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.'

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

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.

Door reopened, time to treasure it Stags' No. 19

Jan 9, 2011 Sunday Times
Going straight
Aliff has vowed to stay away from alcohol, be early for training and get home by midnight
By Chan U-Gene

Aliff Shafaein, who was released from jail on Tuesday, is happy that his former club Tampines Rovers have agreed to take him back if he passes the Beep Test. -- ST PHOTO RAJ NADARAJAN

No more alcohol. A midnight curfew. Show up for training half an hour early. And no more negative headlines.

S-League player Aliff Shafaein has vowed to turn over a new leaf after spending two weeks in jail for drink-driving offences.

'It was the lowest point of my life,' a solemn-looking Aliff told The Sunday Times.

The 28-year-old midfielder, who was released from jail on Tuesday - a week early for good behaviour - made all the wrong headlines when he was sentenced for a series of traffic offences, which culminated in a crash on the morning of the Singapore Cup final, last month.

The former Tampines Rovers vice-captain was unlicensed and uninsured.
He kept his club in the dark, and played in the match which saw Tampines beaten 0-1 by Thai club Bangkok Glass.

He also came under intense criticism from the public after his lawyer Mohamed Muzammil Mohamed said that the footballer hoped his 'ardent fans' would help him settle his fine of $10,500 to avoid another 48 days in jail.
But Aliff denied making such a comment.

'I was upset when I read the news reports. The people who know me well, they know that I would not ask for such a thing. This is my problem and I have to deal with it,' he said before a training session with Tampines, where he has played for the last seven years.
'Now I just want to put an end to the whole thing, get back to my simple life and concentrate on my football.'

Prison was a shock to his system.

He had to share his cell with six others, whom he believed were armed robbers and rioters.
'I thought that I would be placed with people with similar offences. Thankfully, we got along okay. Sometimes I gave them my food when I couldn't finish it.'

He thought he could cope with the situation and avoid paying the fine. But it did not take him long to change his mind.
Aliff asked his father to withdraw his (the player's) savings. But relatives also had to pinch in with another $5,500.
He intends to return the loan through monthly instalments of $1,000.
'I want to keep just enough money for myself to pay for bus and food allowances. I also want to go home as often as I can for meals to cut back on my expenses.'
Aliff, who lives with his parents and younger sister at a flat in Yishun, used to earn between $3,000 and $4,000 a month.

Tampines' chairman Teo Hock Seng has given him a second chance by offering him a new contract if he is able to clear the mandatory Beep Test, a fitness test which all S-League players are required to pass.
Aliff is pencilled in for his first attempt tomorrow.

He said: 'I am very grateful to have been given another chance. I am disappointed with myself for bringing disrepute to my family, friends, club and management.
'My mother now calls me after every training session. I have to assure her not to worry and that I can take care of myself.'

Said Tampines' chief striker Aleksandar Duric: 'I'm sure he is now a changed man. It is good that the club take him back. Personally, I am happy because we had a good partnership last season.'

Added former team manager Syed Faruk, who stepped down before the start of the coming season to expand his business: 'Aliff is not a bad person. He has a few bad habits, but is a mild-mannered boy who respects his elders and gets along very well with all the players.'
ugenec@sph.com.sg

Self-sufficient
'I knew I had to pay the fines on my own. This is my problem and I have to deal with it. The people who know me well, they still support me and they know that I would not ask for such a thing.'
Aliff Shafaein, refuting reports he asked his fans to pay his fines for him

Good at heart
'Aliff is not a bad person. He has a few bad habits, but is a mild-mannered boy who respects his elders.'
SYED FARUK, former Tampines team manager

Warm welcome

'I'm sure he is now a changed man. It is good that the club take him back. Personally, I am happy because we had a good partnership.'
ALEKSANDER DURIC, Tampines striker

---article off Sunday Times 9 Jan 2011-----

Afterthoughts:

A piece of pleasant news finally about local football after a calamitous week.

So did he or didnt he? Was something lost in translation? Anyway, I suppose its time to move on and hope the man can relight his career and win fans back with his football..

Previous blog entry: http://dreamteamsteam.blogspot.com/2010/11/if-you-get-another-chance-dun-waste-it.html

As stated, whoever can get Aliff's attention on my previous entry, please do so. I will be satisfied if my rummage through my old magazines to find his teenage years can help motivate "The naughty-Little Master" and inspire him to turn for the good.

~El Fenómeno, 9 Jan 2011~ signing off

Dream 2014 @ New Kallang

Simple.

That I will be a part of a full capacity regularly doing a BOISTEROUS Rendition of Majulah Singapura sang with true passion when a TRUE RED-BLOODED Team Lions play each football game at the new Kallang in time to come.

Actually I won't mind a decent crowd, as long at magical atmosphere that is created by a singing crowd is there.

THE POWER OF NATIONAL ANTHEM

It might be the musical instruments involved.

But singing a country's national anthem together with a passionate crowd in a large capacity ground simply gives me goosebumps.

Nothing beats it i think, not even singing the Barcelona himne or Inno Milan at Camp Nou or San Siro. Even if it was against Real or Inter. Nothing.

Lets hope really, one day, we can do a better performance then how our neighbours do their Negaraku and Indonesia Raya.

In fact, the tunes of their national anthems are already well drilled in my mind, except for the lyrics. Even the French and Italian tunes are pretty nice.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfyQT0BhJ1s (Bukit Jalil, 2010)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0PVvpZcWmI ( Bung Karno, 2007)

Untuk Bangsa dan Negara!

I am not a traitor December. Majulah Singapura!

1) Well done Malaysia, we see the determination of the Tigers and the organisation and discipline instilled by K.Rajagopal. Too bad I didnt back them as I did in last year's SEA Games after I thought the missing players would affect them. Even in group stages, I felt Norhsharul and Safee are already the deadliest duo in SEA. They proved it further in knock out phases and can walk straight into the SEA Best XI. By the way, i somehow have a soft spot of national anthems and Negaraku is one of them.

2) Somehow I am not angry with Leonardo's appointment at Inter. Actually I think Moratti has made a smart move. He was instrumental in extending Milan's attacking play last season. Think he will fine tune Inter into a better offensive unit. Defensively they are no slouch just that The Wall's injury has caused a hole currently plugged by Cordoba whos decent. But hopefully Leo will still show respect to Allegri's team. Forza Milan!

3) 2010 S.league XI

Fadhil Salim (consider his defence is not of the top teams standard)

V. Hiek
Kenji Arai (stabilised team’s defence with his leadership in midseason)
Paul Cunningham

C. Bagnost (toss up between Bagnost or Yann, but Cyril seemed to cover more ground for me)
K. Boudjema
Imran Sahib (looks like for than one named him in their squad, so how Raddy?)
Chun Jae Woon
(A former Korean youth international, this mid-season signing showed his class in Home’s resurgence. A simple effective ball player with no fancy frills, Chun brought memories of former midfield maestros Vlado Bozinoski and Zsolt Bucs back to the league. A set-piece specialist adept with either foot, one of his classic attempts proved a decisive assist in Home’s 1-0 win against Etoile in September. The fact that some teams had to man-mark him in midfield speaks volumes of his influence)

Shahril Ishak

Mamadou Diallo(nifty footwork to kill any defence, but finishing still raw, to be improved)
F. Mendy

Hope all players raise their game for 2011! Oh it gotta be better, for everybodys' sake, especially Zai's head!