Cage Attack!

Yes yes, this is not only bad news but really bad bad news and this calls for blog time(after so long...)! The team's cage have been visited by boots and shinpad thief/thieves over the weekend (and maybe the weekdays too) after POL-ITE ended last Monday. Shasha lost both her boots and shinpads, Irna and Iffa lost their shinpads and Lillian lost one side of her boots. This is definitely not a good sign for the team, who just returned to the first training this hot afternoon from the 1.5 weeks break after POL-ITE ended.

We wouldn't know for sure who stole those gears but at the very least, there is the security camera that could perhaps, well, provide hope and evidence through the captured and recorded videos in the past few days and see which culprit stole those gears! The hunt is definitely on, for the boots and shinpad thief/thieves, who will maybe have a really bad beating from the team...

The end with a 4!

Indeed, the team did not disappoint by finishing last in this year's POL-ITE. Instead, they put 4 goals past poor Singapore Polytechnic(SP), who has lost all their matches, including tonight's game with the school host. They did fight back with a goal in the 2nd half though. They could have made the score 2-4 but no, the ball did not pass the goal-line and it was out for a goal kick. The 4 goals all came in the first half from Yatie (2), Shasha and Iffa. So Team Republic's WST finishes in fourth placing, with a great win over SP tonight.

Some of you may be asking, who's first, who's second and who's third? Well, ITE, without question, took first placing and are champions of the 1st POL-ITE. They are a truly great team and first placing, was well deserved. NP won NYP tonight, shockingly, on the last match of the competition through an O.G from NYP and from there, they never did score anymore, neither did NYP. Full time and they climbed from 3rd placing to finishing 2nd in this POL-ITE with a 1-0 win over NYP, pushing them to 3rd placing. It must have been a disappointing ending for them as many were predicting that they would finish below ITE. Perhaps it's just not their luck this year. There's still next year and many years to come!

It has definitely been a good day and a good ending for Team Republic's WST tonight, giving their all and scoring 4 goals past SP to create their first and last win of the competition after all the unluckiness in their past 3 matches. Yes, this calls for a good break, after months and months of hard work and effort!

But you know what they say, you don't get what you wish for. Instead, Team Republic's WST is only given a one week break from training starting from this week! As of next week, the team will resume training, however, twice only this time. For how long? We wouldn't know, until Faz says so!

With POL-ITE now over, Team Republic WST's blog will also be taking a break! The blog will be back sometime soon(maybe)! Till then, adios and muchas gracias!

The Battles of the Best

Indeed, both matches last Friday was between 2 sides that are of equal strength.

The first match at 6pm was between the champions-to-be ITE and 2nd place NYP. The first half saw a tough fight between both teams. NYP tried very hard to make it pass ITE's defense but just couldn't get pass. Their striker, Ayu, was seen trying very hard to get the ball to score but to no avail. Towards the end of the first half, ITE's Miza gave their side a lead and 1-0, the score by half time. In the second half, ITE scored another goal to ensure a better victory. However, NYP didn't give up and responded back with a goal, trying to make it hard for their opponents. In the end, victory went towards ITE, giving 2nd place to their opponents.

The second match at 8pm was between host Republic Poly and Ngee Ann Poly. Team Republic's WST knew that they have to win it to ensure a 3rd placing at least and went into the match with good confidence that they will turn things around however, it was not meant to be. Lady luck wasn't on their side as they lost out by only a goal. Indeed, they were unlucky to have a bad referee(really, really bad and blind)for the match. Many un-given free kicks and one penalty. For now, Team Republic's WST will have to defeat Singapore Poly come Monday, the last day of the event, to ensure that they do not finish last in this competition.

The team has been given off-training over this weekend for Monday's game, to allow for full recovery and provide ample rest (especially for those who played in the match) so that by then, everyone will return freshened up.

Last but not least, Happy 19th Birthday, Lillian and belated Birthday to Mel and Carol(not in picture)!

The expected game

Last night Team Republic's WST was heavily thrashed by their mighty opponents, ITE, 11-0. That's right, the same scoreline that they had against SP just last week, except that the goals came at a slower rate.

