Monday, February 18, 2008
My knee had posed many problems for me nowadays. Walking is already a slight challenge, not to mention that my classroom is on the sixth floor and i had to climb the stairs every morning. To avoid from causing my knee to hurt was near impossible. The pain is unpredictable. I would receive occasional pain even though i did not apply any pressure of any sort on my knee, such as sitting 'attentively' during lessons. I am starting to think that i would have to get used to the daily suffering, should i not pay a visit to a physiotherapist. Even though the pain was unbearable most of the times, I would never fail to join in the fun of a soccer game.
Yesterday, in the early afternoon, I asked Mustakim whether there was soccer later in the evening. He told me there was, then questioned me about my knee and whether i was fit to play. I told him it would be fine for i won't push myself too hard. He merely said 'ok' den emphasized that i be extra-careful. I then sat on my bed and started to mug for my upcoming CA whilst waiting for time to pass. I planned to study for around four hours, after which i will leave for the field. But, I studied for only three hours and slept for an hour and a half. I awoke to find myself unprepared and late. I zipped frantically around my room, looking for my boots and socks. I then did my prayer then dashed of to the field which was fifteen minutes away if i were to stroll there. In the speed i was going, i managed to reach the field in five minutes time(My best timing so far). My knee was throbbing, but the adrenaline i get whenever i was going to play a game of soccer, blocked the pain sufficiently enough to make me ignore the pain.
Fortunately for me, the game had not started, and was not about to start for another ten minutes. We warmed up by kicking the ball around. Through this exercise that i found out that i will experience unbearable pain whenever i kick with my left leg. I could not withstand the pain and fell on my knees. I felt the pain on my right knee when kicking with my left for the weight shifted onto my right leg when my left legs goes into the follow-through. It makes my left leg as good as 'dead' leg, much to my frustration. But i eventually accepted the fact that i am only able to kick with my right leg during that particular game.
The 1st few minutes was painless and comfortable. Only until the 7th minute. My cousin, who was my opposition, dribbled the ball at the by-line. I sprinted towards him, confident that my knee would not cause any problems. I managed to reach him before he could cross the ball. Fortunately, just as he was about to kick the ball, i stretched to my fullest extent and toe-poked the ball out. Unfortunately, before I could withdraw my leg, my cousin did not react fast enough to stop his leg, that was already traveling towards the position of the ball before i kicked it away, thus, he swept me off my feet. My attempt to stabilize myself failed horribly and i fell to the ground, injured knee first.
The pain was excruciating, but i managed to keep a straight face, but only barely. Though my face was straight, my actions betrayed it. I was clutching my knee so tightly, that my knuckles were white and i was rolling from side to side, trying to keep from screaming. When they asked me whether i was alright, i meekly said that i was fine and tell them to continue with their game. I stayed on the ground only for a few minutes, for i was eager to get on playing. I played through the pain barrier for my passion for soccer was fastidious and i just could not get enough of playing soccer. I ignored the pain throughout the rest of the game, but when all had ended, my attention was instantly diverted to my knee.Thankfully, the pain had subsided. I quickly changed into my spare set of clothes and set off home.
At home there was nothing interesting. Other than the fact that my aunts visited me at 10 at night to present to me a mp3. It was a Samsung 1 gigabyte mp3 worth $99. I was totally taken aback by the present for they had suddenly appeared late at night and suddenly presented to me the mp3. Now, i have currently 50+ songs in my newly acquired mp3.
This morning, I had history CA. The test was ok and not too hard. It was not too easy either. I feel confident enough that i will pass.
I have to stop here for my mom is pestering for me to stop. I'll continue on another day when the opportunity arises.
signing off;
Izzat...
Saturday, February 16, 2008
My knee had produced some excruciating pain throughout the past week. I'm getting a little worried now. Last Thursday, i was fooling around with a classmate when he suddenly jabbed me on the knee spot on the exact location of my injury. The moment his hand landed on my knee, mind-boggling pain erupted from the injury. I clutched my knee in agony and writhed on the floor. The pain was unimaginably painful. Tears started to well up in my eyes much due to the extreme pain. My classmates gathered around me, curious on what was happening. Several of them asked me whether i was ok. I didn't answer, but my actions during that time answered them, crystal clear.
I tried to get up upon my feet a few times, but my leg just won't seem to hold and the pain got even worse when i tried to put weight on my injured leg. The pain was intense and i cried out in agony a couple of times. My classmate who struck me on the leg apologised profusely. He didn't realise that i was injured when he playfully jabbed me. I forgave him but he still felt guilty on befalling the unimaginable pain on me. I was on the floor for five minutes before the pain resided sufficiently enough for me to get on to my feet. I staggered while trying to walk. I eventually had to settle on limping as my way of moving around. I winced every single time i put pressure on my right leg. I would have had to limp down the steps of the staircase in much discomfort if not for my teacher who saw the seriousness of my condition. He allowed me access of the lift that was only allowed for staff and cleaning staff.
