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 People
say that soccer is a game for men. In a game which
is mostly associated with beer, men are well-known
to be the most avid supporters. All these came almost
to an end with "Bend it like Beckham." In
the show, we catch a glimpse of how women can razzle
dazzle with a ball as well. True enough, the popularity
of this "masculine" sport is fast catching
up with the females. On a warm Sunday afternoon on
24th August 2003, that we see loads of women playing
soccer and showing how they can "Bend it like
Beckham." The competition is known as Pesta
Sukan 7-a-side soccer tournament.
 Republic Polytechnic's female soccer team was formed
on 10th August 2003, where they had their first meeting
to get to know each other. The girls, full of passion
and drive, came down for training three times a week
in view of this competition. From not knowing how
to kick a ball, they started to learn the basics
of how to pass a ball, how to run to space, how to
tackle and much more. The numerous sprints and jogs
which they had tuned them physically for this competition
as well. After this training stint, they firmly believed
that they could make heads turn in this competition.
Republic Polytechnic was up against three teams
- Commonwealth Palace, Nanyang Technological University
as well as National Junior College. The target set
was not too far-fetched. A draw with National Junior
College, less than five goals to be conceded by Commonwealth
Palace and Nanyang Technological University.
 The first match was against Commonwealth Palace
and it was a rude awakening call to Republic Polytechnic.
The opponents were able to dribble and drift past
our defenders without any trouble. The shots fired
non-stopped and with the girls not being able to
match the opponents pace for pace, size for size,
Republic Polytechnic lost 2-0. They held their heads
high for they ran their tired legs non-stopped. They
chased hard for every ball and for a team only two
weeks old, they tried their very best and most of
all, they had attained the target set by their coach.
The second match came 50 minutes later. In a match
against National Junior College, Republic Polytechnic
was fired up to do well and to show to the rest of
the world that they can walk away from this competition
with at least a point. The coach sent out the most
attacking-minded players. However, the opponents
were simply a class above even though they were just
a school like Republic Polytechnic. The goals started
to bulge into RP's net and the keeper was soon substituted
after she was left in tears with the saves she had
to make. The match ended 3-0 with RP losing and the
dejected heads were left counting ants as they walked
out of the field. There was silence. There was unhappiness.
Most importantly, there was sadness and tears in
their eyes. 
In the final match, Republic Polytechnic used their
every last ounce of energy to face against the almighty
NTU. With rehearsed moves and quick one-twos, some
of the girls can volley better than the guys, RP
was totally over-run. It was all out defence for
the girls but the opponents seemed to have more than
the seven people allowed on the pitch. They covered
every blade of grass on the pitch and ran rings round
the RP team. The final score was 7-0.
The target set was not met and the girls were left
dejected, but this first ever outing not only left
The Republic's soccer girls team with more friends
and more experience but more importantly, a lot more
determined to succeed in learning how to "Bend
it like Beckham!"
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