From the beginning, ITE keep attacking and attacking and under the first minute, Team Republic's WST conceded a free kick 2 yards outside their territory which unfortunately saw ITE giving themselves the lead from that free kick. By the end of the first half, the scoreline was at 5-0. In the second half, the team put up a much better display as compared to the first, having plenty of chances to score against ITE, with most of it on a 1 v 1 with the keeper. But the pace of ITE's players were just too fast for Team Republic's WST and chances were killed. On top of that, Team Republic's WST both keepers, Farrah and Nas did brilliantly in their time that they played, making many brilliant saves for the night, well done. The defenders as well, deserve another pat on their backs for they prevented ITE's near-goal ball from crossing the goal-line in 3 occasions where it happened.

Full time, 11-0 and Team Republic's WST kept their heads up and none shed a tear, for they know that they can't exactly match up against the mighty and well-capable ITE. Nonetheless, it was a good experience for the team. Next up, the team faces NP(Ngee Ann Polytechnic) come Thursday, 8pm K.O before facing SP(Singapore Polytechnic) in their last game on the 29th Oct, Monday.

Quick check: They have faced NP before in previous mini competitions such as Diva La Futbol and The Dream Move in earlier months and know a few of their good players.

Before Thursday's game, Team Republic's WST will have training today over at Braddell Westlake school and hopefully, they will all do well against NP.

Lastly, a round of applause for the Team Republic's Women of the match against ITE: Dilys

The first match

The team put up a brave and valiant fight against the tough NYP team but wasn't good enough for them. In the first 10 minutes, NYP Ayu's tussled for the free ball, which was bouncing around RP's goal area and put the ball back into the net, giving them the lead. 15 minutes later, Shasha grabbed the equalizer for the team, with a great lob over NYP's keeper. NYP continued to score another 4 goals, 3 in the first and 1 in the latter 2nd half to wrap up their win, also their 2nd of the tournament.

Team Republic's WST have a day off training today and will resume training tomorrow before facing of their 2nd opponent, ITE come Monday, 6pm. Quick check: ITE recorded their first and biggest win of the tournament thus far, on the same Thursday night, trouncing SP 11-0. Team Republic's WST have plenty to do and must prevent ITE from scoring.

The Final push

It's less than 24 hours away before Team Republic's WST head out to play their first opponent, NYP as POL-ITE heads into the 2nd day tomorrow.

The team had field training today, on the side of the usable field, practicing on free kicks, 3 v 4, the defenders going against the attackers. The light rain did not hamper the training as the latter on stopped for a good 30 minutes before the rain started pouring down, heavily, this time. But before the big rain came, the team had 2 free kicks practice before calling it a day.

The big rain continue to pour and pour, flooding the field in certain areas once again. The weather forecast states that it will continue to rain tomorrow afternoon. But let's hope that magic happens and that rain will pour somewhere else except on the home ground of Team Republic's.

Remember, if you would like to come on down and support them, do bring along your working condition voice and poms poms, if you have!

One on, one off.

The first match of POL-ITE between NP and ITE was called off yesterday due to the bad conditions of the pitch. Furthermore, it rained earlier on in the day, which led to waterlogged areas in some areas of the pitch, especially the goals on the right hand side. The referees refuse to sanction for the game to be kicked off and instead, suggested that the school prepare the pitch for the next match at 8pm. It was unfortunate for both teams who turned up, getting ready all geared and now, they will have to wait and see when will their match be postponed to.

The 2nd match between NYP and SP was allowed to go on though there were areas still slightly waterlogged. Couldn't be helped anyway. NYP won their first match easily, trouncing their opponents 5-0, with all the goals in the first half. With the match allowed to be kicked off last night, Team Republic's WST manage to watch their first opponents in action as they will be facing them come Thursday, in their first POL-ITE match.

They will be playing on home ground and with certainty, they have to impress and do well. The pressure is on.

ALC and many more

It's been about a week since the blog was last blogged!

