Friday, February 18, 2011

Sundram's Sizzler: How to do a Bicycle kick



PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT: Following Sundram's instructions, Fairoz Hasan executes the perfect bicycle kick. TNP PICTURE: CHOO CHWEE HUA

WEEKEND warriors with a sudden urge for that overhead-kick wonder goal, don't try this at home, or on the unforgiving concrete surroundings of the street soccer court.

Or without the supervision of an expert exponent of the acrobatic art of the bicycle kick like V Sundramoorthy.

The Dazzler, who has been immortalised in the collective memories of Singaporean football fans thanks to his spectacular bicycle-kick goal against Brunei in 1993, took The New Paper through the paces of executing the perfect overhead kick.

In the interest of not injuring the now 45-year-old national footballing icon, Young Lion Fairoz Hasan was the man tasked to perform the demonstration at Jalan Besar Stadium on Monday, under the tutelage and watchful eye of Sundram himself.

As the Dazzler was keen to point out, the bicycle kick is usually executed when the simpler task of heading the ball is ruled out due to the height or trajectory of the ball.

He freely admitted that his glorious goal at the National Stadium in the 8-0 Division Two Semi-Pro League win against Brunei was a result of him 'overunning the ball'.

Explaining how to execute an overhead kick Sundram said: 'First, you have to adjust your body position so your back is facing goal.

'From there you have to judge the flight of the ball.

'For me, I usually lift my left leg up first before jumping and leaning backwards so that my back is flush with the ground while my right leg is straightened ready to connect with the ball.'

Balance

The 45-year-old explained that the reason behind the dual leg movement is that it helps with balance and generating power in the shot.

'You need to try get a clean connection with the instep because when you are in this position, you can't really direct the ball, you just need to hit it hard towards goal before the goalkeeper can react.'

The final step is the least glamorous, hitting the ground flat on your back, unaware if you've 'done a Sundram' or skied the ball towards the nearby lamp post.

In the Dazzler's case, it was an action that etched him into the consciousness of a nation, but in your case, please ensure it doesn't end up with you losing consciousness.

By DILENJIT SINGH (Feb 16 TNP)
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The tonic for weekend warriors. Something to try on a Sunday!
Brilliant 2 articles by TNP focusing on a EPL moment with a local touch. Great idea to start with!

Sundram: Mine was harder (TNP Feb 16)


But former Lions star admits that Rooney's bicycle kick was on a completely different level
By Dilenjit Singh
February 16, 2011

MORE than any of the skilful moves he was renowned for, it is the one enduring memory fans have of the player they dubbed The Dazzler.

That V Sundramoorthy bicycle-kick goal against Brunei in 1993 during a Division Two Semi-Pro League match at the National Stadium. (the match finished 8-0 to Sgp and Sundram's BICYCLE KICK was i believed the last goal of the game)
It's a memory that has been recently re-invoked by Wayne Rooney's winning strike in Saturday's Manchester Derby.

That definitely was the case for the patrons at the Dog and Bone Pub where he watched the match, who told him as much after the goal.

But which goal is better?

Sundram refused to be drawn into picking a winner in this epic overhead kick face-off, but did suggest to The New Paper that his goal was more difficult to execute.

Said the 45-year-old: 'They are both good goals, but it's not for me to say which is better.

'Rooney's was a great goal, scored at a completely different level.

'In front of a full crowd, in a tied Derby match, with all the pressure he's been under, he changed the game in a split second.

Different

'Compared to mine they are different deliveries - his was executed from the side which, technique wise, is easier than when your back is facing goal (like against Brunei).

'When your back's to goal you can't really direct the ball, you just have to get it on target and hope it's powerful enough to beat the goalkeeper.'

Sundram's observations on the differences in technical difficulty of the two goals is further enforced by the fact that unlike the Manchester United man who seemed to connect with the ball with his shin, the Dazzler's hit the ball clean and true with his instep.

The Dazzler added that unlike Rooney who seemed, by his arms outstretched ta-dah celebration, to understand the magnitude of what he had just accomplished, the 45-year-old didn't know how good his goal was until he saw it on television later.