The pain lingered throughout the whole day. I had training the following day, and a few of classmates who were also my soccer buddies insisted that i pay a visit to a physician and not to go training. But i love soccer and i am fastidious. I wanted experience of training and i knew that i can get ample of experience from a single training session. Plus the temptation to kick the ball was overpowering. I ignored their advice and attended the training session anyway. We had a drill where we were suppose to overlap and run a great deal of a distance. I wanted to run, and i had my chance when it was my turn to overlap.
I ran slower than my usual speed though. My knee slowed me down. Every step i take, a short pain ran through my whole leg, but most concentrated on knee. Not only was my running effected, my accuracy was and power were sometimes affected as well. The last exercise was sprinting drills. I did the first two but couldn't take anymore of the rapidly growing pain. The four-month old injury was hurting much worse than before my classmate hit it. Ever since that training, I tried my best not to pressurise my knee. It took much effort to prevent any sudden pain. Today was no different. I tried to walk normally and not wince on every step i take. I successfully achieved it, but knew that i cant possibly take anymore after a lengthy period.
During a seminar this evening, my knee unexpectedly sent a stabbing pain a few times throughout the whole seminar. I was in great discomfort throughout the seminar, though i tried not to show hints of being in pain. I was concentrating not to apply pressure that will trigger the pain of my nowadays delicate knee. Nearing the end of the seminar though, the pain dissipated for a few minutes, but occasionally acted up.
The pain since Thursday has been much more painful than usual. I am getting very anxious. I hope that my knee is only in a minor state of injury. I really hope that my knee would not hamper my goal of being in the school soccer team...
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Today was kind of tiring considering that i went to bed at 5 last night... or should i say this morning. Woke up at 7, realised that i was late for training, and simply sat on the bed for another 15 minutes. "What's the use of rushing when i'm already late?" was what i had in mind, and even considered to take my on sweet time to prepare for training.
Then another thought crossed my mind. I should make an effort to get to training faster so not to waste the precious experience of training. I quickly took a 5 minute shower then got dressed into something nice(to my opinion). Then i wolfed down a slice of bread and gulped down a cup of hot cocoa, while in the process, almost choked myself. I was suppossed to be at school by 8, but i left at 7.30. I wasted another precious 2 minutes at the doorstep, thinking on the fastest way to get to school. When i had finally made up my mind, i dashed to the bus stop, only to see the bus i had planned to take pulling away from the bus stop. I tried to make a dash for it, but in vain.
Crap... If i had not wasted time to plan my route to school, i would be on the bus already. I sat at the empty bus stop, silently contemplating myself. I was later than before. In the process of silently contemplating at myself, i nearly missed another bus. If i had missed that bus, all the vulgarities i have in my mind vocabulary would have come flying out of my mouth, regardless of whether there were people or not. But, thankfully, i need not do all those sinful deeds, thus not breaking my new year resolution to keep 'clean' throughout the year. I flagged the bus than boarded the bus. I found an available seat, sat on the seat, then continued to silently contemplate myself (i have written contemplate three... no... four including the one within this bracket... in one paragraph... All of you who are reading must be terribly bored on seeing that word. Very the sorry. I have limited creativity in this brain of mine. Okay, enough of me, time to get back to my day...) throughout the whole bus trip... no no... until i fell asleep.
I woke up to find myself at my destination. After i alighted, i ran a fast as i could to the field. The time was: 0850 hours. I was nearly an hour late and i prayed hard that the coach was having a good day so that he won't scream at me. My constant prayers were answered. My coach simply asked me to get warmed up and join in the training session a.s.a.p. I rushed through my warm up and soon regretted it. After 10 minutes of training, my left hamstring was in much pain. I wanted to be excused from training, but then, i remembered that i had wasted an hour of training, so i countinued to train, forcing myself not to show signs that i am in discomfort. I may not be in the soccer team, but all the experience that i receive in this training session will help me be a better soccer player next year.
After training, Mr Yan Siong gave us players a drink and an orange each. We ate and drank gratefully, thanking him constantly. He is a nice man. He coaches us for free, then give us food. His training sessions maybe very strenous, but worth it. His reason of punishing us in training is so that we will enjoy in the game.
After training, i went to an open house organised by my assistant form teacher,Mr Randell Siow. My form teacher,Mr Su, was present as well as a number of my classmates. I was super-hungry and gobbled down 2 full plates of fried fice with lemon chicken and nuggets. I then continued to consume a doughnut and ate 5 ferrero rochers. All of that were washed down with 3 cups of drinks. It may seem slightly unbelievable, but i do have a great appetite. After that satisfying meal, Mr Siow swiched on his ps2, so that we can enjoy more. We started of by playing a game called puzzle fighter 2, recommended by Mr Siow. It was the students of class 3B versus the wushu boys. We were owned. I played three games, managing to notch up only a solitary win. We then procceded to play fifa street 2, i played a match, ended up being thrashed by khairul 5-1. Then we played winning eleven 7. I played a match against the classmate proclaimed best player in the virtual game of soccer.
The match was intense. I scored 1st, only for him to equalise soon after. Both of us them had chances to win the game. He hit the goal frame once, while i hit it twice. In extra-time, it became more intense, it was attack and counter-attack by both of us. Then in penalties, he won 2-4. He saved two of my penalties and i hit the woodwork once. He missed one too. We then played DOA 2:Hardcore. I didn't play though. After a few matches, we decided to return home. I took the bus service 854 Transit link bus. I dozed in the bus, narrowly missing my stop. I reached home to find nobody at home. I then switched on the computer and thus started to write this blog.