So last friday, Team Republic's WST had an Abseiling session over at the ALC. Yes, Adventure Learning Center(not any Ass-Luring Center, just so you know). The session lasted over 2 hours and was led by instructors David and Wilson, who took great patience in getting the girls all warmed up and ready, before abseiling down from such a great height. It sure was something new, for those who were doing this for the first time and as for those who have done it before, was looking forward to doing it again! The girls all took turns, with 2 going down at a time. The first pair to head down was Fana and Marjory, with Marjory screaming, almost deafening David's ears but soon enough, both pair touched down and the next pair upstairs got all ready. It was a challenge especially for those who have Acrophobia, as it seemed like they weren't suspended by any rope at all while they were getting in position to abseil down. Atiqah, Yatie, Marjory, Lillian and Iffa, the 5 who found it fun, went for a 2nd round before the sky fell even darker. Surely, now everyone can become wonder spider women after learning how to abseil, hey? All thanks to David :)
(Photos later)

Just 2 days ago, the team had their 2nd and last friendly against NUS and this time, they improved the scoreline from the previous game(0-3), with a 1-1 draw, with Atiqah hitting the score sheet for the team this time around from a 2nd ball rebound!

This week, the girls hit the court for training, with the field closed for use and their Support Team was found to be jobless this week, only able to watch the team train alongside their advisor! Their jobless state would only be temporary though as they will be helping out the team too in the coming weeks too, in both prior to POL-ITE and during the non-POL-ITE match days.

Right, so it's only 3 more days before the event and the first match begins on 15th Oct 2007, come Monday! The first match will be a tough match between 2 experienced sides, NYP and ITE and of course, Team Republic's WST will be there to watch their opponents fight it out!

In the mean time, Team Republic's WST wishes all their Muslim friends Selamat Hari Raya!

Protect the field!

So it's less than two weeks away to the big event. To further prevent all players from having really bad falls or any tumbles, Team Republic's field will be out of bounds and closed for any usage as of next week. Of course, the field will be re-opened upon the commence of the event until it ends, but only to the participants of the event itself. On non-match days, the field will also be closed to public to keep the field in good working condition!

Since the field will be closed as of next week, Team Republic's WST field trainings (prior to the big event) will be held outside school grounds, off their home field. They will be away from their home field for sure, but never away from the game of soccer.

Countdown to POL-ITE

It is exactly 2 weeks, 14 days away before the start of POL-ITE and the team has exactly 6 training sessions remaining before the first match of the POL-ITE kicks off. 2 days later from the opening of the competition, the team will have its first match, up against Nanyang Polytechnic, the school which female soccer team is the longest established amongst all the 5 polytechnics. At least the team now knows how good they are, how they play and which are the good players in the team, having played them in a friendly some one month back.

Tomorrow marks another day of physical training with the team's very own Support Team after a good 3 days break over the weekend and in another words, it means there are 5 more training sessions left....

The Support Team!

Only today, was the team told that they have a Support Team from the school of Sports, Health and Leisure! So hooray for that and it was surely good for the team to have such a great support team of 3!

Today the team had physical as per usual every week, having run 1.5km on the outskirts of the school before having a short agility session, assisted by their very own Support Team! They have kindly assisted the team in organizing the agility session, came out with a plan as to how the layout should be with the placing of the cones and agility ladder. All in all, there was 4 stations (with a team mate at the other end of each station) and each station required a different duty.

The first station required hopping from gap to gap on the ladder and at the end of the hop, each have to head the ball that will be thrown by a team mate. The second station required zig-zag running between the cones and at the end of the run, each have to do a one touch pass with the team mate that will be stationed there at the end. The third station required a zig-zag run between the cones (but this time, bigger spaces between the cones) and at the end of the run, each have to knee-trap the ball and then kick the ball with the front laces. The last stationed required a side ways run-in-and-out on the ladder and at the end of the run, each have to do a controlled volley, with a team mate stationed at the end feeding the ball. Each, have to complete 5 sets for each station. Due to human traffic problems, the Support's Team plan did not go as planned but still, everyone managed to complete all stations, so great job!

Rain then started to pour slightly and the team headed back indoors to do some stomach exercises before calling it a wrap for the day. Those series of stomach stretches sure did kill all but surely on the other hand, everyone in the team will surely know that it was indeed worth the effort as they feel their tummies the following morning!

