East Zone B-Div Soccer Finals: VS versus St Pats

On Wed evening, our boys played a hard-fought game with St Pat's. It has been 16 years since St Pat's has reached the Zone Finals and there was alot at stake for both schools.

St Pat's drew first blood with an early goal in the first half. Our boys staged a courageous comeback but superb goal keeping on St Pat's part and ill-luck with the cross-bar denied us the equaliser. No matter how hard we fought, we just couldn't seem to equalise and at full time, it was St Pat's that walked away with the winner's trophy.

I was impressed by the fighting spirit in both teams and I can see that there is a new found respect between the players of both schools- when VS first shifted to Siglap, there was the unavoidable sense of rivalry when ever our players encountered each other. But yesterday, the St Pat's boys really impressed me with the way they handled themselves under pressure, even when our striker collided with their goal keeper while going for the ball. The way the boys reorganised themselves, kept their cool, encouraged each other rather than start a ruckus showed that they are mature, seasoned players who take the match with VS very seriously and professionally.
There is much we can learn here.
Our boys also impressed me with our trade-mark 'Never say Die' attitude. In my opinion, Man of the Match should go to Dilip Thapa. Every challenge for the ball, every run to intercept loose ball, every header to vie for possession, you could see him there.

So here's a little tribute to our Victorian heroes!

3 cheers to our opponents St Pat's- thank you for that hard fought match, it brought out the best in both of us.
Let us push forward for the Nationals! Yeah!