retired_rkp278

Jorg Steinbrunner realised that he had played for much of the season without a recognised left back. He had used a variety of players, but none had performed as effectively as he had liked.

He apporoached Ben one day during training an said:

"Ben, I would like to try you out at left back for our final league game at Tampines. Would you be able to adapt?"

Ben's eyes lighted up upon hearing that. He's going to play for the first team! In the crucial title match as well! Even though he would be playing out of position, first team football is still first team football.

Ben quickly agreed, excited at his chance. Jorg then pencilled in his name for the team sheet. "I hope you won't let me down." the coach remarked.

What will happen? Will Woodlands finally get some silverware? Or even better, will they achive a remarkable double? And what will happen to Ben afterwards? Will Arsenal recall him?

Sarah

Great read but you've left us in suspense for too long now.

retired_rkp278

Sorry, sorry. I've been a bit busy lately. I'll rush a couple now, but the next one won't be soon. Next week Tuesday earliest. Sorry guys.

So, Woodlands travelled to the Tampines Stadium with Ben Cee making his first team debut at left back. The team however, will be keeping one eye on the result at the Jalan Besar Stadium, where the Young Lions hosted SAFFC.

Midway through the first half, Ahmad Latiff scored after a brilliant run to put Woodlands in the lead. However, it didn't last very long, as veteran Croatian-Singaporean striker Mirko Grabovac equalised for the home side.

Shortly before half time, Aliff Shafaein put Tampines in the lead after a quick counter attack. This meant that Woodlands went into the break behind despite out-playing the Stags for much of the game so far.

At half time news filtered through that the Young Lions had taken a 1-0 lead through Fazrul Nawaz. Fazrul was the only striker who even came close to Laakad in the S-League scoring charts, and that goal drew him level with Laakad for the Golden Boot honours. It also meant that the title would go to the Young Lions unless SAFFC popped in an equaliser AND Woodlands find two goals to overhaul Tampines in the second half. It seemed an uphill task...

The Rams trooped out for the second half with renewed vigour. Ben had never felt such an atmosphere before, and was determined to do his best not only to help his team win, but also impress the coach so that he might get a starting slot for the Cup Final in a week's time.

It didn't take long for the equalised to come. Barely 5 minutes in fact. Tampines failed to clear a corner and winger Ali Imran sent a semi cross-shot across the goal and past everybody, settling into the net. It was a bit of a fluke goal, but hey, you take them as they come.

Both teams continued to press for the winner (despite Tampines not having anything to play fro except pride), and the fast tempo of the game was quickly wearing poor young Ben out. Then, with 5 minutes to go, Woodlands found themselves on a break. Laakad found himself in open space and one-on-one with Rezal Hassan, the Tampines keeper. There could only be one outcome...

GOAL!!! The entire Woodlands bench were off the bench celebrating. But it was not over yet however. Not only do they have to hold their lead, they needed SAFFC to do them the ultimate favour. However, that goal meant that unless Fazrul went crazy against SAFFC, Laakad was set for the Golden Boot.

The final whistle blew, and the Woodlands team gathered round nervously, waiting for the result from the Jalan Besar Stadium. You could cut the tension with knife. Ben gathered with the team, anxiously listening to the report. Finally, the news came...

The Woodlands players started to walk off disappointed. They had did their part, but SAFFC didn't play their part of the bargain. The Young Lions held on to their first-half lead and won the title by one point from Woodlands.

It was so close yet so far. Ben could feel the disappointment in the dressing room, but Jorg rallied the troops. 'C'mon guys! We have a Cup Final next week. Chins up, we have another shot at silverware!' It was hard not to admire the German's positivity.

Some of the team consoled themselves, claiming that they would try harder next year. However, Ben was uncertain. He didn't even know whether he would still be at Woodlands next season, so that might have been a missed chance at getting an S-League title.

Coming up, the Cup Final

retired_rkp278

Shortly after the Tampines game, Woodlands received a blow. First choice keeper Yazid Yasin tore a knee ligament and had to go for surgury, ruling him out of the final. Yazid was gutted. He had played so well for Woodlands throughout the season, and now had to miss the most important match of their season. The team felt upset for him too.