Hopefully today's physical will aid in the team's preparation for tomorrow's back to field work! Last but not least, Team Republic's WST would like to thank their Support Team(whom they can now truly call their own!) of Ain, Daniel and Jia Wen for all their efforts today!

Happy Birthday Ili!

Though it may be 2 days away from Ili's birthday, the team still, made some time out to celebrate Ili's 19th birthday in advance, with 4 Pizzas, topped with 19 candles after a grueling 3 hours of training at the street soccer court. It may not be a cake, but you know what they say, it is the thought that counts!

Also, apparently the girls have been told that they will not be able to use the field due to some screws that have been popping out or jutting out of the field. To further prevent injuries, the girls had training today over at the outdoor street soccer court. Every exercise was to practice and focus on strengthening the leg muscles and one of which tested the team's endurance. In their pairs, they have to carry their partners and walk the suicide run distance or rather, do the suicide run run, with their heavy or light partners on their back. Sure it wasn't easy, as Faridah had a hard time enduring Gough on her back, like Farrah with Joey as well. With much moral support from the rest, both pairs made it and finished the 2 sets, receiving a well-deserved round of applause from the others!

After that, the team was split into 4 teams of 6 and each round, 2 teams took turns to play each other. Every game was timed at 15 minutes, with no 2nd half at all. The teams tried time and again, to score and to no avail. The next match saw a goal-less match again, tying up all matches to a draw. Ah had then switched each team's players and changed to 8 players per team and that didn't help at all. At the end of the day, all matches were drawn at 0-0. Yatie could have gave her team a win for the day but was inches wide of her shot. Good effort, nonetheless. Not to forget the keepers, Farrah and Nas, who were making good saves throughout the matches at each end!

It's 2 more days over the weekend before the team returns back to school again. Surely no one is looking forward to the usual school-routine but with training still on as school begins, isn't it worth the early wake up afterall?

Queensway Friendly

The yet blazing and scorching sun did not deter the team in equalizing against their opponent. 1-1 the score at FT. Iffa, once again, hit the score-sheet, well done. It will be soon enough that her name will be making it's mark in the list of "top scorers", the team believes, with the number of goals she has been placing into the back of the net already.

Irna was made captain today in place of the injured Marjory, who is recently back from her 1 month lay-off, resting her shin splint injury. The absence of both Farrah and Fana gave Nas the chance again, to shine in goal; Ili, Irna, Faraheen and Gough made the string of defence; Shasha, Dilys, Yatie and Mary made up the midfield while Catherine and Atiqah completed the first 11 line up. As per usual, the entire team did their traditional pre-match routine - doing their team cheer before getting onto the pitch, to get the team all ready and highly-motivated for the match.

Iffa came on for Mary in the later first half but did not score yet until 15 minutes into the second half. Took the chance, got the ball, made it past 2 defenders before making that shot past Queensway's keeper. Atiqah wasn't so lucky and felt that she didn't fulfill her role as a striker but, she had 2 shots on goal, so did Yatie, with an addition of 2 shots off target. In short, RP's WST had a total of 10 shots on goal in the full 90 minutes.

The first half's play was alright and with the words from the advisor, Faz, "We need to get a goal in the first 15 minutes", during the interval, spurred the team on and right on, Iffa gave the equalizing goal within the first fifteen minutes of the second half. Not to forget the team's keeper, Nas, who did brilliantly well, saving many important goals. A job well done, immensely. Shasha, Irna and Dilys did well too, in bringing the ball down the right flank and covering areas where ever needed respectively.

Also, Team Republic WST's blog heard rumors that the team will be going to KL in December. While this is only a rumor, the team is sure excited about it but firstly, they will have to impress and do well for the upcoming POL-ITE! With such a great December to look forward to, Team Republic's WST will surely train hard and do well right?

Next up, the team is going to play a 2nd round of soccer with the Team Republic's floorballers next Wednesday. Watching floorballers playing a much bigger ball, hmm...

Fitness Passed!

Things are shaping up and the stamina of the team is looking good! Most of the girls in the team have passed the Beep Test, with most reaching level 6 and 7! Big congratulations to Sham who attained top place, lasting till level 8! Long legs are sure of an advantage, clearly...

