The Flying Tankers Emerge Champions!

We are the champions! Yes, that’s us ‘The Flying Tankers’. Don’t know where we got that name, rasanya Maidin punya kerja lah ni…But as in the movie ‘The Recruit’, things are never what it seems..hehe

The whole idea of the Alumni Look East Policy Society (ALEPS) Futsal Tournament was to pull in members who were generally inactive to participate in one of our activities. By doing this, we would be able to sow the seeds for participation in other events and more notably to inform and invite them to our AGM which is usually in May.

Being the second edition of this tournament, we decided to change the format. Last year, the top two teams in their groups (there were only 2 groups, 9 teams) would advance to the semi’s and then the final was played. By doing this, the losing teams would adjourn thus leaving the final to be a subdued affair. So, this year we decided to expand it to 3 levels of competition – Cup, Plate and Bowl. This year we managed to attract 13 teams. So, the format would be 2 groups – one with 6, the other 7. The top two would go to the Cup tournament, no’s 3 & 4 the Plate, and 5&6 into the Bowl tournament. In a bizarre turn of events, the Flying Tankers finished 6th in our group of 6..Jeng Jeng Jeng…Here’s where it gets interesting..

So, we finished last (no shame about it though, 2 draws & 3 defeats – and they were all by solitary goals) in the group. So we played the team that finished 5th in the other group. Beat Saga FC 1-0, then advanced to the final to meet No Name, who actually finished 6th in their group as well.

in he final, we got off to a bright start, scoring early, and controlling the game. But as in your everyday football game, it doesn’t end till the final whistle is blown. We lost our concentration and ended up conceding in the final minute of the game. The whistle blew and we were now in the penalty shootout – 3 a side.

They were up first, saved by Komeng. Abu stepped up and scored! Then, they were up and Komeng saved again! It was now my turn – and having been in this situation before (when Wakayama twice won in Gifu 1998 & 99 in similar circumstances), coolly slotted in the penalty… So there it was, we finished last in our group, but ended champions (albeit Piala Mangkuk)! Viva Flying Tankers!