Club Maurice Returns for Fourth Consecutive MKS Melbourne Tournament

Club Maurice has announced its participation in the MKS Melbourne Shield 2011.  This will be its fourth consecutive appearance in an MKS Melbourne tournament.  The announcement will surely dull the ambitions of other teams in the tournament given Club Maurice's past successes.

The Melbourne-based club first began as an outdoor soccer club when Shane Chan rallied a small group of players from Caulfield Park to compete in the Victorian Outdoor Soccer Amateur League.  In short time, great teamwork developed between the players and the team grew as a whole.  Club Maurice players have always respected their team mate's efforts and, most importantly, respected their opponents.

Club Maurice at the Champions Cup 2010 Tournament

At the very first MKS Melbourne tournament, the Champions Cup Winter 2009, Club Maurice's Kenny Lam plied his skill and experience as The Replacements' goal-keeper.  With Kenny Lam between the posts, The Replacements only conceded 9 goals in the entire tournament and emerged as undefeated champions.

In the subsequent tournament, Kenny Lam left The Replacements to bring in his outdoor team mates to form Club Maurice Underdogs.  The team showed great potential, but fortunately finished third in their group and did manage to qualify.  However, Club Maurice Underdogs did manage to draw against Hockey Pitch FC, who made stellar progress and were eventually defeated by The Replacements in the finals.

Having gained experience in MKS Melbourne tournaments, the team returned as Club Maurice to participate in the inaugural Mauritian Futsal Cup.  Not only did the team shed the word "underdog" from their name, they also shed their underdog status and progressed to the finals.  On their way to the finals, Club Maurice defeated The Replacements 1-0 in the qualification round.

Club Maurice defeat The Replacements 1-0 in the qualifying round

As fate would have it, Club Maurice faced The Replacements again in the finals.  However, Club Maurice were unable to defeat The Replacements in the finals and narrowly lost 2-1.

The Replacements defeat Club Maurice in MFC 2010 finals

Club Maurice then participated in the Champions Cup 2010.  This time, their emerged at the top of their group in the qualifying round and once more, they made their way to the finals.  However, they were once again narrowly defeated 2-1 by The Replacements.

Having suffered defeated twice at the hands of The Replacements in a finals match, Club Maurice's fortune turned in the RMIT Soccer Challenge 2011.  They defeated The Replacements in their semi-finals match and went on win the tournament.

Having proved themselves as one of the "big four" teams in the MKS Melbourne tournaments, Club Maurice is coming to the MKS Melbourne Shield with some changes in its line-up.  With Kenny Lam and Teddy Choon unavailable, their line-up is as follows:

• Mervyn Lam (captain)
• Olliver Lim (vice-captain)
• Dean Lau
• Ken Low
• Kim Lam
• Kenny Choon
• Shane Chan

Kim Lam is a new recruit and Shane Chan is doubtful to make an appearance.  Club Maurice is not looking forward to playing any teams specifically in the tournament as they respect each and every team in the competition.  Instead, their are playing for the love of the game and looking to enjoy themselves.

Their aim is to make it as far as possible in the tournament.  With such accolades as the RMIT Soccer Challenge 2011 champions, twice runners-up in MKS Melbourne tournaments, and Melbourne Uni FNL Champions 2009-2010, emerging as the first champions of the MKS Melbourne Shield is definitely not an unattainable goal for Club Maurice.