Oak Ridge native serving overseas: Soldiers compete in soccer exhibition

Kosovo Force (KFOR)

By Sgt. Joshua Stoffregen

FERIZAJ, Kosovo—Soldiers from Multinational Battle Group-East participated in an exhibition soccer match against members from the Kosovo Security Forces in Ferizaj, Dec. 20.

“We just had a friendly soccer match with the KSF at the Training and Doctrine Compound,” said U.S. Army Capt. Robert Schaffling, a staff officer with MNBG-E and a native of Philadelphia. “It was a (sociable) game of soccer, us versus them.”

Schaffling said that it was a good way to collaborate with the KSF and have a little fun instead of working all the time.

MNBG-E Headquarters and Headquarters Company organized the match as a morale building exercise, but due to scheduling conflicts and weather delays, it took roughly two months for the match to take place.

“The purpose was to come out and show our support for the KSF, not just in missions, but in morale too,” said U.S. Army Spc. Devin Chae, a signal soldier with HHC.

Despite his reservations, Chae said he volunteered to play goalie because he played the position with his last unit.

“I had the time of my life,” said Chae, an Oak Ridge native. ”I was a little nervous before I actually made the decision to come out. I was afraid I wouldn’t be as good or unable to pick it back up, but I came out and said let’s just have fun and see what happens.”

Chae said that though he let a few goals past him, he kept focused on why they were there for the match: to have fun.

“It was very exciting and interesting, much more because we have a good dialogue and friendship with them,” said Sgt. Dengiz Edreneli, member of the KSF. “It would be good to make it a regular meeting, because it can assist our level of dialogue and help increase our friendship.”

Edreneli said the score was close, 4 to 2, and maybe next time the MNBG-E team may win.

Schaffling said currently there are no other games scheduled, but if there were, he would definitely be game to play.

“I was really proud of (our team), especially our goalie Spc. Chae,” Schaffling said. “He came up with a lot of big saves for us.”

Schaffling felt they did really well for a group of guys who don’t play often together aside from a few pick-up games on Camp Bondsteel. He said they really came together and played well by figuring out who had strong sides on offense and defense, and used that to their advantage.

“Physical fitness is a big part of our army and (for) the KSF,” said Schaffling. “We got to come out here, match up together and see how we do. It was a really good time.”

See original story here.