To my fellow Lobos,

This year marks the fifth year since Lobos C.F was formed. To be honest, I did not foresee us lasting so long as a team, probably due to a reluctant, self-delusive mindset rather than a lack of foresight. But we are still here, all of us, and if our recent showings are anything to go by, Lobos are still going strong.

Lobos C.F was an ideal; more than anything else, a creation of childhood desire and imagination. From my primary school friends, to the solitary match with the Chinese High kakis, to a slightly more fulfilling time with NJ03S13, I’ve never really had a team I could call my own, a group of passionate youths I could belong to. I thought I had it, when my army mates came together to form the NIE Legends, a team that has perhaps ceased to exist now. Yet, it was another spell of disappointment; it wasn’t a perfect fit, only a temporary farce that soon ran out of steam. An epiphany presented itself, at SP 40 SAR, an idea which was scoffed at, ridiculed, before slowly, disbelievingly, accepted.

How the Lobos came about

The tale always has many twists, but the chronological order runs this way. As most have guessed, friendship wasn’t the fundamental requirement initially; every player had a role to play, a skill-set that would serve the final project.

Leonard Chu. [LEO 25].

The first Lobo was Leonard, and he first heard the project ‘JX XI’, at least, that was the temporary name. Leo, ever reliable, ever dependable, was a steady defender from my NJC days, versatile and cautious almost to a fault. His marauding runs down the flanks provided much of S13’s attacking impetus, and a defensive mindset ensured that few, if any mistakes were made. Good natured and a completely devoted team-player, with simple, no-nonsense passing and finishing, any team would be glad to have him, whether on the field or the first man off the bench to provide stability on either side.

Sim Zhipeng. [ZP SIM 7]

Next was ZP Sim, a.k.a Zhipeng. I first knew him from a match near Cashew Heights, an encounter in which he entirely blew us apart with his dribbling and long range shots. Fleet of foot, comfortable with both especially the left, Zp was an explosive forward that could light up our forward line. Problems with ego issues shadowed his impact initially, as well as a severe lack of EQ, yet at our level, there are few forwards capable of such devastating impact. Leo and I gave him a call that night, and accepted grudgingly after some deliberation. Brilliant footwork and a cutting edge meant that our team had a dangerous look to it.

Tan Yong Hwa ‘Bobby’. [HWA 4]

We didn’t have any such problems with Bobby. Like Zp, his first appearance came at Cashew Heights, another one of Leo’s secondary school classmates. At that time, I felt our team needed a good body in the centre, a player with considerable bulk and ball skills to control the middle of the park. Armed with a cannonball shot that opposing keepers shudder to imagine, ‘Hwa’ as his jersey name states, was a solid building piece for a budding team. With his long legs capable of trapping any loose balls, as well as neat skills to get out of any tight spots, Bob was a player I coveted greatly, a crucial part of any team. He and Zp formed the next two pieces of the Lobo project.

Tay Yuxian. [KS TAY 20]

If Zp was a rapier, Yuxian was the broadsword. To this day, I’ve always felt that he was on another level compared to the rest of us. Intelligent, industrious and powerful, we had first saw him play for NJC, and then occasionally at the street courts of 40 SAR. I remember clearly Leo stating that if we wanted Tay to play for us, we needed to recruit Xianghui and Kanu, both whom went on shortly after to form their team Bunk3WatchYourFront, a team that preceded the Lobos. Yet, at that time, it seemed like a worthwhile exchange. ‘Half-naked guy’, as opposition teams like to call him, Tay made the rest of our passes look good, as he pummeled goal after goal with both power and skill. A huge presence on the forward line, our team looked capable of challenging the best at our level, any level, with ‘KS Tay’ on the prowl.

Ang Wee Theng. [THENGZ 13]

At this time, we had formidable forwards and a few invaluable utility players, but not a defensive specialist to anchor a defence worthy of challenging the best. Wee Theng I met in 40 SAR, and I was impressed by his positioning and heading. ‘Thengz’ has not disappointed, proving to be the ‘Weedic’ of our team on many occasions. Able to contain any aggressive forwards with his anticipation and intelligence, Thengz does have dirty tricks up his sleeve, a trait that makes our forwards breathe a sigh of relief that we aren’t facing him. Occasionally sprinting forward to aid the attack and cause chaos in the opposition, his enthusiasm and energy have made us a better team all around.

