Shooters Legends – Escape To Victory Tour – Manila 2009
One vision, one focus, one destiny; Win.
Looking for the record equaling fourth Manila 6’s win, Sir Jof realized he needed to do something special, it wasn’t a time for convention, it was time for reinvention.
It was time to reach out around Asia for the forgotten players of yesteryear. Heroes of years gone past, names now spoken of only in passing, faces all but blurred images fading over time.
Slowly contact was reestablished. Returning from the wilderness, after 4 years of obscurity, amidst rumors of lost form, the great days long past. Larryoke decided to return, to return for one final stand. It was for all the doubters, those whisperers in the shadows, the critics, the unknowing. Written off, like Ali in Zaire, Jordan coming back for 6, Rocky vs Clubber Lang. 2 years had past in solitude; refining, relearning. New fitness, new body and a new foot. Now was the time, the last time, the final showdown.
The others came. One by one, stepping from the shadows. Sutton, lean mean ginger machine, Bandanas gone, but the swagger remained. Claus, the old master, lost in the metropolis of Guangzhou, but found alive and domesticated. Walliniho, Grantanator, The Mig, Zippy, all considered past their prime. But nearly 1000 Shooters caps and approx 20 Manila winners medals between them, they brought a level of experience probably never seen on a Manila pitch before. This was one of the oldest Shooters teams ever to play in Manila in recent years, and older than any of the teams that had won before. The aging players, not having played together for years, would have a lot to do in a tournament which is the most competitive and most revered 6's tournament in Asia, and with the highest quality of teams, with younger players than ever before.
Yet, this was cleverly balanced with the invitation to some of the newer Shooters currently leading a new generation into the Shooters history books. Banksy, Chiba, Junior, Tony and French Nick. Youth, fitness and skill. The stage was set, but who could have foretold how it would play out. Who could have dreamed the drama and believed it could ever come true.
Day one.
The day did not start well, with the failure of the bus to turn up. Quick taxi arrangements made, and the journey began. An overcast day, suntan lotion optional, butterflies in the stomach unavoidable. Always slow starters on a Saturday, Shooters had to start fast to lay down the intentions for the weekend. Hangovers were being carried by everyone, some much worse than others. Tony and French Nick having forgotten much of the night before, although scars and bruising would tell a story was out there somewhere, if only some one could remember it.
Game 1;
Shooters 5 vs Dutch Boys 0 - Mikel 2, Granty, Tony, Chiba Sr.
Dream start, simple football, in bumpy conditions. This should have been a concern, because it is usually the first game where the shooters struggle.
Game 2;
Shooters 3 vs Do It Utd 3 - Sutty 2, Banksy.
This is where it started to go wrong. Slow start, lazy, and arrogant football. Behind all through the game 1-0 then 2-1 down, then 3-2 down with seconds to spare – before a last gasp goal saved a point. A warning shot had been made across our bow. A lot of teams where able to cause upsets this year, and they did. A lot of teams where capable of winning, but only one could.
Game 3;
Shooters 1 vs 1 HKG Squadron - Mikel.
Shooters had to win and score 3 goals for the extra point to ensure finishing top of the group and getting the later kick off, and more importantly the easier draw. It was one way traffic for 27 mins 57 seconds and Shooters lead 1-0. Squadron the Shooters twin team from HKG, sat deep and closed up the shop. Amidst the shots rebounding off the goalkeeper, great saves, and wild misses, Shooters couldn’t penetrate the defense. Then in the final moments, the ball just needing to go out of play, they pounced on a through ball and in a one on one smashed a volley into the roof of the newly enlarged goal. The result didn’t effect the Shooters advancement, but not gaining the win or the extra point, meant the Shooters would go through second for the first time in 11 years. As it was quietly pointed out by Sir Jof. It also meant the Shooters went into the hardest side of the draw. Something special had to happen to bring the magic back. The Shooters were looking their age, they weren’t gelling. The dream was fast becoming forgotten, the cup was moving beyond their reach.
Saturday night was a subdued affair. A time for reflection and soul searching. Sir Jof decided to stay away. Greatly effected by the days events and finishing second for the first time in 11 years, all of which was exasperated by the worst bus since the Mongolian tour, and a cheating gypo driver trying to get petrol money, who didn’t think it logical to get the petrol during the 5 hours he had been sitting waiting for us, but rather wait till we are all on board then go get gas.
Early nights all round, early obviously had different meaning to some, but 2 hours sleep for some is better than none.
