Pre-Year-End Update

With only a few days left in November and the whole of December remaining for 2008, here's a summary of the tournaments that kept my sports life busy.



Cheers to an active 2008!

Being a manager

Tough job, if you ask me...

Yup football managers really have a difficult task of rounding up the players, fix their conflicting schedules, decide on the uniform and of course the transportation.

Tomorrow IRRI FC will be testing the mettle of Manila-based players in a mixed futsal event: MIXED FUTSALA, sponsored by Mizuno, for the benefit of the RP Ladies' Futsal team.

After may be a couple of months of recruiting and planning, I gathered around 15 willing and abled bodies to make up the team. I attended the caoches'/managers' meeting, decided what to wear, listed what items to bring and manage the financials, then it happened. One by one, the so-called committed players that confirmed, asked to be dropped from the rolls. While most had valid reasons, I'm totally disgusted with this one. He was even the most talkative of the lot (he would express one sentence in around 100 words. I have one word for that: BULL). Three days before D-day, he said he was sick, blah blah. Finally today he said wasn't joining. I was actually relieved he's not coming. This will be the last time I'll ask him to join something.

Actually, these were the only glitches. Most of the regulars will still be joining. Our most compassionate player will be coming late. Our most prolific scorer will be keeper, and I'm still hoping 2 former class A lady players will be joining us.

Photos will be courtesy of SheilaQ and JackJ. But won't be posted until monday. (wink)

IRRI FC joins in 1st Mizuno Corporate Futsal Cup

The IRRI Football Club (IRRI FC) participated last Sunday, September 16, 2007 in the 1st Mizuno Corporate Cup held at the prestigious Dasmariñas Village in Makati City.

IRRI FC played in bracket A along with Globe FC, Citigroup FC, HSBC-2 and powerhouse Union FC/Real Soluziona. SR Metal, Inc., HSBC-1, Accenture FC, Satoshi FC and Ogilvy FC comprised bracket B.

IRRI FC is composed of goal keeper Tanguy Lafarge (CESD), Gay Carrillo, Darlene Sanchez, Rhulyx Mendoza, Kofi Bimpong (PBGB) Jonathan Mendoza (CRIL) and Icoy Mercado (PBGB). The team was reinforced with the addition of Jyron Mendoza (brother of Rhulyx), Jojo Telosa (brother of Anthony Telosa, GRC) and former GRC staff Monique Barile. Sheila Quilloy (GRC), Ems Deomano (CRIL) and Dr. Lafarge’s family also joined to watch and cheer.

In their first game, IRRI FC scored the first goal but Globe FC quickly scored level after the kick-off. The two teams were still tied 2-2 during the final 12.7 seconds but a wayward ball from Globe FC found its way to goal for a 2-3 IRRI FC loss.

Excellent defense by Tanguy and Icoy paired with goals by Monique, Kofi, Jojo, and brothers Rhulyx and Jyron lifted IRRI FC to two consecutive wins against Citigroup (4-2) and HSBC-2 (5-0).



In the last game, IRRI FC faced Union FC/Real Soluziona reinforced with former national team players. After allowing one goal, IRRI FC leveled the match 1-1. However, fatigue caught up with the rice researchers and went to lose the game 5-1.

IRRI FC, with 2 wins and 2 loses, finished 3rd. Globe FC (4-0) and Union FC/Real Soluziona (3-1) advanced to the semifinals.

Photos can be viewed here.