Liew Yew Tze. [TZE 5]

Yew Tze’s inclusion was totally unexpected, a bonus that came from a friendly match with Mingwei and Jeff Teo. Another NJcian, Tze mesmerized us on that day with his deft touches and intelligent link-up play. I remember messaging Tay after that match, which Tay replied ‘Great idea!’ Granted, his fever during his first match, our rematch with the NIE Legends, resulted in the recruiting of another crucial piece. However, Tze has proven to be our lynchpin, an integral part of our team set up. All attacks begin with him; as the first line of defence, he snaps at opposition players that venture forward. With his shrill yet commanding mouthpiece, he is the voice on the playing field; linking the play with tireless running, lightning feet and precise passing, Tze packs an accurate shot too, an essential player in any team.

Sum Yuchern. [SUM 3]

We still needed another defensive rock after Leo and Thengz; one can never have too many. It was then when Salas brought along his recommendation during the first official match, a diminutive-looking Sum Yuchern. With his long locks, ‘Angel’ style on his short frame, Sum surprised everyone with his tenacious tackling and impressive pace. As a running full-back, Sum adds another dimension to the attack; with his accurate heading (despite his stature), he has cleared many an opposition cross and shackled countless lost causes. As of now, it must be noted that Thengz and Sum (possibly due to little playing time together), have not conceded a goal when in partnership. Soft-spoken with a wicked sense of humour, Sum has proven to be another core piece to the puzzle.

Ng Congjing. [CONG 19]

If Yt’s initial absence proved any potential discomfort, it paved way for Mr. Nice Guy Congjing, another player which we never realized the importance till we met him. Leo got him at 2am the night before, after Yt went down with a fever, and what a pleasant surprise it turned out to be. Scoring a hat-trick on his debut, Cong has gone on a series of roles, finally becoming a vital cog in our defence, forming a good understanding with Thengz. Amazing stamina, matched with a calm yet tenacious demeanor, ‘el commando’ has made many an opposition player feel stretched and helpless with his positioning and brave play.

Ng Wee Leong. [BUTTER 1]

After all the players, Lobos still lacked a custodian! The obvious first choice was Leo, but then he was more useful as an outfield player. Thankfully, in another one of Zp’s recruiting match, we chanced upon an immensely brave and enthusiastic player, who saw keeping the ball out more important than bloody knees and wounds. Wee Leong made his debut in a friendly shortly after, impressing as he kept out shot after shot at the expense of his body. Willing to dive and scrap for the team, Wee der Leong, as he is affectionally called, has won the admiration of many opposing strikers for his willingness to sacrifice for the Lobo’s cause.

Liow Liang Fa [AFGNAIL 6]

Lobos now had all elements, a player for every position needed, except one: the sweeper, a ball-playing defender that could dictate play from the back. After consulting Tay and Tze, we narrowed down the list to Liang Fa, a confident player with good close-ball control and passing skills to complement the steel of the other defenders, and a good friend of mine from my Chinese High days. Not to say, of course, that he can’t defend; Liang Fa has the tenacity and positioning to combat most strikers on their day. Yet, it is his dribbling from deep and accurate long balls that have added another dimension to the Lobos.

Edmund Lee [EDMUND 11]

Was that all? Not quite. Many have seen Ed’s inclusion as more of a friendship thing (a course-mate from my literature faculty) and a player replacing Tay (still injured) while offering a valuable back-up to all positions. However, contrary to this analysis, ‘Edmundo’ has a wide range of attacking skills; keeping a cool (if too cool) head under most conditions, he is capable of exploding into action when the situation demands. Accurate shooting, packed with considerable power and neat footwork makes him a valuable asset to the attack-line, and his versatility and laconic nature makes him a unique character.

The other players

We did dally with other alternatives during the Dark Ages (when Zp frequently went missing, Tay twisted his knee, Tze had elephant ankles). A few notables come to mind: Hui Kai, an enthusiastic forward with good ball skills and powerful shots, and Tak Wee, a colossus in midfield with passing skills and great teamwork. For one reason or another, they have decided not to remain with us, which is a pity.

And this is how the team Lobos C.F. was formed.