Dear Comrade Footballistos,

Well, the following sentences are going to sound like a bunch of puns but here I go...  Finally, I can sum up the 2007-08 season while opening up the 2008-09 season.  Finally!  Why?  Because the Mighty Lions have finally played the final match of last season against the almighty Wanderers which ended in a 7-2 victory for the Double U's (W's).  The match counted double as the opener of this season and as the end of last season.  So that is 3 points for the Double U's to end the 07-08 season table and 3 points to start the 08-09 season.  And I am happy to finally announce that the Wanderers are the JIFL Champions for the fifth time in 6 years.  As well, they won the sixth JIFL FA Cup in a row against JIS last May 2-0 or 2-1 or something like that.  I can't remember anymore.  Now we can get on with the details of the new season:  

Firstly, the first Big Kick of the new season began 15:30 PM Saturday afternoon at Stadium Sentul where the One Tree Grasshoppers took the early lead in the championship table by defeating Team Japan in closely contested 3-2 final score.  Followed by the 16:00 PM kickoff with the BuGils Boys taking on Team Arrario Korea at Stadium Olah Raga in Blok M for the second opening of the season whereby BuGils defeated Team Korea 2-1 to even out the league lead.  19:00 PM that evening, the Wanderers as mentioned stormed back top the table with the 7-2 victory over those Lions who incidentally have revived their club with a host of new signings and not less than 4 former professionals in the ranks. They look good.  And I am sure that they are going to be a force to be reckoned with once they get used to playing together, add a bit of fitness, and start to gel that chemistry together as the seasonprogresses.  Finally, Team JIS played Team Arrario Korea Wednesday night with the final score evening out at 5-3 for JIS which leaves the league table as seen below. JIS Captain, Jurrien Sietsma, commented that a great improvement is apparent in the Korean side with Korea's Huh, Ji Sub looking one of the best forwards in the league this year.

I wish all of you great skill and the loads of luck this season.  Let's keep it sporting and memorable.  Football should always bring joy to our lives.  Please remember that.  Also, keep in mind that I am trying to keep the JIFL schedule to be played always on Wednesdays and Saturdays so that we never have confusion again.  This way everybody, including the referees, will always know that a match(s) is being played always on those days.  It will help the players plan their lives around those days as well.  So without further ado... Welcome to the 20th season of the JIFL!

All the Best,
Your Hero  

I went to play a pick-up at Country Woods Estates with the Magnicificent Vikings a few weeks ago on a Saturday and lo & behold, Coach Hendarto introduces me to my own personal coaching hero, the great Weil Coerver of Holland.  A man who revolutionized and modernized the way we coach children worldwide and helped formulate (along with Bernie Schumm) my own coaching philosophy.  Thank you Vikings.

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Letter from the chair

Ay up,
It's with great humility that I accept the responsibility of Chairman of the JIFL 2008/09. I would like to begin by thanking Peter (Howie) for doing such a tremendous job these last few years.  Howie will remain on the disciplinary committee with Jesper and I and hopefully we have another quiet year!

I would like to also thank Ray (Goggles) for stepping into the shoes of assistant to Chairman and JIFL Secretary. And before we go any further, Cheers Dale for your dynamic enthusiasm which is very much appreciated.

The major pledge I give you for the first part of the season is to visit each team at least once before the Christmas break. Please feel free to comment on any aspect of how the league is run, whether positive or negative.  (report below of the first week)

I have also pledged to Nico to help him get results on the day of the match from both captains (a simple sms will do), though full match reports are welcome and can be submitted at a later date.
 

Now onto 2 very contrasting opening games of the season. First up was Bugils Vs Korea, which was played with the usual passion and gusto expected from JIFL teams. It was nice to see the teams start with a sportsmanlike handshake before kick off. Congratulations  to Bugils  for their 2-1  victory, and especially to

Patrick who I believe opened the scoring for the league this season. The second game was a hugely entertaining thriller between arch rivals Lions and Wanderers. Although the 7-2 result may seem conclusive, I'm sure most of the 3,000 spectators (Captain's license) thought otherwise, with only fitness being the difference between the sides. On a side note, the floodlights failed 9 minutes.

Finally, although not a JIFL event, it was great to put on the kit and enjoy the annual 6-a-side at Sentul. Congratulations to the organizers of this great day out.

PS: please look forward to my weekly e-mail offers of Roast Beef and Yorkshire pudding, though I won't be able to supply bread and yoghurt.
Keep Smiling,
Philip