His replacement would be Mohamad Luqman, who had only played a couple of first team matches that season and didn't look exactly match fit. Now he was going to be thrown into the deep end in such a high-pressure game. It didn't do much for the defence's confidence.

The Football Association of Singapore (FAS) decided to bring forward the cup final by a day, which didn't go down well for the team, for it meant one lest day of rest after their exertions.

It didn't matter to Albirex however. Because the league had an odd number of teams (11), one team had to complete their fixtures before the final day. That team was Albirex, and as such they had extra rest anyway to prepare themselves for the cup final. One day less didn't make much difference to them.

Regardless, both teams trooped out for what would be the last Singapore Cup final at the National Stadium at Kallang before the 'Old Lady' was to be torn down and redeveloped. Jorg stuck with Ben for the left back position, which greatly delighted the youngster. He'd never thought he would play his second competitve match at the Grand Dame of Singapore football.

Both teams kicked off with attacking intent. Both came close to scoring, but in the 22nd minute, Woodlands opened the account. Park Tae Won found himself free and slotted past the Albirex keeper. It was a dream start for the Rams.

However, it was not to be. Just before half time, Woodlands was caught on the counter again, and Eiichiro Ozaki ran almost unchallenged for nearly half the field before slotting past Mohamad Luqman. Both teams thus went into the break level.

Despite Jorg's half time encouragement, both teams failed to break the deadlock in the second half. Not that they didn't try though, but they both wasted chance after chance. So it went to extra time.

Tired Woodlands thus recieved this pep talk:
"Guys, we've come so far. We can make it. Albirex is a team we'll easily beat. Just try to find some more energy in your legs, and hold out for another half an hour. Even if we go to penalties, we'll beat them. C'mon lads, we can do it!"

However, it was not to be. Ozaki got his second goal before the end of first half ET after more sloppy defending from the now drained Woodlands defence.

When the second half kicked off, Woodlands weren't even sure that they could hold up anymore, let alone find an equaliser. But worse was to come...

"Here's young Ben with the ball. He passes back to the keeper Luqman. Luqman has to come out for this, for it's a fair way out. Luqman comes out...OH HE MISSES THE BALL! Luqman missed it! Oh, the ball is trickling into the net now. It's going in. It's in! Oh what a mistake for the keeper to make! What a tragedy for Woodlands! The team must be gutted now. Not least the young defender Ben Cee. What a way to mark your second appearance, at the cup final as well. Oh dearie me..."

And that was that. The keeper's tragic mistake sealed the game really. The entire team just didn't have the confidence to continue, and simply played the ball around till the final whistle. They all collapsed on the ground in exhaustion at the final whistle.

This was possible Ben's last game for Woodlands, and he certainly didn't want it to end it like that. He was almost in tears, but being a resiliant young man he didn't want anybody to see him crying.

retired_Myoplex

you can't write this stuff....

retired_rahalbob

nice story there ben. Im enjoying this greatly. How will the young Singapoerean bounce back from the og? I look forward with great anticipation

shannon2007

Ben, a question.

Are you actually playing a game of FM here? Just curious.

retired_rkp278

Nope, it's all made up. Off the top of my head.

retired_rkp278

In the dressing room of the National Stadium, the mood was gloomy in the Woodlands camp. You really could sense the disappointment. They've thrown away a potential double, and once again lived up to their reputations as chokers. Even the ever-positive coach Jorg Steinbrunner was at a loss for words.

Finally, a voice spoke up. It was Luqman, the keeper.

"Guys, I'm sorry for that mistake. Really. Especially to Ben. Sorry man, I made you score an own goal."

A brief silence, then applause followed. The team gather round, and encouraged the poor keeper. "Don't worry, everybody makes mistakes" defender Lucien Dronca said.

Ben stayed silent. He wasn't angry. He was just a bit confused. Who could blame him? So much has happened over the past week, and even more was to come for this young man.

retired_bbcarr

Nope, it's all made up. Off the top of my head. </BLOCKQUOTE>

Ben, if you're not joking there and this story isn't based on the game, then I'm afraid it raises some issues. This forum is for stories based on SI management games, and if we allow ones made up out of thin air, it could open a whole can of worms.

I'm going to close this temporarily whilst I consult with my fellow mods.