It was not what I anticipated. I had actually planned to go jogging but ironically ended up watching a football match. It was that unforgettable night which would forever be etched on my mind for I had never witnessed a local football match which involve clubs instead of countries competing against each other.
It was approximately 7.30 p.m. and I was heading towards Bedok Stadium. Jogging was my motive. Little did I realise that a football match was going to start in a few minutes' time. The home team was none other than Geylang United. I was rather crestfallen for it was not according to plan and had no choice but to jog around an alternate route that I was not familiar with. I jogged one round as my heart no longer felt like jogging and went to do some sit-ups at a nearby fitness corner. From far, I could see the stadium gantry congested with people ranging from descent supporters to football fanatics. Out of curiousity, I approached the ticketing usher and eventually made it through the gantry. How I got the ticket? Some kind soul gave it to me, a pretty Malay lady to be exact:). I was so fortunate! Just my lucky day, I thought.
The chilly atmosphere made the situation incandescent, with the home fans chanting Geylang United's name. My worst regret? I had forgotten to bring my digital camera but I did take snapshots though, courtesy of my handphone's 2.0 mp camera. The images were quite blur but was worth taking them. There was a flamboyant sight of the home fans beating their drums while chanting the club's name and others humbly watching the game.
It was not a one-sided match with teams equally dominating in the first-half. The end of the first-half drew near and there was an additional 2 minutes to be played. The home side won a corner and the ball was crossed towards the player wearing the Number 17 jersey who headed home to make the score 1-0. Pandemonium reigned across the entire stadium and for some unknown reason, I went mad too. Influenced by the crowd, probably. The referee blew the whistle which marked an end to the first-half, the score-line at 1-0.
At Bedok Stadium, the score-line currently at 0-0I followed the crowd and made my way outside the gantry, not knowing what to do at that moment. Some people just out to smoke for smoking is prohibited inside the stadium. The second-half was going to start and I chose to sit near where the 'peace-breakers' were sitting. My mind was telling me to chant with them. A 1-0 lead is good, but doubling the lead would be much better.
The away team then began to show what they were made of, playing attacking football. The home side too had a couple of chances but it was the away side that exhibit their performance with lustre. The second-half was rather nerve-racking but no goals were produced. Tensions were high as the game went on to 3 minutes of extra time. The 'peace-breakers' were chanting more loudly than usual and began to sing random songs like 'Chan Mali Chan'. Seriously, WTF?!
Finally, the referee blew his whistle and the stadium roared. What I had just witnessed was an unforgettable 90 minutes of football and as a home fan, I was truly contented with Geylang United's well-deserved victory. Glory Glory Geylang United!!!
The 'Peace-Breakers'
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