nothing without labour

sometimes you play better.
you dominate the game.
you create more attacking chances.

but against the run of play, your opponent scores with their only chance.

then early in the second-half, your player is brought down resulting in the opposing goalkeeper being sent off.
but the referee judges the foul to be just on the edge of the box.
no penalty.

and the possession turns strongly in your favour.
you hold the ball and try to break them down but they're one man down.
they park a bus in front of their goal.
from 4-4-2, they are now playing 8-0-1.

you hit the crossbar with an overhead kick.
you tap the ball into the goal and send the crowd into raptures.
but it's offside.

and in the dying minutes of injury time, you hit the freekick and the ball seems to curl and nestle into the top corner.
the crowd goes crazy but no, it's the side-netting.

and then the final whistle goes.

the opposing team celebrate in pure elation while you stand in despair.

sometimes in life that happens, just like how it happens in soccer.
you may play it better but you may not win.
but that is the reality of the beautiful game.

at the end of the day, it was a good fight.
there should be no regrets as long as you gave it your best shot.
and i must say that i'm very proud to be a victorian.

the way we sang our school anthem today seriously filled me with pride.

nil sine labore.

Victoria in Singapore
There are other schools we know
Victoria is something more
The school that watched us grow

For here we've learnt and striven too
And played the sportsman's game
Victoria we give to you
The honour that you claim

Victoria, thy sons are we
And we will not forget
Victoria, thy triumphs see
And victories we share yet

For others came before and went
And carried to the world
Victoria's fame and our intent
To keep her flag unfurled.