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Hong Kong Reds 2 v 7 USRC
In the world of football, especially in the current age of players selling their souls to whichever team pays the most, it is rare that any player gets invited to play in a fellow player’s testimonial. Of course usually, said testimonial is arranged for a player who has graced his club with lengthy servitude and commitment. In this case the player in question was Mike Wrigley, and the “testimonial” had been arranged by himself, in a desperate plea for attention before he leaves Hong Kong for Singapore. Of course with his long term affiliation with the Hong Kong Reds - having turned up to watch at least 10 games in his whole time in Hong Kong and having once held a prestigious position on the committee (although one would have to dig deep into the records to find any sign of his work) - the Reds were keen to honour one of their own. Of course in an attempt to make it a fun event, the chosen opponents for the Reds were to be the USRC Socials, plus miscellaneous friends. As it turned out, the majority of the USRC team had played for the other USRC team, the one that had just recently won the Yau Yee League. On top of that, the Hong Kong Reds star right back was traded away to the USRC team in exchange for 2 players, as USRC were in need of a keeper. Why the right back you ask? It is a little known fact that this particular right back had at one time been selected to play in an International All Star Select team, with Wriggles. Thus Wriggles found himself surrounded by talent against a rag-tag Hong Kong Reds team, which also found itself manager-less with Dave “Benitez” Oh unable to attend. Kings Park had planned for this event very well. They were aware that such an event could be a big seller, and had thus installed temporary stands by the bar and behind the goal. In all Wrigley’s time in Hong Kong, Kings Park has never had the potential to look so full. Perhaps it was a misunderstanding, perhaps it was the traffic, or maybe last minute emergencies, but in the end the crowd didn’t reach full potential and it was disappointing to see a star of this calibre play his testimonial with empty stands.
The game started well, with the Hong Kong Reds holding their own against an accomplished side which played flowing football with effortless ease. Against overwhelming odds, Hong Kong Reds were able to string together some great chances. One such chance fell to Ian “I’m not playing well because I’m still winded from Saturday” Agass, who chose to aim his unchallenged header straight at the keeper, hoping to catch him asleep. The keeper was asleep but nonetheless his international experience saw him recover before anything could be made of the opportunity. Some minutes later, a dangerous Hong Kong Reds break was halted by the USRC team - by virtue of a foul - in perfect territory for a free kick specialist. Unfortunately all the Reds had was Ian Agass. Would he put it top left over the wall? Or perhaps, finding the keeper asleep again, go top right? The crowd paused with bated breath as Ian strode up to the ball and it watched in awe as he struck it…worse than a girl and passed it to the wall. For god’s sake sub him… The second half proved to be better for most of the Reds. Wriggles, having been unable to shine in a team of stars, chose to play the second half for the other team, so that he could have a chance to blast his volleys wide for both teams. With Wriggles and Rich causing mayhem up front and with the Hong Kong Reds starting to gel together, they were able to produce some fine football. Unfortunately, USRC were also playing mind tricks on poor Duncan. Having been solid in the first half, his confidence was shaken when USRC took off the man he was marking and brought on a girl. Nothing destroys you as a defender more than when the opposition replaces the man you were marking with a girl as if to say, “He’s pants - let’s give the girl a go.” Rumour has it that they were planning on bringing on a 5 year old against Ian McAlan, but the potentially-tormenting toddler had playschool in the morning. Early in the second half, some Hong Kong Reds “pressure” led to their first goal. The newly-subbed-in fullbacks for USRC combined well to gift the ball to Danny, who calmly slotted the ball past the keeper. The Reds kept up this pressure, but didn’t look like scoring. However, unbeknownst to them, the referee had been paid off by Wriggles not to end the game until he had scored. And with 2 hours having been played in the second half and with legs tiring, the referee gave a dodgy penalty decision. Up stepped Wriggles, and with the crowd telling the keeper that he always goes to the right, it became clear that the keeper had a chance to end the game by diving in the wrong direction. And so there it was: Wriggles ended his Hong Kong Reds career with a calmly and successfully taken penalty. So with the Reds having scored two, it was all looking good. Had it not been for those pesky 5 goals they conceded in the first half and a further 2 in the second half, it could all have been so different. Special mention must go to Jason Li. With the Hong Kong Reds 4-0 down in the first half, he was constantly heard to be shouting, “Just hold them lads! They haven’t got anything! Just hold them!” followed by another goal. Sometimes the true professional is that one guy who can bring his team into the right state of mind by ignoring the score-line. Unfortunately all Jason seemed to be achieving was winding up the opposition into playing even better football. Well done that man. The game was followed by drinks and food at the USRC. With Wriggles footing the bill, some guys are believed to be still there drinking on his tab. The lukewarm food would have been warmer had it not been for the 2 hour second half and one can’t help but think that had Wriggles not blasted all those chances wide, we may well have had hot food. Having said that, the cold chips were missing only some badly cut bread and sauce and it would have been just like being back home. Man of the match was a close one between: Danny - for playing superbly throughout; Jason - for uplifting the opposition to their 5 goal tally; Ian Agass - for not whining as much as he usually does at the ref; and the referee - for giving the penalty and finally ending the game. In the end it went to Danny for his tireless work. The Everton Wally Wallet Award goes to Wriggles who, having paid the ref to get him a goal, squandered every chance he got. Plus he never got full “credit” for his quality rant on tour. This report was sponsored by Planters Nuts. |
| Previous match reports HK Reds v Spartans Vets HK Supporters’ 6s 2009 HK Reds v USRC HK Reds KL Tour 2007 HK Reds v Savills (II) HK Reds v AIG (II) HK Reds v AIG (I) HK Reds v Savills (I) Dynasty v HK Reds (II) Dynasty v HK Reds (I) Manarise v HK Reds Sandy Bay Strollers v HK Reds Pepsi Shooters vs HK Reds Want to play for the Hong Kong Reds football team? 11-a-side-team please email: dave@hongkongreds.com Hong Kong Reds Magazine    Click magazines for large view |
