It was a classic game. The rain came early one before the game to cool the day a little and make the pitch softer for the battle hardened bones of the veterans. It was the day the glorious Perak Bar Veteran football players who scared their opponents during the 90's met the ever fit Bench team.
Our team comprised of a number of famous players in their hey day. In goal, Akiruddin was our Pepe Reina and manage to concede only a single goal from a well taken free kick. After the game, he agreed with Gigi Buffon that Jabulani ball was very unpredictable. Faizul Helmy took over after the first third and suprised everyone with a number of shot stopping saves which could had easily increased the Bench's lead against us. Kudos to the keeper for his atheletic abilities.
In defence, Fey Aqis and Baldeep combined as centre backs much like the the John Terry and Rio Ferdinand for England, flanked by the tireless Fuaad Saibun and hard running albeit heavily strapped Stephen Su.
The engine room was marshalled by our venerable captain Kiko Dass whose defence splitting passes and energy rolls back the years. Our Nicky Chen operated as an attacking midfielder and did an excellent job in pushing forward and getting into many dangerous spaces and setting up great chances. Augustine Anthony was the surprise package on the right wing with his abundance of energy and dive and our very own Kinta Express, Elanggovan was on the left wing.
The attack was led by the two Perak Bar legendary strikeforce in Leong Sai Hwa and YB Keshvinder Singh whose touch and control was evident for all to be seen. The team was rounded up with the our utility man Dexter Mah who is the supersub with his energy and running when called upon.
The game was well attended by the Veteran members many of whom were waiting at the pitch since 4.00pm as instructed by our Captain. We were however made to wait till about 5.30 before the match was started. Support for the team came in the form of the wives and children of the players as well as a few members of the Perak Bar.
Both teams played a beautiful game but in the end the valiant efforts of the Perak Bar was defeated by the fitness and determination of the Bench 3-1 with our only consolation goal coming from our attacking midfielder Nicky Chen who also sponsored the Jabulani Game Ball for the game.
Our Captain Kiko Das would like to record his appreciation to all the veteran football members who answered the call to play that weekend. Our Sports Convenor Zaizuraimy also wishes to record his gratitude and commitment shown by the senior members of the bar and hopes that the junior members turn up in full force for the upcoming Perak-Penang Games in July this year.
Reported by Zaizuraimy and Kenny Lai
Photos courtesy of Kenny Lai
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