Day 2
It didn’t bode well, despite a new bus. The sun was out and not a cloud in the sky. The aging team, and sleepless youth would have to consider an 11am kick off a challenge purely for the new level of heat. Limited suntan lotion available, the scene was tense, the focus was back, and the Shooters knew it was time to get it sorted. Day 2 was the knock out day, and this story could not end before midday.
Game 1 – Last 16. Shooters 2 vs 0 Nomads - Mikel, Junior.
The defending champions, youthful, fit and with a full bench. Home field advantage. Boom! Right out of the blocks the Shooters played perhaps the best football ever played at Manila by a Shooters team. With a new line up with Banksy and Wally switching. French Nick and Claus switching, Sutty, Chiba, Junior, Mig and Tony in midfield, and with Granty and Zippy up front, the Shooters had a much more solid feel. Larryoke’s precision kicking to the front man, and the superb touches by Grant and Zippy to bring the ball down gave the Shooters the penetration in attack which was missing in day one. Nomads had the first good chance with a free kick on the edge of the box – but Larryoke was equal to the blast, using his experience, and unique visionary tactics to advance to be a third man in the wall, avoiding any deflections from players in front of him. A superb reflex tip over proof of his mastery. Second half, a superb goal line interception by Wally taking the ball out of the path of a Nomad player who was clear to score. Pressure from the Shooters and Mikel strikes a wonderful goal from a narrow angle. Then, a quick long ball by Oke to Granty, layoff to Sutty, 85 steps overs, layoff to Junior, goal. Simplicity, cunning, the start of something special. Nomads pressured, and only a full length diving tip over from Oke saved the clean sheet. Full control, a show of class, a lesson in 6’s had been given. The Champions were out, much to their dismay, followed by a great shouting match between Sir Jof and his nemesis coaching the Nomads. But more importantly a new belief was back in the Shooters camp.It was on.
Game 2 – Quarter Finals. Shooters 5 vs 0 Boracay Rangers - Roland, Chiba Sr., Sutty, and Granty 2.
Boracay proved a tough challenge the year before, with Shooters scrapping a 1-0 win.
A physical and fit side, Sir Jof and Captain Fantasimo Oke watched them earlier and saw the playing style and players to watch. This played into our hands, as Shooters tore Boracay apart with such silkiness and simplicity. Larryoke actually forgot about this game in his version 1 of this write up, having to touch the ball only a handful of times and make one save. Boracay took it upon themselves to complain to the ref continuously and to make a big noise after the game about one of the goals, forgetting that they had conceded the other 4. Crushed is the word that comes to mind. The Shooters machine was picking up speed and was going to be one hell of a beast to tame.
Game 2 – Semi Finals. Shooters 3 vs 2 Kaya (after extra time golden goal).- Chiba Sr. 2 and Roland.
This game was dubbed the final by the growing spectators in attendance. Kaya were fielding 2 Philippine internationals and had cruised through to the semis. The whole team was mid 20’s compared to the mid 30’s of the Shooters. They had a full fit bench. Shooters were starting to carry injuries. Mig was out, Granty was out. The heat was beating down, suntan lotion was in low supply. Carb and fruit combinations were being discussed for best energy replacement. This was going to be the toughest test yet. The game started horribly. Keeping the same team talk location, and positions, Sir Jof made it clear – we have to start strong and start quick. No switching off or we will get punished. Within 1 minute, a mix up, a counter attack and the Captain of the Philippine team slid in a one on one.
It was not looking good. The Shooters had to break them down. The long ball kicking was a master stroke, Zippy playing the lone role was taking every ball down like a bowling ball. It just dropped at his foot. And against the weaker marker which we had identified, the Shooters where soon level through one of the goals of the day. A ball played in to Zippy, who sold a dummy of near perfection. The shout by Granty from the side line summed it up..’Ohhh, hes done him..’ One on one – side foot past the keeper from a tight angle, and 1-1. Under intense pressure from the Shooters, playing superbly as a unit, Shooters got a free kick. With clinical precision, Chiba confounded all by top cornering it to give the Shooters a 2-1 lead. The crowd where in awe. All eyes where on the match. With seconds remaining, Shooters were in control, but a single switch off and a man left unmarked resulted in a bullet shot that nearly lifted the roof off the goal. The Kaya bench went mental with a pitch invasion in celebration. Somehow they had got back in with seconds to spare. 2 Shooter mistakes in the first and last minute – 2 goals conceded. It would have knocked the stuffing out of any other team. But people don’t realize, it aint over till the Shooters say it is.
