我在足球球証的日子2009 X - New highlight God make it in my life!!!

That's electify and stunning moment in my life. God know I am working really hard in my refereeing career. That's a gift I never expect it will come -- then that's a great gift, in the right place, at the right time.

First of all, about 2 months ago, my referee co-ordinator inspected me -- and he gave me really high marks for 15 years old game.

A week later, he told me I got upgrade to All Aged A Reserve Grade -- I was so excited.

But I couldn't referee that game as the ground was closed that week.

Starting from that week, I was waiting and waiting when can I referee All Aged A Reserve Grade. The chance hadn't come. But I was keep getting All Aged B games every week -- plus some extra games on Sunday (maybe Over 35 grades as helper on Sunday -- due to too many games got postponed this year due to bad weather condition, we don't have enough referees on Sunday games, so I help them a bit after Sunday Service)

When I got my refereeing schedule this week, I was wondering I got "downgrade" on my Saturday games -- as I would be refereeing All Aged E game in Beverly Hills, then I would be refereeing back to NORMAL grade on Sunday -- as All Aged B Reserve Grade in Banskia. But I felt ok for this -- cos that's just reverse what's the games normally I am refereeing -- getting higher grade on Saturday, then lower grade on Sunday. Also I was really happy that Patrick Kong from CBC would have been my partner on Saturday too -- He's my friend that I introudce him to be starting his refereeing career this year. And he's getting his first All Aged game in his career as rookie -- I was glad I could be staying next to him, to help him to be better referee and maybe that's why I was "downgrading" on Saturday.

On Friday night, when I was in fellowship, Patrick called me that our games were cancel. I felt not happy about it and I thought I didn't need to referee on Saturday and took a day off. At the end of fellowship, about at 9.30pm, my referee co-ordinator sent me a SMS, he told me that "please check your new refereeing schedule on Saturday and Sunday games and reply in email" I thought that's a group message so I thought I should check my Sunday games. I knew that's kind of urgent so I checked it in church.

As Patrick told me that's only All Aged A or higher grades would be playing on Saturday. I was curious what's going on and opened the schedule on Saturday. Suddenly I found out my name was in the schedule -- and I would be refereeing All Aged A Reserve!!! I could see my senior partner on that day -- Arthur, who is 1 of the most respectful referees in my heart. I know he's an uncle, who has a lot of experience in refereeing and he's willing to teach young referees how to be a good referee.

When I started my game today, I was kind of nervous. I am working really hard this 4 years to be a good referee -- also a good witness in Christ -- a strict, fair referee on the ground. Of cos as a new referee in new level, players would challenge my decision. I expected that... so I kept talking to all players. I didn't hesistate to do what normally I am doing as referee -- strict! But I tried my best to deal with all players.

When I called a penalty in first half, that's my first test during whole game -- defenders tried to argue with my decision and I waved them out (that's right procedure). So players knew I was clear what I was doing. They could respect my decision.

The second challege was coming up about 10 mins later. An attacker was offside, the Assistant Referee was raising up his flag and called offside. The Defending Goal Keeper caught the ball inside his penalty box so I waved his flag off. I turned back and told his teammates, "don't worry, I give you an adv as Goal Keeper hold the ball" That Goal Keeper might misunderstand my decision and he thought that's offside. So he dropped off his ball and waited for free kick. As I didn't blow the whistle, an attacker from other team thought that's a chance and he tried to run in. Then all the people yelled out. I knew something was wrong so I pulled back the first decision, OFFSIDE and blew the whistle loudly.

The game was cool down later on and I felt a bit frustrated. After the half time, Authur taught me how to handle it better next time -- The first part, as I requested AR to wave down his flag was absolutely right -- but I could yell out to Goal Keeper, "Goal Keeper, this is your ball" so Goal Keeper would know what's my calling and there'd be no confusion between any players on the field. Also he told me I did it alright and I made the right penalty call.

That's funny in 2nd half as all players behaved differently in first half. They might know I made I ran the game well and didn't challenge most of my decision -- of cos I was keep talking to them if I gave advantages as there might be fouls from opponents.

Remember when I called the penalty during first half, some defenders were trying to challenge my decision? I gave another penalty in 2nd half! No one tried to test me this time -- might be everyone was clear that's penalty (including attackers and defenders) -- maybe they know I won't change my mind for my decision.

Then the game became quiet after that and I could finish my game

Final report

5 goals
3 yellow cards (1 yellow for a players who wore jewellery on the game, 1 yellow for a player who took a bad challenge, 1 yellow for a player, after that challenge, used his arm to push an opponet)
2 penalties

At the end, Arthur said I did a good job and I handled the match really well, for example, I was keep communicate with players, also all assitant referees to work as a team.

I am so happy that GOD help me to pass my test.

Thank you Lord!