Selangor Floorball League 2011/2012 Recap

As the Selangor Floorball League 2011/2012 season has come to an end, let us recap on what this surprising season has come about. This season has been an exciting yet surprising one compared to the previous two seasons. Many comeback victories, high-scoring games, nail biting encounters, upsets etc.

Well, that’s what we see based on the results. But what about internally? The management, team and match preparation, referees? I wouldn’t say anything critically, but I do want to say we can do better than this.

I’ll start with the controversial transfer window. The induction of the transfer window was based on an anonymous request and the league committee has come to an agreement to have a transfer window. But the outcome of the transfer window may have hurt some teams. Like Bangi Rusty Blade, they have 4 players transferring out within 24 hours. It may seem like a disadvantage. Due to this outcome, we have to think twice before allowing such ruling midway through the season. Yeah, it is interesting and exciting, if we compare it to international football season. But what good will it be if teams enter mishap? Lucky for Bangi Rusty Blade, they survived and fought back their pride in style.

What about the high-scoring league games? Subang Rascals have literally thrashed every single team this season with an impressive 334 goals! That’s 18.5 goals per game! Yeah, it’s nice to see them scoring in textbook perfection. But look at the bigger picture, has the standard of the game dropped? I wouldn’t say the players have deteriorate, in fact, individual skills have improved, but team play has not improved much. Or maybe, inconsistent. This is one area I believe everyone should look into seriously.


What about comeback victories? Many teams have done remarkable comebacks this season. Gang Bintang made many comebacks in the beginning of the season. Bangi Rusty Blade has done a remarkable comeback from a poor start till a satisfying league-placed finish. In fact, I put them as one of the favourites to win the Premier Cup alongside KLIUC Hornets. KLIUC Griffin has surprised many of their improvement from a last-placed finish last season till a 6th-placed finish this season. It was their commitment and passion as a team that inspires me most.


If you ask me which game is my favourite, I would say the GMI White Knights-KLIUC Hornets game. In that game, the crowd and players went ecstatic when the noise from both sides have lighten up the whole Rakan Muda complex. Both players show great promising runs to fight for their team's pride. Even though it was GMI White Knights who snatched a victory, the commitment shown by both sides has been a joy to watch.

Now, let’s talk about coaches. As we see this season, many teams have started employing sideline coaches except for Gang Bintang and Subang Rascals, whose players are the coaches. It has come in every team’s mind of the importance of coaches. National and Gang Bintang goalkeeper, Illyaz has given an inspiring speech on the importance of having a coach in the Selangor Floorball Association facebook and I believe that has triggered every team managers to have a coach. Well, I must say, this has a positive effect on the team play with experienced international players like Sjaiful, Khalid, Illyaz etc. all share their experience and induct it to the team strategies.

How about the new teams? GMI Blackwings have some impressive games despite their lack of experience. In the game I’ve played against them, where only 6 showed up. I believe they are a team who deserves more respect as they did not give up and fought till the end. Yeah, it might be nice for some teams to try and score more when they are understrength, but it is important, especially in a team sport, that we have to respect our opponents. Same goes to Joker Prodigy FC, despite having two walkovers, and their players’ commitment may seem questionable, I believe we should respect them for trying to gather the players, and they played with 6 players on many occasions, to come and put up a competitive match.

Now, let’s go to individual talents. We have seen the brilliance of Kamal Affendy, Dennis Thulin and many others who have been really impressive in a match. Terence of Salibandy!Co. was impressive as well with his great stick handling. But my two favourite picks go to Azmill Hadzim (KLIUC Hornets) and Alvin Lee (Salibandy!Co.). It has been a joy to watch when these two played. Azmill Hadzim, besides his infamous kick on the post which fractured his ankle, he has been really impressive this season. I might say Hornets’ form depends largely on him. If he plays well, then they play well. During a discussion with Juha Nevalainen, who surprised everyone and played for Hornets against Gang Bintang, he complimented Azmill and said he is on the right track to becoming a great goalkeeper. One of the key point of Azmill’s performances was his confidence in his hands. Maybe it has been a routine for him, but his ability in shot stopping has been remarkable and there’s always room for improvement. As for Alvin, I believe he is the backbone of Salibandy!Co. From my observation, he is the one who leads and influence the team plays at most times. I’m not saying their captain, Daniel Phang, is not doing a good job, but Alvin has been the most hardworking player in the team and have been an influencer of the team since the start of the first season.

Overall, this season might be a success, but we have many rooms of improvement. Entering our 3^rd season already, we still have problems with time management, organization etc. I believe it is the job of everyone to put in efforts to help out whichever way they can because we are still developing the sport in the nation. And it is the responsibility of everyone to help improve the association and move it forward.

So long till Selangor Floorball League 2012/2013, twas' a good season and it is goodbye for now.

Jet