there's so much better vj can do.

For the courtesy of those who are unaware, the A division soccer tournament has just concluded. Perhaps to most, the outcome isn't expected at all. The Championship had gone to the underdogs RJC (I hate to say this). MJC lost out narrowly to them 0-1 in the finals that took place yesterday at the National Stadium.

Oh wait. Where's VJ?!

If you haven't already know, we got knocked out in a semi final clash against RJC, which ended in penalties. We were down to play for our pride in the 3rd/4th placing match against SAJC, a team which we drew 1-1 against during one of the group matches. The final score for that match was 2-1 in favour of VJ, which in doing so, earned a crucial top 3 placing.

Why the sudden turn of tables this year round? Why wasn't VJ in the finals for the first time in 8 years?

Many would attribute to the fact that this current team did not have as much teamwork as they should, which in other words, means that they are more individualistic. Some may say that complacency set in. I would say that a strong reason why they lost out in a vital semi final match was the absence of the teacher-coach Mr Tan. He wasn't there for medical reasons, and his absence was surely felt, as the team looked lost and disorganised most of the time. The team's discipline was also on a low as some players made gestures to suggest overconfidence. Nevertheless, we still have to acknowledge the fact that they must have put in their best in every game, despite the pressure of retaining the Championship.

I say: Well done, Victorians!

I believe I mentioned before that this VJ generation was more enthu and more willing to cheer their hearts out. But I was on the verge of taking back my words yesterday. It was a 3rd/4th placing match, a match not as important as the finals, but a match that still needed as much support or even more than past matches. But what I saw was rather disappointing. It was the smallest crowd size I have ever seen, backing our team. The student council were absent. And I figured why. They must have banked their hopes more in the hockey girls match that was happening concurrently. Well, the thing is, both the 3rd/4th match and the hockey girls finals were against the same opposition, SAJC and yet the size of SA's crowd at the soccer match was about 4 to 5 times more than VJ's.

As for the finals, RJC vs MJC, I honestly but reluctantly admit that RJC played a better game. They were more composed in attacking, but not so much in defending. Well, attack is the best form of defence. And that's probably what they did. But as I was watching the game, I could not help but notice how VJ's team was seated on the far left end on the field, looking rather reminiscent of how it feels like to play in the finals.

After the finals, I met up with one of my juniors in RJC, who was obviously very ecstatic over her school's victory. She told me how low profile their soccer team was in past years compared to other sports like rugby and table tennis, but they quietly trained very hard this year. There's something she said that striked me - 'this (RJC's victory) shows that as long as you put in hardwork, you can achieve what you set out to achieve.'

So perhaps, it is time for VJ to do some reflections on what had gone wrong in the sports season, not only for soccer, but also for other sports like the hockey boys which could have done much better. This is probably not VJ's year, but setbacks only serve to make people stronger. One thing is for sure: we will be back stronger next year.

Nil Sine Labore.