In the recently concluded Veritas Cup and SSSA U19 Football Tournament, Rangers, the school football team of Ulink, faced the departure of key players and the pressure of a packed schedule, yet managed to secure two bronze medals, drawing a satisfactory close to their 2024 campaign.
Veritas Cup
It is a novel and demanding season for Rangers, as they grapple with the graduation of pivotal players, including their legendary goalkeeper and captain, and adapt to a far more compact schedule than ever before. Over the past one and a half months, they participated in one cup and two tournaments, amassing a total of 10 official matches.
They encountered numerous familiar foes and encountered fresh competitors. In the Veritas Cup held in early November, they struggled to maintain their defensive rhythm, leading to a penalty shootout in the season’s opener. However, both their new recruits and seasoned varsity players demonstrated resilience and determination, securing a resounding 4-2 victory. Despite their nascent tactics and seemingly inconsistent referee decisions, they ultimately secured the bronze medal, finishing in third place. By then, they recognized the areas needing improvement, yet a promising season awaited them.
Moving on to the second tournament, which arrived just two weeks later, Rangers exhibited a dominant performance in the group stage, avenging their loss against YK Pao and securing clean-sheet victories in three out of four matches. Yet again, they failed to reach the final. Although objective factors, such as inconsistent referee decisions, existed, they reflected on their defeat to identify the urgent need for enhancements in their strategies and tactics against physically imposing teams.
Summarizing the season, Rangers faced the graduation of key players and the arrival of new members and a coach. They adapted to a different emphasis on fitness and physicality. The coach emphasized discipline and toughness, bringing new energy to the team while also affording them more space to deliberate and explore their own tactics. Looking ahead, they aspire to reclaim the elusive championship trophy in the forthcoming league with the so-called ‘golden generation’ of Rangers.
SSSA Cup
On November 30th, Rangers traveled to Shanghai High School International Division to participate in the SSSA Cup. They played a total of five matches, achieving four victories and one defeat, ultimately ranking third. In the group stage, they defeated SCLS 3-0, YKPAO 2-0, HIBA 3-0, and KCIS 2-1. In these four group matches, all players and coaches exemplified the competitiveness and cohesion of a formidable team. Coach Keith and Coach Eric devised a 3-2-1 tactical formation for the team. During the group stage, the players grasped this tactic and executed it flawlessly, achieving high expected goals and possession rates, while conceding only one goal, which was highly encouraging.
Player Jay shone as a wing-back. His exceptional ball control and overall vision allowed him to dominate the entire left wing. With Rangers’ ace striker Frank, they scored numerous goals. The midfielders, Jeff, Kyrie, Yuan, and Stephen, demonstrated their proficiency in retreating to receive the ball and, upon receiving it, whether they pushed forward, passed, or collaborated with their teammates, they executed impeccably. The defenders, Richard, Franklin, Hector, and Neo, were formidable and successfully thwarted all their opponents’ attacks during the group stage. Notably, Hector scored his maiden goal in his Rangers career, which was a momentous occasion.
However, in the semifinals, Rangers succumbed to SHSID 0-3. Various factors contributed to the loss. Firstly, the referee was biased towards the opposing team, resulting in two direct goals for them. Nevertheless, Rangers also had their own shortcomings. When the referee’s decisions were inaccurate, some players became overly focused on the referee rather than the game itself. Consequently, they failed to create scoring opportunities and did not play to their full potential to win the match. Focusing on the game itself is paramount. As Rangers, we believe we are the strongest team. If we give our best and believe in ourselves, we will be unstoppable. Rangers finished third in the SSSA Cup, and I firmly believe we could have performed even better in this competition.
From the Coach
Mr. Keith is a hopeful and versatile former Olympic athlete, he transitioned from competitive sports to a 12-year teaching and coaching career. His passion for sports drives his commitment to nurturing young athletes’ growth, both personal and professional. Currently, he’s leading his football team to achieve league supremacy, a dream shared by many of his senior players.
As the football coach of the Rangers, I try to ensure that every facet of their training is meticulously organized and purpose-driven, guiding the players to unlock their utmost potential. Each week, the training regimen adheres to a well-structured routine, skillfully balancing physical conditioning and tactical preparation to propel players to excellence on the field.
On Mondays, the emphasis is on robust physical conditioning. Players engage in an array of workouts, including endurance running, sprints, and strength exercises, aimed at bolstering their stamina, speed, and power. These workouts serve as the cornerstone for developing the physical resilience necessary to endure the rigorous demands of competitive football. Over time, they also hone players’ agility and resilience, preparing them adequately for intense matches.
Wednesdays are dedicated to tactical training, where the focus lies on refining team strategies and enhancing coordination on the field. Players immerse themselves in drills that encompass formations, set-pieces, and situational plays, such as corner tactics and counterattacks. These tactical exercises foster a deeper understanding of the game while cultivating teamwork and communication, both vital for achieving success during matches.
Prior to every training session, a standardized warm-up routine is executed. Players commence with a few laps of jogging around the field to ignite their muscles and elevate blood circulation. This is succeeded by dynamic stretches and flexibility exercises, aimed at minimizing the risk of injuries. The warm-up not only physically prepares the players but also mentally transitions them into the training mindset, setting the pace for productive sessions.
This balanced approach guarantees that the team cultivates both physical endurance and tactical proficiency, equipping them to confront challenges and attain their objectives on the field.
