its nice to play football on the field (for real, not gamers, fantasy football or even futsal). I dont play basketball nor games generally accociated to one 'race'  of course its a bit difficult for some these days as it requires a around 15-18++ players (team inclu subs) to build a local club football.  I was involved way (way) back then, there are weekly matches, even in friendlies we had proper 'men-in-black' officiating.  To FLampard, its was a lesson for you. but in every game its different, esp sometimes you know the oppenents are so strong they can run miles around you. we were a loosely assembled team of friends with a good round mix from indians, chinese, & malays.  In my earlier playing days i had the opportuntiy to play against ex-malaysian internationals (santock singh (once), khan hung meng (2x) ) with their clubs. they were much retired & but playing against them was like chasing shadows. how was its like before playing them. i'm afraid we approached it quite negatively, got whacked by players almost 15-18+ years older then us. (we were quite awed by the occasion but i wont use that excuse).  in our team, the malay boys were quite skillful too, our forwards were usually 2 indian chaps & a singh (somehow they have the speed but wont last much as these friends of ours werent fortunate as their parents are people of means). they travel to matches by public transport & sometime we pick them up from bus stations. the others travel there either by car & even kapchais.  We had a 'playing manager', & yes he can be quite tough, dropping a player if he knows 'physically or mentally not up to mark". But at times he has to give in because we arent 'real pros' but a bunch of mainly semi-serious player enthusiast.  if you go beyond to a serious compatitive game, its good. then you'll see sometimes its isnt as simple as 'talking' armchair football. some of us are as expressive in words online but may have a better grasps of the game having played on the 100mx120m breath of the field.    it also nice to chalk up trophies with your team, i had my little share. something i really treasure (photo(s), now if i can remember where i put that photo