There's nothing more that i can relate for today. And i'll leave it as that. Hope that tomorrow will be another day filled with sufficient events so that i can write tomorrow...
Thursday, February 7, 2008
I woke up today, quite dreading the day. Another holiday wasted at home was what i initially thought when i woke up. I craved some soccer action. And after going to religious class in the afternoon, i wanted to get back home and stone at home, for the possibilities of a match suddenly springing up was pretty slim. Labels: Nonsense
BUT, fortunately for me, Mustakim, my sister's friend who consults me whenever there is a match, told me that there was a match later in the evening. Man was i ecstatic. I couldn't wait for the match. All i wanted to do from the afternoon till 5 was too jump about and pretend playing soccer while imagining what extraodinary things i was going to do while playing. And when playing, the extraodinary things always do not happen.
When the time finally came, i quickly changed into my school jersey, for it was the only dri-fit shirt i have, and after performing my prayers, rushed of to meet up with Mus. After meeting up with others and after another bought his lunch, we headed to the field where we the match is being held. We started with 5-aside matches. I had to admit that i was not performing up to my standard while playing the 5-aside. I lost possesion too easily and caused unneccessary trouble to the defence.
But during the second 5-aside match, i played an attacking role. To be honest, i was not comfortable in that position. I was not one who is reliable enough to get some goals for i prefer seeing myself as one who create chances or as someone who denies opposition chances, rather than converting chances. But after linking up plays that could have resulted in goals, i just could not apply the final touch or giving it to someone who could finish the chances. The field was unfamiliar and bumpy but i managed to get a hang of the field.
After two 5-aside matches, we proceeded to an 11-aside match. We just had enough players to go on with the match. I was allocated in the left-back position, where i had experience playing in. But after 5 minutes, I asked for Mus, who was currently playing as a centre-back position, to switch. I felt that i had not enough space to play on the flank. When i was at the last man position, I felt more at ease and started to play better than during the 5-asides. The striker was taller than me(like all other players my age or older are) and pulled my shirt a couple of times when challenging for the ball. He even smacked my face once causing my specs to fall off. It was all part and parcel of the game of soccer. I managed to hold him off a few of times though.
A couple of times, skirmishes happened on the field. One incident was that our midfielder accidentally kicked the opponent between the legs and the opposition started to shout vulgarities. Luckily our midfielder kept a cool head and ignored him even when he started to get rough. The ref broke up play and told the furious opposition player to get out of the field. The other happened when our big striker barged into their left-back. It was purely accidental. But their left-back shoved our striker, who then retaliated. The ref broke them up hurriedly. I do wonder now and then why some people make such a big fuss over something that happens in every soccer match. Soccer is a physical sport and aggression is needed. If you're not aggressive enough, you will be a target for opposition. Our opposition today played rough today, but was not overall happy when we played aggressively too.
Soccer is a sport to be enjoyed, it does not need all those meaningless scuffles in the pitch. It will only make the game less entertaining to watch. This what i had experienced today and hope more will come my way.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
I DID NOT MAKE THE TEAM. The first few days after the final confirmation of the team, i was totally disappointed. But a few encouraging words from our outside coach, Mr Yan Siong, made me think otherwise. On the 1st of February, on Friday, there was training and a short match with the current VJC team. I played for about ten minutes but it was enough to impress Mr Yan Siong. After the match, those who were substituted told me that Mr Yan Siong praised me throughout the match. Praises following my solid defending and sliding decisions. Labels: Better than ever
He said that i will slide the opponent when the situation calls for it and i never shirk away from a challenge, even if it's from the huge striker who could send me flying if he shoves me with all he's strength. Despite his massive bulk, i tackled with everything i had and successfully managed to get the ball away from him a few times. I guess this new found confidence and courage is all thanks to a friend of mine. She gave me the confidence and courage that i was missing all this while. And due to my new found confidence and courage, Mr Yan Siong said that he would have picked me for the team if he were the official coach. He even told the current full-backs in the team to learn from my style of play. This gave me even more confidence to try harder in training and get a shot on the team.
Before the match, there was training. There was this drill where we had to feint past a defender(which was a flag pole) and went for a try on goal. I failed to hit the net with my right foot, but i managed to score a nice goal with my left. I lofted the ball up and over the keeper and it sailed into the net just below the bar at the far post. The keeper during that time was the current 1st choice keeper, and even he admitted it was a nice goal. My shots with my right foot contained a considerable amount of power but lacked accuracy while my shots with my left foot contained sufficient accuracy but not that power-packed. A left foot volley from me will contain power but will most probably go the direction where i did not want it to go. But i feel that i am improving with my new level of confidence.
Thousand thanks to Naz for the advice. Its helping me a lot. Thanks a bunch!
Thanks to all the blogs i referred to (countless) for html code help :) (esp. cyn' and sixseven)
Adobe Photoshop Elements for supernatural abilities
