SOCIAL FREES (Penang) 0 - 1 OUTSIDERS FC (KL)

This historic game was played at the City Stadium in Georgetown, Penang on 10 April 2010. So the scenario is the oldest social football team in Penang (maybe Malaysia?) playing in the oldest stadium in Malaysia and with most of the Social Frees team represented by the alumni of Penang Free School (the oldest school in Southeast Asia), we have a jackpot of sorts.

It was the first time that the Social Frees team was playing in the format of three 30 minute halves with 10 minute breaks in between. The result was fair with Outsider FC (who were clearly the more organised team) winning 1-0. However, the main winner was the social spirit that prevailed throughout the game with teams sending the ball out of play whenever somebody was injured, no intentional fouls, no persistent bad mouthing of one another, minimal questioning of referees' decisions and congratulating one another after the game had ended. This was indeed a true example of how a social game should be played.

Our thanks and gratitude to Felix Ooi (Municipal Councillor) and his assistant Annuar for helping us make this event a success.