TeamCuzz’s Season in Summary
If there was one thing that could have changed the entire outcome of the season, it was TeamCuzz’s slow start to the season. Even a certain Bajaj Pulsar would have picked up way faster! After 2 games, TeamCuzz could only record a negative goal difference of 6 (points are purposely omitted to avoid further embarrassment).
They picked up the pieces in the next one, racing clear to a 3 nil lead in the first 20 minutes against FC Premier. But then, Premier fought back only to be cruelly silenced by Captain Shahrudin’s brilliant individual effort. TeamCuzz carried this positive morale into the next game and were duly rewarded by taking an early lead against the gigantic TGAS in the similarly gigantic Dempsey pitch. They even fought back to draw level after going down, but suicidal defending gave TGAS the 3 points in the end.
The next few matches are ones that every TeamCuzz player should remember and be proud of. Beginning with the 3-0 massacre of Black Hawks, TeamCuzz went on a supreme 9 match unbeaten run, plucking a continuous stream of points from Dynamites, Tuas, Andrastos (all twice) and Real Ale and Primero (once each). The latter 2 was sweet considering TeamCuzz had lost to both teams in the first 2 matches of the season.
Then came the Big One. Looking comfortable at the top-end of the table, TeamCuzz knew the title would be decided right there and then. The result would determine whether the trophy heads to the various bars in the Lion City or back to the rural kampong of Pengerang. TeamCuzz were left disheartened after the game, with TGAS looking more determined to achieve a complete sweep of TeamCuzz. Unfazed, TeamCuzz went into the next couple of matches against friend/foe Blue Oysters looking to consolidate 2nd position in the league. That was not to be though, as TeamCuzz succumbed to a defeat and a draw in the hands of the eventual runner-up.
With Black Hawk feeling generous to award TeamCuzz with some financial injection and a 3 nil victory, TeamCuzz only had the match against FC Premier to help salvage their season. They did it in style, recording a 6-0 victory with all goals coming in the 2nd half.
All in all, TeamCuzz’s commitment towards the cause this season is simply remarkable. Apart from the early season glitches, TeamCuzz recorded an outstanding average attendance of 15 players (a feat only achieved sparingly in the first season).
Personal Accolades
TeamCuzz pays tribute to players for some of the more noticeable/recorded achievements. Congratulations!
Most Goals Scored
- Shahrudin Salleh – 13
- Joseph Obaje – 9
- Haikal Sulaiman – 9
Most Man-of-the-Match Awards
- Joseph Obaje - 4
- Muhd Imran Ayub - 3
- Saifuddin Salleh – 2
Most Appearances
- Fazlon Abdul Wahab - 17
- Haikal Sulaiman – 17
- Muhd Imran Ayub - 17
10 Defining Moments (in random order)
There are many memorable moments that have lightened up TeamCuzz’s season. Here are some that I thought were significant events that turned our season. Some turned our season for the better, while others are milestones worth reflecting upon. Which do you think is the ONE that truly defined our season? Do vote at the poll on the left. If you have others to share, please do so via the comments below.
Post-season dinner at Chai Chee Seafood Restaurant
In a nice gesture, the management arranged a dinner at Chai Chee Seafood Restaurant to recognize and appreciate the efforts of all players for the first season. It was a milestone attained for TeamCuzz, with the largest number of players turning up and unanimously voted their Most Valuable Player and Most Improved Player of the season via SMS.
Presence and Regularity of a Natural GK
Unlike the first season, which saw TeamCuzz being blighted by uncertainty between the sticks, TeamCuzz's second season saw 1st chocie GK Aril constantly present, notching 5 cleansheets in 14 appearances. His presence by itself reassures the defence (in fact the whole team) that there is a reliable last line of defence. With TeamCuzz's only other choice being the untested Naiim, Aril looks highly unlikely that he will be displaced from being the #1 anytime soon.
