Miss playing soccer

I was watching tv when suddenly an advertisement caught my attention - Singapore vs Thailand, LIVE on channel 5 this Sat evening! Yeah.. can watch the match at the comfort of my home.. Was thinking how Singapore is going to win Thailand by 2 goals.. still remember the first soccer match I watched was the World Cup 1990 final - West Germany vs Argentina. Not to forget the memorable Malaysia Cup days where I watched Singapore soccer team at the National Stadium..

I could still recall the first time I started playing soccer in Primary 6. Played the 1st football match on field after my PSLE. Played defender and jersey number 12. We won 6-4 in that match! Very happy.. Subsequently, during sec school, played soccer on and off. Bought my 1st soccer boots and jersey when I was 14. But it was when I reached JC, that I developed a deep liking in playing soccer! I played soccer almost everyday, even during exams.. Even had a memorable inter-class soccer tournament where we beat the favourites on penalties and reached the quarter-final. My favourite team - Team B, which we concentrate on defending and wasting time in clearing balls as far as possible.. Haha

I was at the top of my game when I was in army. I can dribble all the way and score goals on my own - my friends gave me a nickname called Jack Fake, cos I can do lots of tricks and fakes with the ball. However, I tore my right knee ligament while playing soccer in army. But thank God, it was a partial tear and it healed itself. When I reached university, I began to play soccer again every weekend with my JC friends. I was enjoying soccer again until I got injured while working in temp job. It was a full ligament tear.. I was devastated. I went knee operation twice and MC for 4 months. I thought I could not play soccer again.

But thank God, I picked myself up again and played soccer again. I was really happy that I can play soccer again, even in non-competitive soccer.. Then just 5 months ago, I injured my right knee again. My ligament was intact but I tore my menicus. Went through operation again and 1 month MC. I decided to stop playing soccer and "retire"at 30. It was one of the most painful and saddest decisions in my life.. Those were the days where I can dribble the ball, do a few fakes and score spectacular goals. No more Jack Fake.. Even now, when I climbed up the stairs, I could feel abit pain in my knee, as half of my knee menicus is gone.. I wish I can play soccer again, even kick a soccer ball.. Maybe one day my knee menicus is restored back to original and I can play soccer with my JC frens.. Really miss soccer... to play in a match again.. for one last time..