone was dead tired at the end of the game, but we all had great fun.

And now I know why Perak was successful in the late 90's and early 2000, when the German Karl-Heinz Weigang was the coach. A former Malaysian coach from 1979 to 1982, he was a no-nonsense person and all the players, no matter how good the player is, fear him. According to Kit Kong, every time they hear the sound made by Weigang's leather shoes, they knew he was reaching the dressing room very soon and the whole room will turn to total silent. That is how much discipline the German has instilled in the players.

Any players who thinks they are above the team, will be shown the exit door, and one good example was László Répási from Hungary. Although he was signed in the middle of the season, he ended up being the top scorer in 1997. However, he is kinda a selfish player, who loves to over-do his dribbling and ended up losing the ball possessions to the opponent during the game, although the coach has instructed the team to stick to three-touch rule.

Team Chiba Warriors, all in smile after winning the battle. I do think the breakfast really helped us a lot lol!

So, during a training session one day, Weigang asked him to get pass 22 players since he thinks he can dribbles like Lionel Messi. As expected, he failed to do that, and on the next day, he terminated his contract lol! Also, Weigang apparently has some of anak emas (golden son) in the Perak team; Azrul Amri Burhan and Chan Wing Hoong are among his lovable players. They are the players whom he will just listen to their opinions (team play, strategies, etc.) most of the time.

It was certainly very interesting to hear to these kind of stories and I really look forward to play with Kit Kong again next time.

The players from the two teams, posing for a group photo at the end of the game, with the Fukuda Denshi Arena at the background.

Thanks a lot everyone who was involved in the game and the makan session that followed. I guess I will miss the people in Chiba a lot!