Match Report Prem League: against CSC

Match report 2nd match of the season...we had the local Ceylon Sports Club on a late Saturday afternoon. Due to lightning and rain, the earlier matches of Women 1s got postponed and Women 2nd had to finish with another 25min to play...

Question was whether we belong to this league or not...lucky win the week earlier against a strong Police squad (3:2), but our Prem squad not really happy about the performance as we knew we can play better as a team. It started well, our offense line with Marcel, Olly and Hoirul worked hard to get some chances...which they did. But we missed the the last consequence and didn't score, but it felt as this could be a good game.

Then, basically out of nothing, CSC showed up in front of Adi and our defense line around Marin, Fazly, Wesley, Barney and Joo-Seuk and were granted a penalty corner. With a bit of luck and Marin's stick, they managed to score and lead 0:1, leaving our earlier efforts behind.

We remained patient, continued to work hard on additional chances...which lead into 2 penalty corners, both were successfully drag-flicked by Ben, our leading scorer this and last season. Needless to say that we will miss him a lot as he is departing from Singapore this Wednesday. By now, our prem squad was in comfortable lead and didn't allow more chances for CSC, whereas we continued to penetrate their final 25. Another penalty corner was stopped only by the body of one of the CSC defender, but the referees did not catch this...Now, our prem team constantly penetrated the defense and had additional chances...one was finally conversed by our local Army man Hoirul.

In the 2nd half, having a comfortable lead of 3:1, Tornado's tried also different formations, which may come handy later this season, a final goal by our young runner Marcel was the result and included a nice play through the whole team.
Final result 4:1 and spectators from all other teams as Police, SRC and SCC that may wonder now, whether this Tornado's prem squad are push-overs or not. We are not.

Man of the Match and a huge loss to our team and the whole Club: Ben Apperly.
A small farewell after the match with an emotional Ben left us behind.

Mens Prems Match Report - 20 April 2013

Taking the Sting out of the Police…

Following on from 3 plus months' worth of training and the lightning excitement / postponed game the week before, the men's prem team was chomping at the bit for the first game to arrive.

The opposition this week was The Police and while they were without Sting in their line-up, we knew they would still be a formidable opponent, being regulars in the Prem division. As this was our first foray into the lofty heights of this league, we were the New Kids on the Block, but would we be Hangin' Tough…?

We began the first half strongly, holding possession and controlling the middle of the park and occasionally finding joy down the flanks as foreseen by our handlers Sanjay and Roy. However the Police, were not to be denied, and through a mixture of their inside out passes, they slowly exerted their presence in the match and took the lead with some solid attack play. Their joy was short-lived though as we stormed back into the game courtesy of our Scraggy (Scooby-doo) look-alike, Ben, crashing the ball past their helpless keeper with his lovely reverse stick shot on edge of the D – game on. We then confirmed our dominance in the game with some slick work down the wing from our resident Kiwi and Vet, Joran and Olly, combining well to feed Hoirul (or MJ after Sat night) sliding in at the goal and Tornado's were truly up and running in the league.

We went in at H-Time, knowing The Police were going to come out strongly in the second half, but rallying words from cowboy Johny, ensured we were suitably geed up for their riposte.

The second half typified the Tornados spirit with some tireless running from all 16 of the guys, under the blistering sun. While the ref was preventing Jan from wielding his usual dominance down the left hand side, we found other avenues to attack from; however the ever imposing Police with 'every breath they took' were also gaining momentum that broke our backline to level up at 2 apiece. Worse was to come as some debatable decision-making in our D led to a penalty flick, this meant that the stage was set for Adi "I fly in from KL for the games" to continue his impressive form in between the sticks. Adi duly obliged and saved down low to his right and with 5 or so minutes to go the game was set for a grandstand finish.

The grandstand finish was delivered when having won a short corner in the last minute of the game, Ben stepped up, for one of the last times as a Tornado, and proceeded to do what he did all last year and drag it into the roof of the goal. Game finished  - Tornados win 3-2 on our first ever Prem league outing – a great effort from all involved and we're nicely set for the rest of the season.

Unofficial MOM – Ben 'Unchained'

Lyrics by Barny

Ladies 2's Match Report – 13 April 2013

Tornados Ladies 2's v's NYP, 0-1 against.
 
This was the 2nd game of the season for the ladies 2's who are a mix of new and seasoned players. The game didn't disappoint, where all 20 ladies played enthusiastically despite Singapore's all year round Summer. Every member of the team deserves to be congratulated for having worked tirelessly until the final whistle. The match saw more short passing, taking tha ball around the back, and communication as the Coaches - Joran and Kris reinforced in the pre-game team chat.
 