Golden goal – 3 vs 3. Claus took on the sacred gloves from Larryoke and donned the lucky keeper shirt. Sutty and Chiba on for skill and pace. Shooters had to win the ball, and play to the plan. And the plan was simple. Win the ball, pass back to Claus. Claus walk up the field and either draw a defender and pass to open player for shot on goal or take the shot himself. Both Sutty and Chiba keep wide. Shooters win the ball, and then pass directly to Kaya. Not good. Only a superb save from Claus prevents a goal. Shooters win the ball back again, and Chiba and Sutty start making in field runs for no reason. After screams form the side lines order is restored. Claus starts the move. Walking slowly up. Drawing the Kaya player. Then, unbelievably, he gives the ball away to one of the quickest players on the pitch. One on one. It was surely game over Shooters. Then, with a burst of pace unseen since he was 16, Claus somehow managed to get himself back between the player and the ball. Everyone was screaming to kick it out to regroup. But you don’t doubt the experience of the Clausmeister, with composure of a champion, not only did Claus get the ball under control, he managed to turn and lay of a pass direct to Sutty. Claus had taken out the extra man – and it was 2 on 2. The tide had turned so quickly, the spectators on the sidelines drew in breath in awe of the switch. Sutty moved in on goal, with 253 step overs, and 453 touches, he managed to lay the ball off to Chiba in front of goals who smashed it in the net. Game over. The favourites where out. Kaya were on their knees, Larryoke was airbourne flying to wards Claus. It was unbelievable, a moment to be played over and over. Emotions went from despair to elation in one turn and two passes. Surely all the hard work had been done. Surely one hand was on the trophy now. The Shooters had beaten the best, surely we could take the rest.
Game 3 – The Final. Shooters 3 vs French Dragons 2 (AET golden goal) - Chiba Sr. 2 and Claus.
The sun was setting, the crowd was gathered. Destiny was 30 mins away surely. The Dragons where young and fit – but down to 7 players. The Shooters still had 9 players – but the long day and drama was starting to tell. Larryoke lost the 5th out of 6 tosses, so Shooters to kick off. The team talk was about keeping the ball, steady focused ship, and in the second half raise the tempo. Control the game, keep switched on. One minute in, a defensive switch off, and a deflected shot crept into the corner of the goal. The worst possible start. Could the Shooters suck up the energy to fight back. The crowd were sensing an upset – the French Dragons where reenergized, they saw a chance they didn’t expect. The Shooters battled and drew back level with a great team passing move which resulted in a great volley from Chiba.
Half time – the word came in from Sir Jof – step it up and take them out. It was tiring, legs were working overtime, air was thick, difficult to breath. Then another loose ball on the egde of the Shooters area and another unstoppable volley in to the side of the goal. Shooters 2-1 down and with minutes to spare. It was looking over. The French were defending deep and countering well. But you don’t write off the Shooters, to wirely, too experienced, too dedicated to reach their destiny. Another deft kick from Oke, Shooters on the attack, and a crunching tackle on the edge opened up the last shooting chance for Shooters. The wall was lined up, and Sutty stepped behind the ball. Sir Jof shouts for Chiba to take it. Chiba steps behind the ball. What happened next is like trying to describe an out of body experience. The shot from Chiba moved with such speed and power, it weaved its way from his foot to the roof of the net without anyone even seeing it. The crowd of thousands together all gasped at the once in a life time event they just witnessed. Shooters had clawed it back, when it had all seemed lost. The final whistle came, and the pendulum had swung once again.
It was 3 vs 3 golden goal again. Claus, Sutty and Chiba took the field again. The last reserves of energy were fast depleting. Sutty was running on empty, probably due to the can of Sprite an hour earlier. The ball was dropped and Shooters gain possession via Suttys slippery skill. Lay off to Claus – and revert to plan. This was easier said than done, running on empty confuses the brain, Sutty and Chiba kept making unnecessary runs. Shooters had a chance, it went wide. French on counter, they miss by inches. Claus carries the ball up again, it goes out for a corner. Claus goes into receive, Sutty runs over as well. Closing the play, ‘Get out came the bench calls’, he went wide, opened it up, quick passing and Claus was through. He shoots, it deceives the goal keeper and goes in. Its over. The pitch is invaded. Larryoke goes airborne. The Shooters were the 4 time Champions. And they did it the hard way, with guts and glory. It didn’t end there, for the first time in history, the Shooters won the Championship, the best player for Claus and best goalkeeper for Larryoke.
Unprecedented, but it just showed that sometimes you do Escape to Victory.
