Capitals eliminates Drink Team 2-1

By Horst Hrubesch

"They will come at you with unfair tackles, dirty tricks and French crying every time they loose the ball" . . . . . the skippers word seemed to shock some of the new players, while the veterans nodded their heads - remembering former encounters with HCFCs fiercest local rivals.

As the game evolved, the pep talk from skipper Denise seemed as far from the point as Jorns ballistic passes from the right flank. It turned out to be a very calm game with only a few incidents calling for the referees attention. Maybe the game was too calm since the HCFC lacked its normal come-on-guys-lets-show-these-tossers-where-David-bought-the-beer attitude.

To be honest, first half was down right boring, with a thunder stroke from HCFC Japanese Kamikaze Takahashi Shinya as the only exception. Unfortunately the Drink Team keeper had positioned himself correctly and blocked the shot with no big a do!

0 - 0 at the break

The second half didn't look promising either, and things went from bad to worse when defence fumbled a long pass and allowed Drink Team to score. The most guilty HCFC player in that sequence was Simon/Rasmus (first HCFC appearance). In order to correct his wrong doings, Simon asked to be transferred to mid field, and celebrated it by trying to break the Drink Team skippers ankle. He didnt succeed, but did transform the poor Mr. JAGO to his alter ego Mr. WACO. After ten minutes in the penalty box, the stranger received the ball in midfield, pushed a bit forward and hammered in the equalizing goal. Never has yours truely seen such a goal at Thui Loi. Ten minutes after Simon splits the Drink Team defence, earns a penalty which he calmly converts into the final 2-1 lead.

Epilogue:
Mysterious Mr. Simon/Rasmus played his first and last game for HCFC and was last seen riding his horse in the sunset towards Nobai Airport. We will never know where he came from - or where he is going - but he certainly cleaned out that football match.

Only existing picture of Mysterious Mr. Simon/Rasmus

Match report 26 August 2006

Match report 26 August 2006: Another crushing HCFC Victory


By Jurgen Klinsmann I

15 minutes before kick off, and HCFC was missing the key to the stadium, referee, opponent team, our own match planner/goalie Mr. Oanh (just turned 36 and already senile??). On top of this, it was raining, the pitch drowned and Diggers looked a bit grumpy after having spent yet another Friday evening polishing his new boots.

Just as the team was ready to enter their armada of HCFC 4-wheelers and go back home, rays of sun broke through the clouds, the referee appeared on the pitch from out of nowhere (Verteran from the Cu Chi tunnels?), and even the opponent team XE OM'ed its way to Thui Loi.

With most of the pitch covered in 10 cm water/mud, the game was newer a great technical game, but with a decent referee and a sympathetic opponent the game was fun and worthwhile watching. While the drenched center field could have hosted the "Battle at Trafalgar" the relatively dry sidelines were used as express ways for HCFC attack minded wingers and even full backs who relentless outsmarted the more or less barefooted defense.

After 20 minutes, Martin delivered a quality cross in front of goal. Through water, debris, grass, mud and rain something charged toward the goal . . . . . Was it a bird? Was it and Aeroplane? No it was Klinsmann - the absolute favorite HCFC striker of yours truly. I held my breath. Would Klinsie deliver or did he suffer from being forced to play center defense during the entire last season???? How could I doubt? Klinsie outsprinted the defense and delivered both a great splash in the muddy box and a deadly finish past the charging goalie and voila: 1-0

Mr. Denise delivered the somewhat less elegant 2-0 goal before the opponent team reduced the lead in the dying seconds of first half by a cunning trick delivered at a free kick. Troels left for the pause tea with an astonished look on his face which was probably not that different from Goliaths after David had delivered his cheap trick.

Anyway, that's for the History books just as the fact that HCFC opened second half by splitting the defense and eliminating the opposition with another 4 goals: Diggers homed a penalty, Man of the Match Claus Klinsmann scored his second (classical 20-meters-out-with-his-back-to-the-goal-knee-shot) and delivered a fantastic cross for Denise's second before Martin's rush through defense finalized the scoring and ensured a 6 -1 win.

No last minute cancellation, no cards, no yelling, no injuries, lots of new players, die hard HCFC hooligan Byfield cheering from the stands,. . . . not to mention a well organized defense, lively midfield and Klinsmann back in front . . . . . could this be the start of a whole new HCFC era ? Only fools will still doubt!



PS. Remember that we are closing in on the deadline for printing the new kit. Let Dennis know which number you prefer and what name you want on your back.

Minutes HCFC MC meeting 25 August 2006

Minutes of HCFC Management Meeting 25 August 2006:

Agenda

1. Finances/Subs
2. Sponsors/new kits/printing
3. Phuket
4. Rashes/Saigon
5. Hanoi League
6. New members
7. AOB

1. Finances are low. With upcoming subs for September 2006 - February 2007, the Management decided to keep the monthly fee at 20 USD/month
   
2. Sponsors. There are a few potential sponsors for the coming season, but since experience tells us that many things can go wrong, all HCFC players are requested to search their minds for suitable partners. Main sponsor (chest): 500 USD, normal sponsor (sleeve): 200 USD
   
3. HCFC will enlist one team for this years Phuket tournament 25 - 26 November. For now, X your calendar, more info on this will follow shortly.
   
4. "The Rashes". One year has past since HCFC's glorious victory in "The 2005 Rashes Cup" against Saigon Saints. Check out the infamous HCFC weblog for more on this memorable event: hanoi-capitals.blogspot.com The Saints will also host this years Rashes, and HCFC has already now gathered enough sign ups to present a formidable squad (including ex HCFC legends such as Lars Peter Hansen AKA Mr. too fast and too furious) for two games on 23-24 September 2006. There is still a few seats available for this prestigious event, so if you are up for it call Mike Byfield ASAP. . . . for newcomers: this is great fun!
   
