RSUC Friendly Match in Seremban

 With the opening up of interstate travel for the fully vaccinated, it didn’t take too long for us to be invited by Royal Sg Ujong Club (RSUC) to Seremban for a friendly game on Saturday, 13 November 2021.

The response was fantastic with over 20 players signing up! 

 

We played at the newly laid out Astroturf Seremban stadium on a beautiful cloudy evening.

Fantastic evening for a game of hockey – team photo before the game

It was a reunion of sorts for the RSC and RSUC captains, Sanjay and Kali, who played together in 1989 for Majlis Perbandaran Seremban. Sanjay was just a teenage rookie, whilst Kali was already a seasoned veteran back then.

 

All travelling RSC players were given a fair share of playing time over 4 x 20 minute sessions and the game was played in a competitive, yet friendly manner.

 

Mohindar and Grewal, who recently made a comeback to RSC hockey, showed us that age did not matter as they impressed with their running, chasing and creating play from the midfield.

Grewal commanding play from the midfield

Mohindar blazing down the right side of the midfield

However, RSC still found it difficult to break into the tough RSUC defence, who thoroughly marked out our forwards and cutting off the passes from our midfielders.

It took our attacking defensive player, Bernard, who pushed forward many times, to eventually earn us a penalty stroke – taken by Sanjay.

 

Alas, our luck did not get better as Sanjay’s powerful flick flew past the goalie’s stick and smashed into the back wall of the stadium, missing by just a “couple” of inches. 

Sanjay watched in disbelief as the ball missed the mark

Despite the tight marking, Rohit and Ray still managed to take advantage of the rare gaps in concentration by the RSUC defence and goalie to squeeze in a goal each. Well done guys!

Rohit harassing the RSUC defence   

Gerard not giving the opponent even an inch

Ray chasing… who got to the ball first?     

Surinder attempting to stop the RSUC forward

Vishnu first off the block!

Sukhdev keeping a close eye on the ball

Unfortunately, with the frequent rotation of players in the RSC defence, RSUC capitalised on their opportunities in our D, as they scored 4 goals to eventually win 4-2. Congratulations RSUC!

After the game, we adjourned to the beautiful RSUC clubhouse for dinner and the usual formalities. New friends were made and old friends were reacquainted, after many months of MCO. It was indeed a delightful evening for players from both teams.

 

All smiles now after the game - Charles and his marker Ragu

Rohit and Ray - Goal scorers’ rewarded 

Thank you RSUC for being such great hosts. We shall see you again in RSC soon for our return game!