'When you do an overhead kick like mine you can't see the flight of the ball at all, I only knew it was a goal when I saw Malek (Awab) celebrating.

'You can't tell from the crowd's reaction because their shouts could mean it was just a good shot.

'So I celebrated it like a normal goal, it didn't occur to me how good it was until I saw it being replayed on TV numerous times afterwards.

'Rooney was sideways when he shot, and that's why he knew how good his goal was - you can see it in his celebration.'

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Uni grads shun rat race to chase dreams - ST(7 Feb 2011)

ONE has an economics degree and is working at the Ministry of Law. The other is an aerospace engineering graduate with no lack of options in the aircraft industry.

But, as far as NUS graduate Sudhershen Hariram and NTU alumnus Benedict Low are concerned, the future can wait.

Later this month, the pair will chase their S-League dream with Tanjong Pagar United, leaving behind potentially lucrative careers in their fields of study.

Their decision - derided at first by both family and friends - is a considered one. Football may not pay as much as their potential careers, but for them, passion is a priceless commodity.

'I've spent most of life doing what's expected of me, studying in a junior college, serving my national service and going to university,' said Low, who graduated from the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) last year. 'It's about time I did something I want to do, and that is to play football professionally.'

Low, a tough-tackling centre-back who models himself after Japanese World Cup midfielder Yasuhito Endo, and Sudhershen, a flying winger with both pace and stamina, were playing for their respective university sides when they were spotted by Jaguars coach Terry Pathmanathan.

In Sudhershen's case, he will make time for football while undergoing his internship at the Ministry of Law. He has applied to study law at the National University of Singapore later this year, and will be stretched for time as he juggles work, study and sport.

But the 24-year-old is inspired by the example of his friend Fabian Tan, the Gombak United defender who also grappled with university studies while playing professional football.

'He said it's tough, but worthwhile,' said Sudershen. 'This is an opportunity for me to realise my dream and I get paid while doing it. I have to give it a shot.'

The S-League is a road less travelled for better-educated Singaporeans. Since the league's inception, only a handful of players - like Home United goalkeeper Lionel Lewis and Tan - can boast university credentials.

In committing his future to sports, Low - the eldest of three children - had to overcome resistance from his father. Said the 25-year-old: 'His initial reaction was that it wasn't the best move for me. But he said it's my life and I had to decide what to do with it.'

Neither player would reveal their salary package with Tanjong Pagar, but the two S-League newbies are keen to put football ahead of monetary rewards. Said Low: 'You won't be rich, but you won't go hungry, and I'm okay with that.'

Both Sudhershen and Low are untested qualities in the league, but they have fitness and desire on their side. According to Pathmanathan, the duo passed their mandatory Beep Test at the first try, with Low securing the best score in the squad.

'Both of them work very hard and they mingle very well with all the other boys,' said the former national captain.

'I'm very impressed with their work attitude. Technically they can improve over time, but the important thing is that they are willing to work for the team.'
-article taken off ST 7 Feb 2011

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Round up notes - Jan 2011(Asians, Milan, SLeague)

1. What a signing, absolutely stunned that Inter swapped for Yuta Nagatomo (長友佑都),from Cesena in exchange of Davide Santon, who was given exposure by Senor Jose in his spell there but he has since faltered a bit.

Still a step up for Inter to swap for the stocky Japanese defender. excellent signing.

2. Similarly, Wolfsburg got SK's Koo Ja Cheol (具子哲) for something like under 2mil pounds? Based on his perfomances in the Asian Cup, McClaren could have gotten a steal.

3. Gracias Mr Galliani. brilliant work by the Milan VP to bring in 4 decent players at a very low combined fee. Van Bommel to ease the injury problems, 'Peter Pan' Cassano, versatile Urby Emanuelson and a promising Didac Villa. hopefully we can kick Spurs out of the UCL first b4 crashing out so that we can focus on the Scudetto! Forza Milan!

4. Our Sleague is kicking off soon. Scratching my head in recent days how Woodlands Wellington managed to bring in foreigners with decent/good CVs considering their supposely lower budget. Nonetheless may 2011 season turn out well.