Sky Adventure Futsal Competition 2013

Joga bonito – Portuguese, for a ‘beautiful game’. Those two words describe exactly what transpired on the 29th of June, when the Sky Adventure Club of Taylors University organized the Sky Adventure Annual Futsal Competition 2013. Held annually, an estimated 184 people of different ethnicity and age gathered to play futsal and to compete against each other in the name of sports.

Registration Booth

However, the day was not without its hiccups and challenges, and preparation had to begin even in the wee hours of the morning. At 6 a.m. in the morning of competition day, members were already there cleaning the futsal court and checking to ensure that the court was fit and ready for match play. Tables and chairs were arranged and scoreboards were prepared. By the time the clock hit 7 a.m., breakfast had arrived, thanks to Pokemon and a few others who packed some McDonald’s breakfast for us. Flora, the P.I.C. of the F&B department soon too arrived along with Adora with many sandwiches, drinks, and food for all SAC members. Soon enough, with the arrival of Scooby and all the other members, the booths were all set up and registration was opened at 8 a.m. when teams started arriving.

Members hard at work 

Registration took around an hour or so, and during that period of time, our official certified referees arrived along with our voluntary service St John members.

Chigga busy mending the registration booth

At 9 a.m. the first matches for the group stage had begun. With two courts being used, the first two matches were between MyTeam VS Maldivian Titans and Shangri La vs Bonito FC. 4 groups were pitted against each other, with 6 teams in each. The first few matches were smooth and exciting with players playing against each other with much enthusiasm. A sense of electricity was felt in the air, as the music blasted in the background.

Qualifying round

As time passed and the teams played against each other, we soon arrived at the quarterfinals. Two teams from each group were chosen to enter the quarterfinals stage. From group A, Peykan and Gamma Lads made it to the quarterfinals and as from Group B, AnC and Shah Alam Boys. Group C, Suits and Red Bulls FC. Group D, Phoenix FC and SkyTrex. It then led to the semi-finals, with only Peykan, AnC, Gamma Lads and Phoenix FC left in the game.

All teams going all out to make it through the finals

The semi-finals is where the last four teams decide which two will fight for title of being the SAFC 2013 Champion. With this, there were only Peykan, Gamma Lads, AnC and Phoenix FC left in the game. The matches were Peykan VS Phoenix FC and AnC VS Gamma Lads. The first match eventually rolled out and the results soon emerged.

After two harrowing and close matches, Peykan and Gamma Lads eventually emerged as the finalists respectively. AnC and Phoenix then fought it out for the 3rd and 4th placing while the finalist took a break before their final match. AnC soon won the match and was the 2nd runner up for the SAFC 2013.

Team AnC after winning their match

Team Phoenix

It was tensed and gripping, as Peykan and Gamma Lads prepared to face off against each other in the match that will decide who will be champion for the SAFC 2013. With a 14min match, both teams played very well and eventually went into a draw. With two equally strong teams, the referees decided to call it a penalty and both teams started the penalty stage. Everyone was on the edge of their seats, including the committee themselves. It was a sight to behold and experience as breaths were held. Even at such a stage, both goalkeepers showed an equal amount of skill in saving the ball. But just like all competitions, there could only be one winner and the team in purple walked away being champions for the day. Gamma Lads had proved to be the better team for the day.

Team Gamma Lads (In Purple), Team Peykan and the referees 

before the final match

Number 10, from Team Gamma Lads about to make a goal 

He shoots, he scores! One point for Gamma Lads

Team Peykan hungry for victory after the goal.

Both teams doing their best to get the ball

The Goalkeeper from Team Peykan doing his best to defend the goal

Howie, the goalkeeper from Team Gamma Lads doing his best as well

Number 9, taking a deep breath before taking his penalty shot

Bring it on

Calmly adjusting the ball before making  his penalty shoot

Penalty kick off by Number 7 from Team Gamma Lads

Tired and drenched in sweat, players were exhausted but proud as they proceeded to receive their prizes. Gamma Lads walked away with RM700 in cash prize. The first runner-up was Peykan, with a RM400 cash prize followed by AnC with a cash prize of RM300.

Medals for the winners

Team AnC, coming in 3rd place

Team Peykan, coming in 2nd place

Team Gamma Lads, who were the champions for the day!

All three teams were given medals and smiles were seen as they posed for the camera. An additional prize were given to the teams, which were SkyTrex vouchers worth RM700 that was given to Howie, the goalkeeper from Gamma Lads for being the best player and also to AnC for the team with the biggest goal difference. It was a long and tiring day, but the results were rewarding. All members of the Sky Adventure Club worked together to ensure the competition went as smoothly as possible and resolved the challenges that were faced together. Sportsmanship was seen that day as teams shook hands and played ball, all sharing the same common interest.

A very big thank you to H-Two-O for kindly sponsoring free drinks!

Indeed, you really have to be there, for only then can you fully appreciate the beauty of the sport. Joga Bonita, the beauty of the game.

Signing off,

Emcee.