Venture 14 FC- "It must find the resources to come back"

League Report
09 May 2008

A series of potholes have hit Venture 14 in its quest to finish foruth in the league in order to qualify for the playoffs. Definitely, the team has underestimated the opponents: Pikachu, Tag United and FC Anonymous. A lesson of 'not judging the book by its cover' was painfully learnt for the team. In the match against Tag United, it was learnt through the final few minutes as a penalty was conceded as a result of dubious refeering decision. In the other match, the team conceded two early goals in the first half but got a point when Jacky scored a goal towards the end of the game. In the recently concluded match on 4 May, they gave in 5 goals to FC Anonymous in the first half, scoring a third loss so far.

There is a greater need for the team to be equipped and play their positions well. The trend so far has been relying on a few key players who have given tremendously to the campaign. Midfield appears to be an area that needs to be covered well. "We are developing our own homegrown talent," mused Fengqi, centre-back who marshlled the team's defence. Despite the critics who had cited the team's failings in recent matches as some supporters noticed the weariness and lack of subsititution options. Nevertheless, it is a playing philosophy perhaps Venture 14 sticks by.

There is a possbility of recalling key players: for eg, kenny, a well-famed theo walcott-alike winger who can help boast the attacks especially when the team loses its attacking momentum or help change the game at critical junctures. A creative re-deployment of players is useful as well when Jacky was converted to an attacking mid-fielder instead of defensive mid half-way during the Pikachu game. That proves to be effective. New signings can be helpful to provide the fresh legs and score the crucial goals. Reports have it that the team is on the look-out, scouting during its training sessions with outside groups. Two potential midfielders were indentified and invited to play. They could debut in the remaining matches to come. Faithful support from the fans can indirectly snowball to creating a potential "Anfield" atmosphere for crucial games.

Like it or not, the team's experiences will help and certainly set the stage for 'the match of the season' against the league title contender, 2024 FC, a much-anticipated match most players look forward especially after a pre-season friendly when the ill-prepared team lost 2-7. With a congested schedule expected as the league is set to finish the season by mid-july with the playoffs happening after that, a possible third encounter with 2024 could be expected as the first league team will play with fourth placing, second versus third placing. That is a triple which is eagerly anticipated. (This means Venture 14 could meet FC Anonyomus or Evo in the finals if it makes it through.) Still, a win secured against 2024 will be a great morale boast to the team, if not shock the league community as 2024 has not lost yet.

Provided Venture 14 continues to play well, show a stronger resilience to come back, find the resources to do so, the team could then look well-poised to secure the only playoffs berth that is heavily contested now by various teams.