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Soccer Stories |
2005 Brisbane Diwali Tournament.
SSSC Soccer made the journey to Brisbane to take part in the 2005 Brisbane Diwali Tournament. It took place on the 29th of October 2005.
Our first game saw us up against the boys from Newfarm, Brisbane. They were the team we had lost to in the final of the Renmark Sikh Games so a win here would have been relished. The game started well with both teams having chances to score, though Newfarm should really have put a few away. Towards the end of the half Newfarm's pressure on the defence paid off and their veteran striker, Angie, put them one goal up. Ranz got injured and did not play the second half. This brought Ricky into goals and young Deep into the middle. After half time it was more of the same. Newfarm scored another goal and that was how it ended, 2 - 0 to Newfarm.
Our second game was against Sydney. The Sydney guys put in a strong performance and beat us 3 - 0 (2 - 0 at half time).
For our proud team the results were not very good on paper but we did achieve other things this time around. The boys played with a lot of spirit and kept their heads up. A lot of our younger players also got the opportunity to play full games with a majority of our senior players missing. Well done to the eventual winners of the tournament, Newfarm, who beat Sydney 3 -0 in the final. They showed us all the value of fitness and discipline, two vital ingredients in the winning formula!
SSSC Brisbane Diwali Tournament Team 2005
Standing L-R: Sat, Shane, Shane, Ricky, Vish, Chandan, Gurdip.
Kneeling L-R: Tinka, Jagjit, Harji, Ranz, Deep, Jaj.
2005 League Best and Fairest.
Congratulations to Hardeep Singh Garcha (Harj) for being voted the best and fairest player for Singh Sabha Sports Club Soccer Team in this years league. Harj is our captain and has been leading by example for many years now.
Also recognised is Satjinderpal Singh (Bittu) who finished a very close second in the votes.
2005 Sikh Games Soccer Report.
By Navdeep Singh (Navi)
All the preparation was done and we had assembled one of the strongest soccer squads to represent Singh Sabha. There was an air of confidence when most of the boys arrived on Thursday night, but also a look in eyes that said a job was to be done.
Our first game was against archrival Brisbane New Farm. Over the years we had played in some great battles and many believed this was going to be an early preview to the final on Sunday. The game lived up to expectations as both teams created goal-scoring opportunities. First one team would threaten to take the game away and then the other would raise their game. New Farm looked dangerous from set plays and when Angie was near the ball. Singh Sabha looked good when the ball was played on the floor and were able to run at the opposition. The game had plenty of tension and tempers threatened to boil over on the stroke of half time but common sense prevailed. The boys settled well in the second half with Jag Canada shutting down the threat of Angie and some dangerous runs being made by the likes of Dally, Gurj and Nav. We were starting to get on top but just needed to finish the job. A change was made when Jaj, returning from an overseas trip and under a fitness cloud, came on. Within minutes he showed his class as everyone held their breath when he glided past two men put the ball past the keeper only to denied by the post. Not long after, Jag who had limited the impact of New Farms biggest weapon (Angie), set out to show his attacking flair. The ball made its way to Jaj and this time nothing was going to stop the ball. 1-0 with not long to go. We held on for a hard fought victory but somehow we knew we had not seen the last of New Farm.
The second game was against Adelaide. The previous year we had only beaten them 1-0 and knew this was not going to be an easy game. Our boys came out firing and could easily have been a few goals up in the first 10 minutes. An early change was forced on the coaching staff as Nav picked up an injury. However with the great depth of the team this had no affect. If anything the team got even better as last games goal scorer Jaj replaced him. It was only a matter of time when the goal was going to come and when Shane went past the keeper the floodgates were set to open. There was a momentary lapse in defensive concentration but Ranz made great save. Jaj added two more goals to his account. Dally produced a class finish after another bit of Jag magic and Chandan scored his first ever goal at the Sikh Games. The final score was 5-0 but could easily have been a few more. Day one was over and we were off to a dream start. However the team got its first set back when it learned that Nav sustained a small fracture and would take no further part in the tournament.
Our final group game was scheduled against Renmark however due to lack of numbers they were forced to forfeit. (Best of luck to the Renmark boys in getting their side together, it is clear that they are very passionate about their football.) This allowed the boys a well-deserved rest on Saturday morning and confirmed our position at the top of group 1.
New Zealand beat Sydney to earn a spot against us in the semi final.
