.... That's the whistle. The BC have finally beaten the German Cosmos. We are Singapore's best! We are the world's best! We have beaten the Germans! It is incredible! We have beaten the Germans! Ger-many, home of the giants. Adolf Hitler! Goethe! Franz Beckenbauer! Friedrich Nietzsche! Otto von Habsburg! Otto von Bismarck! Albert Einstein! Paul Julius Baron von Reuter! Emil the Detective! We have beaten each and every one of you! Angela Merkel, can you hear me? I have a message for you. We have sent the German Cosmo side away from Turf City. Angela Merkel ... as they say in the boxing bars around Madison Square Garden in New York: Your boys took a hell of a beating! Your boys took a hell of a beating! Because, Angela Merkel, the BC finally beat the Germans. We are the world's best ... (with apologies to Bjorge Lillelien of Norwegian state radio)
Ach, Scheisse, dass ist nur ein Traum.
Usual story ... early soft goal for the visitors, lots of huff & puff, missed chances, heroics in defence = heartache.
After a few weeks away, several new faces in the line-up ... and a 2-hour downpour to soften the pitch and make for a cool late-pm kick-off. The BC made the now customary sluggish start, struggling to come to terms with the Germans' 5-man midfield, fluid movement and short passing. It was hard work just trying to keep pace with them, and we didn't see a lot of the ball.
The Germans went ahead after about 15 minutes from a corner, with a weakly hit shot from inside the box that bobbed over the line despite two defenders having a swipe at it. The BC gradually found the rhythm of the game and pressed forward. RS (or is this really Knut trying to circumvent BC membership rules?) lashed a shot against an upright from a tight angle, but that was as good as it got in the first half. CB made a couple of good stops to keep us in the game and AP was huge at the back (apologies to Gay Pride Weekly). The visitors continued to carve out openings and had one effort that bounced back off both posts.
As seems now the norm, the second half saw a much better performance from the BC and we finished the game much the stronger side. MB struck the post with a fine effort from the left, AP had a long-range free-kick tipped over the bar, and JL saw a late strike well saved. GT used the ball sensibly in midfield, ably supported by the tireless BM, who ditched his traditional post-match tipple of old man's Victoria Beer for an evening of culture and fine wine-tasting. CP returned from holiday only to pull a hamstring after 15 minutes. MN had a tidy game at the back.
The referee did us no favours when he was quick to blow for a late challenge when stand-in skipper AL was clear, but it was a largely even game played in good spirit throughout. CB made a couple more terrific reflex saves in the second half and the Germans put a good scoring chance over the bar.
AL was determined to put aside his disappointment at losing two out of two in AM's absence -- and not scoring for the first time in lots and lots of games -- by out-culturing BM and spending an evening at the theatre, if you please -- courtesy of his pal Ronald. Apparently, if you Upsize four times in any one week, you can enter a draw for two free seats in the Upper Circle. Neat.
Man of the Match awarded jointly to CB in goal and AP for a rugged display at the heart of the defence.
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