OPOD Featured Team: Team Prodigy

INTRODUCTION


Prodigy was formed by a bunch of classmates from Victoria School in 1998. Its humble beginnings started when a gang of football mad friends would religiously play soccer under the HDB void decks or basketball courts after school using pong pong fruits, thus they were nicknamed the "pong pong boys' in the early days. On a fine day, while they were playing happily at the void deck somewhere in Tampines, they were challenged by a group of ah bengs for field soccer. As the boys were not able to form a 11 side team, they roped in their fellow school mates to join them for the first field soccer game at Braddell Sec field and named themselves Prodigy. Thus, Prodigy was born and soon, they found themselves playing recreational field soccer on and off throughout their JC and Army days. The founding members were Kelvin Chua, Ken, Bernard, Ching Weng, Weiyi, Henry, Kelvin Kwek, Sukiang, Kiat Hui.

The bulk of the first generation of Prodigians has since left the team after JC, with the team then going through a quiet period from 2002-2004. From 2004 onwards, the 2nd generation of Prodigy was formed and they regularly played Sunday friendly matches until 2006 when due to heavy schoolwork, the team went stagnant for another period of 2 years.

It was in late 2007 after taking part in a NUS soccer tournament and relishing the joy of competitive soccer did the old guards thought of joining a league. Hence, with the new recruitment of star players from friend referrals, a third generation of Prodigians were formed and they entered the Sunday Espzen league as Team Prodigy starting from the lowest rung of division 9 in Jan 2008. The first manager was Kelvin Chua, and since then, he has stepped down to be the manager mentor while Ken is now the current team manager of the team.

TEAM PERFORMANCE

Team Prodigy have been promoted every season since their inception in 2008 and in their maiden season, they won their 3rd place promotion playoff tie against AC united 3-2 by virtually the last kick of the game with the penalty by top scorer Mick Tan. The team then went on to secure 3rd place in their 2nd season and consecutive runner up positions in their 3rd and 4th season in Espzen. Looking ahead in their current 5th season in Division 4, the team's target is to be promoted again to the higher divisions and eventually, they hope to reach Division 1 and win the title and be crowned Kings of Espzen before they retire from the league. LOL. The team is currently looking for a sponsor and hope with new injection of funds, it can propel them to greater heights.

TRANSFER STORIES

The recruitment policy in Team Prodigy is based on the referral basis and as it is a close knit unit, only friends of friends are recommended into the team should the manager feel that there is a lack of cover or quality in a certain position. This is to ensure that team spirits are kept high and that everyone will know one another well on and off the pitch.

TACTICS

Prodigy usually play a traditional 4-4-2 winger formation as they have an abundance of talented wingers. Upfront will be a combination of their lanky Mick Tan who do the Luca Toni holding role while the other striker will be the pacy James or Hongyao. Midfielders consists of Captain Yiyang, Alonso Kun, Nigel and Manager Ken who will rotate among themselves. The fullbacks will overlap and join the wingers in the attack with the centrebacks doing the covering role. The team play a direct style of football with a mix of long balls and short passes usually at a high tempo and their strength is the counter attack with the team utilising the pace of the wingers and James.

KEY PLAYERS

James: Prodigy's current top markman was the biggest transfer coup in the history of the club when he left his childhood team Questra Vipers to join Team Prodigy in 2009 after his initial loan. Since his transfer and increased commitment, he has been the most dangerous threat in the team with his pace and finishing. Besides his blistering pace, he has since improved on his technique and teamwork and is now what Fernardo Torres is to Liverpool.

Bernard: One of the founder of the team, Bernard is one of the most likeable players in the team and his dazzling wingplay is reminiscing of Ryan Giggs in his younger days. As the captain of VJC track and field team in 2000, he is one of a handful of players who can challenge James to a 100m sprint. His other asset is that he is able to play on both wings and on his day, he can torment any defender playing on his side. A regular corner taker for the team as well and he once scored direct from the corner kick.

Jiahui: One of the most under rated player and perhaps the most important player of the team, Jiahui has rarely missed a game since Prodigy joined the league in 2008 and his attendence rate surprised many considering that he is a busy lawyer. His handling and kicking has improved tremendously since he was converted to a keeper from a striker during the first season and saving penalties is his forte as he has saved countless penalties since. A tall and confident guy, Jiahui is the Buffon for the team and his miraculous saves often win him man of the match awards.


MANAGER’S CORNER

Ken Goh is a trainee doctor current studying at NUS-DUKE medical school and beside his busy schedule, soccer is the only way for him to relax with his friends over books and he looks forward to every Sunday with Team Prodigy. He often picks up his players who live near him to the soccer venues and send them home after the game too. This has been going on for the past 2 years and on the pitch, he is a selfless individual who often plays himself out of positions to cover for teammates or if there is an absentee for a position. He also coordinates the attendence for each week game by sending out smses to the players.

Ken quotes: " I am really proud of the team considering that 10 years ago, we were a bunch of nobodies who played soccer wearing our home t-shirts. Now we are playing in division 4 of Espzen and the players have since grown with the team. Our values are based on the 3 principles of friendship, passion and sportmanship and most of us are football lovers and we enjoy our soccer every Sunday. We treasure our friendships too and it is this bond that keep us together during our toughest times in the league and help us overcome setbacks. I hope that we can keep this passion going until we are old."


Actual article with pics can be found here:
http://www.footballopod.com/ViewArticle.aspx?id=1041