Best Gift Ever

Written by Kong Chin Tuan, captain of the 1 Malaysia team that made it to the Final of the Elevyn Futsal Tournament.

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Introduction

Fair Trade Futsal Tournament is a fund-raising futsal tournament put together to raise funds through a sporting event to help artisans in poverty. Why? Fair Trade is about recognizing the producers behind the items we use. It is about buying responsibly and saying no to sweatshop conditions, underpaid workers and child labour.
(Source: www.elevyn.com/futsal/)

1 Malaysia is a team comprising ordinary individuals with extraordinary humour and heart. The heartbeat of this multiracial team is in the likes of M.L. Chai, H.L. Cheng, C.T. Kong, Mohd Al Hazim, Surya, C.H Tan, T.H. Tan & Diksha.

Short of some of their full team members, these individuals were reunited on this eventful and memorable day, 29th Nov 2009 after more than 6 months of NOT playing on the same pitch together.

1 Malaysia got into this tournament via an invitation by a kind and caring lady by the name of S.L. Khing. 1 Malaysia’s main objective was to ‘fair-play’ and be charitable. Little did the team know that they were going to progress to a place higher beyond expectations.

A Sorry End For A Terrific Beginning

Many might think that 1 Malaysia must be a happy team, to have won the silver medals despite not having played together for at least half a year. Deep down in my heart, it was the bond of team that made me and probably us happier than the medals did.

Team 1 Malaysia

What happened? In the first group match against SOLS Blue Lions, it was the final seconds of the match. 1 Malaysia had clawed back from a goal down and was now leading 3-1. A wonderful pass comes to Al Hazim’s legs. He turns free of his marker and readies a shot. And BOOM!! 4-1. Unfortunately came the follow through by the defender and SNAP!! Al Hazim’s ankle gave way under his whole body weight. A substitution was made and as soon as the kick-off was taken, PHWEET!! The game was over. 1 Malaysia won 4-1 but lost the player who scored a hattrick in the 1st game.

Hazim's swollen ankle

After that game, our minds were no longer on the tournament. Hazim was at the bench, agonizing in pain. St. John Ambulance volunteers were busy working on his foot, with the wrong ointments. So, Diksha and me, ex St. John cadets ourselves took over and gave the young cadets some advice. Maybe they just panicked a little, as it was the first case of the day. Soon Hazim was on his way to the University Hospital with the company of T.H. Tan. At that, the team that started off with 8 was now down to 6.

The Game Must Go On

We watched blankly at the other matches’ going on around us, each silently hoping that everything is well. Once in a while, we would call over to check the status of our poor friend. The next game was coming up. Hazim was still waiting his turn at the hospital. It seems T.H. Tan will not be back in time for the game. We restructured and re-gathered our spirits. We can’t let our friends down after such a great start. H.L. Cheng upped his game and 1 Malaysia beat Youth Asia 3-0. As soon as the final whistle went, we were on the phone again to check on our friend.

Hazim was receiving inspection and treatment. Good news finally came but not without some bad ones too. Hazim was cleared to leave hospital. 1 Malaysia only needed a draw to go through to the next stage as group leaders. The bad news is, there was only 10 minutes left before our next match. M.L. Chai was ready to go fetch them from the hospital. T.H. Tan may have sacrificed his best chance of playing in the tournament, being one of our weaker players. A tough decision to continue without them was made. 1 Malaysia drew 0-0 with Crazy Gang and was through to the knockout stage.

As soon as the game was over, the entire team sped off to the hospital. Talk about team spirit. That was one true example. Got there, fooled around a bit and we were soon back at the Challenger Sports Center. Grabbed our lunch and got ready for the next stage that we never expected to arrive at. Other teams we already seen warming up on the courts. Our next opponents were SOLS 24/7.

May The Best Team Win

That game was a thriller. SOLS 24/7 went a goal up, we got back at them. Again they went ahead, and again we got back at them. It was a non-stop action game that got the crowd on the edge of their seats. The game ended 2-2.

All eyes were set as the penalty takers got ready. SOLS 24/7 first spot kicker put the ball at the back of the net. I was up next. Calmly setting up the ball, a short run and GOAL!! 1-1. Their next kicker got ready and took his kick. Our goalkeeper, Surya dived to the right direction and managed to keep the ball out. H.L. Cheng made it 2-1 for us and their last player also managed to score. The pressure was on Diksha but he brought us to the next round with his well-taken penalty. We were overjoyed.

HL Cheng Taking His Spot Kick

We were through to the semis. CLC FC was the next team against us. We stuck with our game plan, which was to win no matter what as we have already gotten so far. Both teams were in search for a sole goal and to defend thereafter. We tested them as much as they tested us. Soon came an opportunity at a counter attack and we did not waste it. 1 Malaysia won again and this time the score line was 1-0. IT WAS THE FINALS. WE WERE THROUGH TO THE FINALS. This has been an awesome experience thus far regardless of what have happened.

However, our shortcomings surfaced evidently in the Finals against Maxis. They were the better team. Our depleted 1 Malaysia team was well-beaten 4-0. We still stood tall and shook their hands in the spirit of Fair Play and friendship. We congratulated them on their victory and held our heads high on our own achievements.

Team 1 Malaysia with their silver medals and sponsored gifts.

1 Malaysia team will always stay in my memory as the Best Birthday Gift Ever. Not the medals, the vouchers from PushMore or BEyoga, nor the gift basket from Starbucks. But the knowledge of a multiracial friendship well bonded through thick and thin.

Dedicated to the 1 Malaysia Team…
From the Birthday Boy,
C.T. KONG