5. Hanoi League 2006/2007 will be organised by HCFC. Responsible HCFC MC members: Ricky, Oanh and Dennis.
   
6. New Members. Quite a few regular players have left Hanoi during spring/summer 2006. Management have decided to invite 5 new members: Craigh, Joern, Troels, Aske, Ben to join the club. Nonetheless, HCFC is still open for new sign ups so please inform Dennis/Ricky if you know of any talented players. HCFC will also use the transfer period to ensure better verbal and physical behaviour on the pitch. All new members will be provided the HCFC code of conduct.
   
7. AOB, club dinner and prizes for last season will be held in December

Calling all nations...

CALLING ALL NATIONS: HANOI NEEDS YOU …… TO PLAY SOME FOOTBALL !

Interested? Then come along to training with the truly international HANOI CAPITALS FC on Tuesday nights between 8-10 pm. Minimal fees charges for the 2 hours 7-a-side football.

Location: Van Phuc training Pitch, the last right on Kim Ma before reaching the Daewoo Hotel.

Hanoi Capitals not only train but also have a competitive 11-a-side game nearly every Saturday of the year. We also regularly play in regional tournaments in Saigon, Bangkok, Phnom Penh and who knows where else?

Best of all we are having great fun at the same time!

Get started by showing up at Van Phuc on Tuesdays or contact:
Ricky “Baresi” 0903 4133 39 or Claus “Klinsmann” 0912 9084 95

Minutes from management team meeting 15 April 2006

MINUTES OF MANAGEMENT MEETING

Date: 15 April 2006

Venue: Finnegan’s

In attendance: Mike, Dennis, Ricky, Oanh, Jakob, Claus, Henrik

1. Recruitment Policy

· The shortage of players is becoming acute, particularly since some additional players are leaving soon. It was agreed that the club needs to become more proactive in recruitment and seize all opportunites for recruitment.
· The training session is an important source of recruitment and it was agreed that all management team members have the right to ask potential players to come and play on Saturdays.
· Claus will design a poster informing about the club and the training session.
· Henrik will identify different mailing lists that can be used
· It was agreed to offer Stein and Brano membership in the club. Jakob will speak with them.
· It was agreed to seek more Vietnamese players.

2. Subs/Financial Issues

The club currently has 745 USD and 6,345,000 VND. The following players have not paid their subs for 2006:
Peter Digweed
Thomas Meyer
Riccardo Bianco Levrin
Jeff Brunt
Anders Stiegel
James King
Ahmet
Eamon
Nicolai Jaelpart

Players with outstanding subs are urged to pay them as soon as possible.

It was agreed that when players have indicated that they cannot play regularly but the club still asks them to play, these players only have to pay USD 5 per game. Jakob will inform these players.

3. International tournaments

The Pattaya 7-a-side tournament is due to take place on 8-9 July, 2006 (we hope to receive confirmation from the organisers shortly). The following players and former players who are most probably available include: Martin, Mike, Dennis, Diggers, John Hickin (former Captain), Ricky and Chris Currie. We are aiming for a squad of 10-12 players so please let Ricky and Mike know ASAP if you want to join. If numbers are low, we may combine with Saigon Saints.

The Rashes Return against the Saints will probably take place in Saigon in September 2006.

The club is aiming to participate again in the Phuket 7-a-side tournament in November 2006.

4. Code of Conduct/No-shows

It is not acceptable to confirm participation earlier in the week and then not show up without contacting the captain. This is particularly important given the current shortage of players. All players are encouraged to sign up in time and stick to their commitments, or at the very least contact the captain if it turns out that they can’t play.

5. Van Phuc Training Session
It was agreed that the club is committed to pay in time and provide water during the training sessions.

6. Reputation/Image

The club has learned that there are potential players in Hanoi who are reluctant to join the club due to its reputation. It was agreed that the club has improved its behavior on the pitch in recent months. It was also agreed that it’s important to project a positive image during the training sessions, since this is a good time to recruit new players.

7. AOB

As Jakob is leaving in May, Henrik will take over finance/statistics. The new composition of the management team is as follows:
Mike – Chairman
Ricky, Oanh – Managers
Dennis – Captain
Vacant – Captain of Vice
Claus – PR
Henrik – Finance/statistics

-ENDS-

HCFC defeated 2-3, match report by Sofus Krølben

(Yet another famous Danish international. On 22. October at the 1908 London Olympics Sofus "Curly legs" managed to score 10 goals in one game against France)

10 players (2 of which were injured), 3 guest players and a 2pm kick off at hot and sunny Thui Loi looked like a recipe for disaster, but turned out to be a quite interesting game. Due to two "no shows" (why do people do that?) stand in captain Klinsmann had to perform miracles scrambling a decent start up formation from the available players. The opponent side consisted of 15 genuine footballers, and especially the two wings managed to cause quite a lot of trouble for the three man HCFC defence. Luckily their forwards turned out to be quite ineffective and player of the day Oanh managed to safe numerous attempts in ways you would have to experience to think possible.

Yours truly suffered from a heat stroke but seem to remember that even though heavily outnumbered, overpowered and on the brink surrender HCFC managed to score two goals and could have scored an undeserved equalizer in the end . . . . well we didn't and had to accept being the loosing side.

Bonus info1:
Young talented mister Holbak managed to score one goal in zero attempts, and received two yellow cards but no red:-I . . . . Maybe the referee was also struggling in the heat!

Bonus info2:
Now Thui Loi has added a Xe May washing/repair station to it's remarkable range of spectator services

Sign up up to Ricky for next game:
Venue : Thuy Loi Opponent team : Cuong Bia Kick off : 2 PM