Goal!

Friday, November 16, 2007

The Long Road to Recovery

Team doctors have confirmed rumours that MPFC's utility midfielder Chris Raj is beginning to start light training again following his horrific injury while riding his bike. Team Physio Dr. Thap Sum Bong released a press statement last night amidst all the rumours that the team was trying to prevent the player from joining National Team duty.

"The player in question has just returned from injury following intensive treatment over the last few months on his right shin bone. The team manager stressed that he did not want a half-fit player who would suffer a recurrance once the gruelling season starts taking its toll. With most of his training still done under the supervision of our team of physios, we're confident that he could be back on the field in a week's time. His fitness may not be up to standard, but that would be expected from a player who has been out for almost 3 months now"

Chris Raj would be known to many of the MPFC faithful as our very version of Harry Kewell. We're talking about the injury proneness and not skills though. Since his signing from his successful 4 year stint at VSNP club de football where he scored numerous goals and was part of the winning teams at both the Macpherson NPCC Cup and the VSNP intra-unit soccer competition, he has been criticized for not being the player he once was. This may be attributed to his shine stress fracture which he picked up prior to his signing. Despite all of these, MPFC fans still hold believe that one day he'll deliver a performance worthy of his utmost potential.

"We've seen many footages of him, linking up with former VSNP cf players who are now MPFC players, and they have a very good understanding between them. The goals that have come of a result between the teamwork of A.Bain, T.Teo and K.Kwek and even some of the senior players- along with C.Raj has been excellent. We're hoping for the same partnership to blossom once more in MPFC colours. We're prepared to give him time to fit into the new system and to gel with his team mates, but there's always a limit to our patience" commented MPFC VIP season ticket holder and Fan Club Chairman Mama Mat Mungen.

Despite the hefty fine Chris Raj has been slapped with from the MPFC Board of Directors for drink-riding, there has been no sign that they have decided to let the player go, with the Chairman firmly insisting that he has 4 years left on his contract to honour. In an exclusive interview with the player himself, Chris Raj has expressed his frustration at the situation.

"It wasn't a very good start. My medical prior to my signing already informed the club about my shin's condition. Yet the top brass expressed their trust and signed me. I was eager to pay back right from my debut, but the injury worsened and one thing led to another. I apologise for the bad example I've set to the young fans out there. I hope in the games to come, you'll provide me your fullest support as I try to regain my best" commented the player in an e-mail interview.

Senior player Firdaus, who was also Chris Raj's teammate at VSNP cf echoed his views which he believes is shared by the entire team, "The season's about to resume and the boys haven't heard much progress on chris' injury. the gaffer did mention though that he is well recovering, and really we're all praying chrissy can come back on to the pitch and kick some balls soon!"

His wish may have come through earlier than he might have expected with many fans predicting that the manager may give his troubled midfielder a run out in next week's match.
Will it be another season to forget for Chris Raj?
Or will he soon be the player he once was?

Another exciting season awaits and you can trust this column to keep you updated all season.

littleblackboy, MPFC correspondent.

10:04 PM