Fazlon’s threat to quit
After suffering an embarrassing 6-1 defeat in the hands of Real Ale Madrid in the first game of the new season, TeamCuzz was further shocked by the news that influential right-full back Fazlon no longer wants to don the TeamCuzz jersey. Negotiations between the management and player helped put an end to this, but it certainly had the team worried for a long while. The implication it had though was magnificent. It made the team reflect, mend their ways and showed a clean-cut display on the pitch. We can laugh about it now, but truth be told, for it to happen so early in the season certainly had significant impact for the remainder of the season.
TeamCuzz signs Hyder & Joseph Obaje
With the team in need for quality, TeamCuzz’s Chief Scout, Johny Faizuloos, went on a nationwide search for talent at affordable(zero) prices. His search ended as far as Meridian Junior College, when he stumbled upon the dynamic duo. Both had a large part to play in TeamCuzz’s season, with Hyder injecting the much-needed energy in central midfield while Joseph showed his quality by scoring 9 goals in 8 games, notably a hat-trick against Dynamites at Turf city.
Win against Tuas Soccerites
While riding on the back of 3 consecutive wins against seemingly “lesser” opponents, TeamCuzz faced the daunting task of facing then-leaders Tuas Soccerites. They were never unfazed by the occasion though, putting up a fabulous team effort to pick up a well-deserved victory. The win was credited to all, from the manager’s ability to be tactically spot-on for the day to every single player’s positional discipline and will to win. It has been dubbed as TeamCuzz’s best win since the victory over NIE a couple of years back. It also proved TeamCuzz’s title credentials, epitomized by Fazlon’s post-match comment “I can now see the TeamCuzz name up there!”
SembCorp’s sponsorship of Black Adidas Jersey
After fans sounded the board for a new jersey, SembCorp came in swiftly to put up an irresistible offer of jerseys. Within weeks, the deal was done. The jersey was donned for the first time against TGAS, which ironically sparked the start of the end of TeamCuzz’s title hopes. Nevertheless, the excitement of getting a new jersey without having to fork out anything at all is certainly something worth cherishing.
High-tech equipment for Game Analysis
As he was down injured, Shikin exercised initiative by contributing from beyond the touchline. Apart from being the chief advisor to the manager, he also initiated the match ratings that he compiled after every game. He was even spotted once with a laptop by the sidelines, analyzing God-knows-what. Nevertheless, the practice has since continued as it is seen as a platform for players to continually improve their performances for future games.
KH support at Springfield Sec
TeamCuzz enjoyed their largest turnout ever when 10 KH members stood/ sat/ leaned against the fence under the hot sun to offer support for their less-than-favorite soccer ‘stars.’ It was indeed a big turnout considering the previous highest was 1, when Mr. Ismail sat by himself in the stands at Marsiling. The significance of this tenfold increase in attendance bears more meaning than just a mere increase in gate receipts. Together with the funds contributed by all layers of KH a few weeks earlier, it shows that TeamCuzz’s influence has grown on KH, and that we are no longer just a football team in their eyes.
Support for Injured Player
In a touching gesture, every TeamCuzz player (old, new & very new) came down to the residence of Shikin to award him with a small token for the injury attained while donning the TeamCuzz jersey. It was certainly the perfect way to show the camaraderie that exists within the team, with a clear message being sounded – You’re out, but you’re never out alone.
9-game unbeaten run
As mentioned earlier, TeamCuzz showed their true strength as they went on an almost unstoppable winning run that no other team could pride themselves with. It provided TeamCuzz with an aura of invincibility that they are going to win every single game they played in. A settled side certainly contributed to this in a large way.
Note: Do not forget to vote!!!
Summing Up…
This has been a long season as proven by the length of this post. Although I get nothing for doing so, just like our trophy-less endeavors this season, I must say every moment has been worth it - the times preparing for matches; the times warming up for matches; the times getting tactical updates from Rafa (who btw did send his regards from Saudi, reaffirming that he and wife are well); and the times we played and won together. If I had doubts about the team last season, I stand corrected this time round. To those who brought me back, thanks. The progress made has been substantial and credit should and must be given to the management for making it happen. For the first time in a long time, a team is born at TeamCuzz, a team that bonds not just on the pitch but off it as well.
And I can only hope it continues.
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