John Leonard, Matthias Bertl, Denis Mecklenburg, Steffen Schacher, Marcus Heerlein, Christoph Hoermann, Hermann Bergmann, Ralf Jauch, Michael Klemm, Andre Koehlmann, Florian Schindler

Subs: Rino Binder, Volker Giebitz, Alvin Tan, Robert Seidenkranz

After 4 defeats in a row it was the East German Santa Claus, who genuinely asked the German team to step up their game and to remember the good old German traditions of hard working, TEAMGEIST and FIGHT. This was absolutely essential against a tough Pulau Ubin side during another Muddy Murphy's affair at SCRC.

The Germans started with birthday boy John Shilton in goal, who had just turned 20. Madse Beckenbauer, Denis Wadenbeisser and Schoko Schachi assembled the defense. In midfield it was Marcus Overath, Chrischdoff van Bommel, Hermann Herzog, Ralf Kurbjuweit, Michael Sparwasser and Andre Schweinsteiger, which left Florian Podolski as the lonely striker.

The game started with a few chances on both ends, however neither team could convert. The Germans played some good attacks, via Andre Schweinsteiger, but could not manage to get on the score sheet. During a time when the game looked pretty much dead-locked it was Florian Podolski in a counter attack via Ralf Kurbjuweit who showed the good old 1860 Munich Football School. With a fine run and a solid shot he made it nicely 1-0 for the German's. Only a few minutes later Michael Sparwasser demonstrated the East German Football School was not too bad either with a lovely shot into the triangle. So it was 2-0 for the German's which was a bit lucky since Ubin had missed some chances as well and since the pitch did not really allow for decent football. Never mind - there were still 45 muddy minutes to be played.

The East German Santa Claus asked the team during the break to stay tuned and to dig in their heels in order to not give away this lead. While Ubin now took a bit more control it was only towards the end of the second half the first serious chance was created, when John Shilton palmed the ball into the path of the Ubin striker, who should have finished, but thanks (blame) to Muddy Murphy - it did not happen. By that time the German's were already down to 10 men, as Schoko Schachi was so hot to get to the Zouk Out quickly by picking his second yellow card.  The Germans brought on Robert De Niro, Alvin Fandi and Volker Voeller to rescue the lead. A few minutes before the end Volle Voeller nicely set up Mr.Sparwasser who narrowly missed the goal with his loop. Soon after it was over and the Germans had managed to bring the win home with a spirited Teamgeist performance and a little bit of luck. Man of The match goes to Andre Schweinsteiger, who showed great runs and helped the team substantially winning balls in the back and pushing forward.

Thanks to Ubin for a good and fair game. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year !

Joerg Kuehn