Sports News
Senior Soccer Report
On Tuesday the 30th of May, 18 keen senior students made their way to Monash sport with spring in their steps. There was a feeling of optimism in the air as the whole team was fit, healthy and injury free.
Zareef Zulkarnain and Rohan Lim had been selected as captains and they had carefully planned how to maximise the skills of their teammates. This was clearly demonstrated on the large whiteboard they had “borrowed” from a science lab.
After a brief warm up some skill drills the team came together for a lively pep talk and final advice from Bennie Howell our keeper. “I can see the big picture so listen to me and pass the message forward”. With this in mind the team was ready for their first game against South Oakleigh Secondary College.
The first 15 minutes of the game involved two well matched teams playing their hardest. Solid defense from both sides kept the scoreline 0 : 0 until the last minute before half time. A loose ball in the box allowed our Captain Zareef to use his body to ping the ball past the Sth Oakleigh keeper.
A regroup, some lolly snakes and advice from the captains to “keep up the pressure” saw the team return to the field ready for action. The game stepped up a notch physically and Stuart Pagel was fouled in the box. Stepping up to the spot Liam Bowles blasted his shot past the Sth Oakleigh keeper to put JMSS into a 2:0 lead. Seizing an opportunity Brian Lim took his chance with a well-passed through ball to score the third goal. Giving JMSS a convincing 3 : 0 win. Pretty much a perfect start to the day.
“Hydration, nutrition and electrolytes” is the constant mantra being repeated throughout each break. Each of these are essential as the team returned to the field for their second game after a 5 minute break. Wellington Secondary College were just as hungry for the win as JMSS and after another intense first half with no goals JMSS began to feel the price of continuous sprint repeats. “What causes cramps?” is not an idle academic question but a real life problem as the JMSS boys start to feel some serious pain. Pushing through the pain, Christopher Chan pushed the ball through the Wellington defenders and passed the ball to Aaron Baker who hit the back of the net to give JMSS the lead. Not to be out done Muhammad Essa accepted a pass across the face of goal and put a second goal past the Wellington keeper. When the ref blows the final whistle it is JMSS who has the 2:0 win.
During the 5 minute break a ray of hope is offered, the live match report tells us that Wheelers Hill is not as strong as either of the first two teams. This is a relief as the JMSS team has been beset with cramping issues. Our reserve players step up and ensure that JMSS maintains steady pressure. Within the first 3 minutes Brian Lim scored from a running pass. This is quickly followed up by Jacob Dorman taking his chance with a long shot outside the goal box. The curve is just right and a buffer of two goals means the team can relax. Brian Lim really likes the thought of the golden boot award and he finds enough energy to run past the Wheelers Hill defenders to score the third goal. In the final minutes Iliya Zolatarev remembers to stay onsite when the ball crosses the halfway mark and he pops a fourth goal in the JMSS bag. Final score 4:1 in favor of JMSS.
An elated but exhausted team heads into the lunch break. “Eat early to give yourself time to digest!” The science of recovery is in the front of all players' minds. However, the rich smell of rice and noodles is overshadowed by that of “deep heat” as sore quads and calves are massaged. Out comes a massage gun and the serious business of recovery begins, to prepare for the final match of the day.
Brentwood are always a strong team and the JMSS captains have observed them in action during the forth game. Key players are marked to be closed down and the strength of the keeper is a known factor.
JMSS stepped onto the field, strengthened from the break with one aim. TO WIN! A solid defense is mounted by Udhay Singh, Chris Chan, Rohan Lim and Cameron McCutcheon under Bennie Howell’s enthusiastic guidance. Supported by the whole team the first half sees no goals scored against JMSS. When Brentwood’s frustration turns physical, one of their players is red carded toward the end of the first half.
The start of the second half sees JMSS kicking with the wind at their backs against a team with a man short. The skill and will of the JMSS team meant that when the opportunity came they would score. Continuous pressure from our attacking mid field allowed Muhammad Essa to score our winning goal. Four wins from four games is a stunning result.
When asked what is better, a team of stars or a star team? The 2023 JMSS senior soccer team have demonstrated it is best to have both.
~ Cameron Senn-Sanger