The centre of the pitch saw excellent performances from the seemingly inexhaustable midfield players including Debbie, Jacqui and Lizzie, but many good plans were thwarted by the relentless tackles of the skilled and speedy NYP players. Tornados strong defence kept fierce attacks at bay with memorable shots from Abi and Jennie returning the ball in play.
Tornados forwards attacked with determination and gusto, especially in the 2nd half when shots from Sam and Raechelle went just wide accompanied by Awws fron the Super Saturday Crowd. NYP's only goal in the 2nd half shows they will be a major force in the league with the Tornados ladies 2's close on their heels!
 
Jennie was voted 'Player of the Match'.

Written by Marianne.

Ladies 1's Match Report – 13 April 2013

Ladies 1's Match Report – 13 April 2013

The ladies 1^st team played there opening game in the league after a great build up to the start of the season. We knew it would be a tough game on this hot Super Saturday but we were ready to beat the Crescents with a large squad of 17 highly motivated players!

We arrived early at Sengkang and had a good warm up. Although Tim reminded us to communicate, recycle where necessary and to be clinical and aggressive, we started weak in the first 10 minutes. During the course of the match we started to play better hockey with Lady of the Match Laura dominating on the midfield. However, the opening goal was for the Crescents. The new rule of this season resulted in the 0-1 scored by our own defender (but to be positive: Teej it is your first goal in this league!)

Half time came and gave us the opportunity to rehydrate and to re-set ourselves under the management of Tim. However, the second half also didn't start as planned and the 0-2 fell after only 3 minutes… After this goal we finally woke up and played better and more attractive hockey! We fought hard and had some great attacks and chances to grab a goal although we were not able to score…

This opening game resulted in a disappointing 0-2 loss. The negative thing is that we didn't achieve the level we had in some of the prior friendly matches. The positive thing is that we dominated in a large part of the second half and that we are now even more motivated to beat the Dutch next Sunday ("We gaan ze pakken!!!!!").

A big thanks goes to Tim for coaching us, to Sayj for the (mental) support and all other people who came down to support us!!

Carline

Ladies 1's Match Report - 28 Mar 2013

Ladies 1's Match Report - 28 Mar 2013

With the excitement of an upcoming bank holiday along with the prospect of eating copious amounts of Easter chocolate, the Tornados were in high spirits before the start of their last game before the league begins.

The game began solidly for Tornados with excellent communication throughout the pitch and spells of forward momentum bringing chances. SRC held strong and used their skilful midfield players to put the game on even footing. Despite some pressure from SRC, outstanding tackles from Victoria Tudor-Jones and Maxine Chia prevented any threats. Tornados team play put pressure back on the SRC players with some well executed passes from the defensive line enabling the forward breaks. Fully utilising their whole team, Tornados managed to get a short corner. After a beautifully hit strike from Sandra Acket, the ball bounced off the SRC keeper and into the back of the net giving the Tornados a well-deserved 1-0 lead.

After a water break, rest and team talk at half time, the second half began with some pressure exerted from the SRC side. Tornados managed to absorb this with continuous defensive effort. After a near miss on an SRC short corner, Tornados were determined to maintain their lead. Woman of the match Helen Waddell was all over the pitch making excellent runs and passes to open up the game for an attack. With persistent runs from Holly Klimcke, Tornados utilised their wings and managed to put pressure back on SRC. There were several near misses almost extending the lead to 2-0; the Tornados persisted and despite getting another short corner, were unable to capitalise.

With yet another short corner being called for Tornados the final whistle blew, this resulted in an overall victory of 1-0 to the Tornados. This puts the Tornados in excellent stead for the beginning of the league next week. Overall, Tornados had a 'stormer' with fantastic team play, support and communication throughout. Easter eggs all around...

Ladies 1's Match Report - 22 Mar 2013

Ladies 1's Match Report – 22 Mar 2013

The Ladies 1^st XI were officially back in action on Friday night with a pre-season, premier league opener against Jansenites.  With 2 wins under their belt the week before, it was time to put team capabilities to the test. 

Tornadoes started strong with aggressive one-two passing and considerable pace up the pitch.  Jansenites had a well-drilled side with 2 strong midfielders distributing and leading the charge.  Their attack inspired tactical 'recycling' around the back from Tornado defence and some amazing saves from keeper Florence.  Jansenites got a cheeky shot off in the circle to pull a 1-0 advantage over Tornadoes in the first half.

Tornadoes responded with a number of offensive opportunities in the second half.  The 4-4-2 formation penetrated the Jansenite defence 7 times in the second half and converted 2 short corners.  Charlie White got a practiced edge on one short corner crash ball... however, no luck as the ball sailed just over the net. 

Tornado ladies fought hard but were unable to equalize.  End result was 1-0 to Jansenites.  Excellent game to all Tornado ladies.  Joint man of the match went to Florence and Chris Tweedy.