Level of fitness

So the second round of the Beep test is going to be held today over at the badminton hall and the team is going to be re-taking their test once again. Most are happy that there is going to be re-run of the test because they didn't fare well in the first one or the results didn't reach their expectations, so to speak. The beep test will see where their fitness level lies, which level they are at.

The following day the team will be having a friendly with Queensway Secondary, kicking off at 1500h over at Republic's very own field and so the beep test will be helpful for the team, in a way. For those who would like to show your support for the Team Republic girls, do come by together with your poms poms (well, if you have, that is!) and any other celebratable stuff!

Team Republic's blog hereby wishes all those who are taking the test later the very best of luck!

Training Camp

3 days and 2 nights of training camp, was sure worth while, as the team sat through the 3 days, getting prepared both mentally and physically for their first ever upcoming event, POL-ITE.

The first day saw the arrival of the team alongside their bags, big and small, heading towards the spacious Agora Hall where they all settled down before heading to the field where the first training of the camp begin. The training was surely tiring as it was furthermore, a Sunday, a day where it was very unlikely of anyone to head back to school despite holiday periods. Additionally, the weather wasn't helping as well as the team trained under the blazing sun in the hottest time of the afternoon, running around the field, doing stretches, kicking of balls and not to mention, in the bad condition of the field which was badly waterlogged from the earlier hours of heavy-light-heavy-light rain. Brown spots was everywhere on attire, socks and boots. It was only at about 6pm did the training end before they headed for shower and then off to dinner out of camp-area.

Banquet was crowded as per usual, packed with many people looking for dinner, like the team was. With half of the team reaching the place earlier, they managed to book place for all to sit, with the tables inches away from one another. Ili, Fana, Iffa, Faridah, Yi Wen, few of the half. Before it's too late, the team went off in their mission to buy their dinner, filling their already hungry and empty stomachs. After the sumptuous dinner, the team headed back to their camp area where they had a team talk that ranges from improvement to discipline of the team. It sure was a good sharing session that lasted till past midnight with everyone struggling to keep their eyes wide open, like Faz has mentioned.

The 2nd day was less-physical as the team had to endure going through 3 workshops after the light physical in the morning before breakfast, one of which was more hands on, learning how to tape ankles while the other was more mentally based. Mostly cried in that one and again, it was another great short team sharing session but in tears, to put it in that manner. After which, the team had their 2nd field training again which ended at around 9pm in the night before having a shower and dinner and calling it a day. Tired as they were, everyone was sound asleep back in their "bunks", earlier as compared to the first night.

The last day called for celebration as it was break-camp day, the day everyone was looking forward to. Due to the fact that training ended late the previous day, the day begin at 9am for the girls. First they had breakfast, followed by light field physical on the field which lasted a rough 2 hours and a half. That saw the girls very much relaxed as they just had their usual sandwich meal before physical. End of the first session's training and the team headed down for a good last meal from camp and then resting for a good 2 hours where some of them played touch rugby in their spacious bunk area. Faridah, Faraheen, Atiqah, Shasha and Faz, were the few who played. Much less to say, there were loads of screaming and screaming, nothing but screaming from the girls! Carpet-burns injury was not avoided at all.

After a much 2 hours relax and sleep(for some), the girls headed back again for the 2nd and last training session of the camp. They had a 4 v 4 , the defenders going against the midfielders and attackers, switching of positions, shooting, etc. The field was less water-logged this time but it didn't help that much either anyway. It was break-camp and everyone was looking forward to going home sleeping on their sweet and comfy beds and didn't want to head home late and training only ended at around 730pm. The girls had a good stretch for cool-down, debrief and headed for a not-so-comfy-place to shower before calling it the end of the tiring camp.

Definitely everyone is exhausted, with their legs all wobbly like jelly but to be able to endure and be able to be awake for 2 training sessions in a day for the first camp like this is good enough for the team. As the fixtures of the POL-ITE is released, the Team Republic soccer girls have only exactly 1 month and 5 days from today.

It is only that much time left and surely, Team Republic will do their best and do their school proud for their first ever POL-ITE!