The boys were pumped up and ready to go as we entered the business end of the campaign. The first 15 minutes produced soccer of the highest level. We were 2-0 up in minutes and New Zealand was visibly stunned. The two goals were straight off a highlights package from the English Premier League or the Italian Seria A. Jaj played two defence breaking passes and Shane and Dally did what all strikers should. The combined strike force of Jaj, Shane and Dally could easily have been confused as being Rivaldo, Ronaldo and Ronaldinho of Brazil. With the rest of the team providing them great support the crowd witnessed some breathtaking soccer. New Zealand realising they were no match for our boys and resorted to using more physical tactics. Shane had to be carried off midway through the first half, as did Pargy in the second after two very late challenges and others also pulled up sore. The boys took their foot off the pedal after third goal came from a Bassi penalty. Although we went on to win the game comfortably 3-1 everyone was concerned about the mounting injuries and a little disappointed with the referee not providing protection for the ball player.
New Farm beat Brisbane Sikh Union in the other semi and as predicted the final would be New Farm against Singh Sabha.
Sunday morning arrived and the first thing on everyone’s mind was how the injured players would pull up. The good news was that most had recovered well, including Pargy who had been cleared of any damage and ready to play in the final. Unfortunately the news was not so good for Shane. He had worked extremely hard to become one of the most improved players in the tournament, however he would have to watch the biggest game of the year from the sidelines.
Again the tension was high as everyone prepared for the game they had been waiting for all year. The players were told their roles for the game and when the first whistle was blown most were confident and determined that after finishing second last year it was our turn to lift the cup. We had some great early opportunities to take the lead however the ball didn’t end up in the back of the net. We controlled most of the possession and had the better of New Farm in most positions. They created a couple of chances on the counter attack, the second of which hit the inside of the post and went into the back of the net. New Farm led 1-0 with about 10 minutes to go in the first half. The boys to their credit didn’t put their heads down and hit back when captain Deepa equalised. The half time whistle was blown and it was 1-1. The second half saw Singh Sabha return to the beautiful soccer they produced on the first two days. It again seemed as against Adelaide, it would only be a matter of time before a goal was scored and the floodgates would open. However completely against the run of play New Farm found a second goal. When a what seemed to be cross ended up in the back of the net we found ourselves a goal down again. We continued to dominate the game and shot after shot was somehow blocked firstly by the goalkeeper, then the frame of the goal and then some desperate goalmouth defending. When the New Farm goalkeeper produced arguably the save of the tournament to deny a Pargy bullet it seemed that God was not on our side on this occasion. New Farm weathered the storm and held on to become champions. Our congratulations must go to them.
We had fallen short at the final hurdle. There is no doubt every player could hold his head up high. This tournament has seen the makings of a great team and many players have won the respect of not only the Singh Sabha people but also the opposition players and spectators. With such a young average age this team is destined for great things but behind every great success story there is great pain and sacrifice. This bunch of guys has experienced the pain and must continue to make sacrifices and the success will come. Let me assure all inside Singh Sabha and outside OUR TIME WILL COME.
First Ever Australian Representative Sikh Soccer Team 2004.
Standing L-R U/K, Jagraj Pangly (SSSC), Kamreet (Sydney), U/K, Gurj (Brisbane Newfarm), Joga (Sydney), Satjinderpal "Bittu" (SSSC), Gogi (Sydney), Angie (Brisbane Newfarm), U/K (Sydney), Ranz (SSSC), Bobby Mangat (Sydney), Biki (Brisbane Newfarm).
Kneeling L-R U/K, Chan (Sydney), Hardeep "Deepa" (SSSC), Bobby Kang (Sydney), Ravi (Sydney), Pargy (SSSC), U/K (Sydney), Sukh (Sydney), Donnie (Brisbane Newfarm) (If you know the names of the U/K players please e-mail info@singhsabhasportsclub.com so we can update the information.)
For the first time ever, arch rivals became team mates to participate under the "India" banner in an international tournament held in Sydney involving local and overseas teams from Fiji, New Zealand, USA and Canada. It was a pleasure to have the opportunity to watch the best talent in Australian Sikh Soccer together on the same park.
Even though the results didn't go in our favour the team, which didn't even train together once, held their own against class opposition. They got better with each match and I am sure if they had a week of practice together they could have won it all.
The highlight would have to have been seeing Bittu and Angie, two of the most respected and lethal attackers in Australian Sikh Soccer history, combining together up front. It is obvious to us younger blokes that these two guys are still on top of their game and will continue to give defenders (mostly goalkeepers!) plenty of headaches.
The main thing, new friendships were made. Old rivalries melted away and the SSSC boys discovered that the lads from Newfarm and Sydney aren't that bad. Mind you, I am sure the next time the teams meet on the park, us in our SSSC Blue and White, the rivalry will be back! However, I am sure that once we walk of the pitch we will be mates!
SSSC Future.
A warning to our opponents, keep an eye on these guys. Dally and Gurj have already represented SSSC seniors at the Sikh games and have impressed everyone. The next one to watch for is Biki (son of Bittu). He will be causing all opponents stress in the midfield for years to come.
L to R - Dally, Gurj and Biki.