Match report : By Rahman
With the sun directly above our heads, both teams knew they were to be facing not only each other, but also the scorching heat in the 11o'clock match. Our team started off brightly, having open chances, Karim at one point pouncing on a loose ball but the keeper did just enough to help on the ball to the crossbar and over.
I made a mistake in the middle of the park, and the opponent launched a swift counter attack to open the scoring. The first goal was a mistake on my part. They should never had scored. From then on it was fair game, and the game was even on both ends. However, their strong pacy yet not technically adept left midfielder gave us a few problems, and shahid and i were finding difficulty in containing him. It looked at one point where he could put his hands over us and we couldnt do so as the referee had already gave me a warning for doing so. In one particular struggle on the right side, he managed to swing in a cross and a miscue by our centre back azmi caused the ball to hit him on the arm, resulting a penalty. Untimely and harsh penalty to concede, but it was a clearcut decision. They converted
Morale was going down, and we seemed to be worn off. Come half time, we had a team chat, and the clear favourite choice of tactic for our team when the chips were down was to play a five man midfield. I was to switch from the right flank to play striker up front alone. The second half started with the momentum on their side. We were under attack most of the time, and it was only during the second half of the half that we managed to spring out attacks of our own. I tried to help out the team with head-downs and anticipation play to at least trouble their defence. It worked.
Azhari put in a battling display in midfield and was a key player in all areas. Fazli stopped the gaps and played better in the second half. Mustaqium brought the ball out from the defence numerous times. Huang made a lot of runs, though his control of the ball seems lacking. we gave a spirited performance to at least grab a goal. The only chance i had so far was from a corner by Azhari. Weaving through the defence, i finally had a try at goal. Getting in front of the big centreback, i stuck out my head to nick the cross before he gets to it. I got the ball but it went high and wide. I wasnt disapoointed, because it was only a half-chance.
With only minutes to go, i anticipated a loose ball in the penalty area after a good play by azhari from the right side. I managed to latch on the ball, before any of their scattered defenders could react. I knew the defender from behind was going to put in a challenge so i pushed the ball further from him, and shaped to shoot. Before i knew it, i was cut down in the area, yet the ball was like a yard away from me or the challenging defender. I suffered a cramp, but that was okay. We had earned a penalty, because the challenge was made illegally. The tackle was late and he was nowhere near the ball. However, my joy turned to disappointment as i heard the referee shout "PLAY!". That was unfair.
In the dying minutes i had another good chance, but i was slow in reacting and a defender closed me down. The cutback from azhari was good, but i could manage only to put the ball over the bar in a disappointing effort. That was the final moment of the game, and in what was a disappointing result. As a team, however, we are beginning to grow.
With the sun directly above our heads, both teams knew they were to be facing not only each other, but also the scorching heat in the 11o'clock match. Our team started off brightly, having open chances, Karim at one point pouncing on a loose ball but the keeper did just enough to help on the ball to the crossbar and over.
I made a mistake in the middle of the park, and the opponent launched a swift counter attack to open the scoring. The first goal was a mistake on my part. They should never had scored. From then on it was fair game, and the game was even on both ends. However, their strong pacy yet not technically adept left midfielder gave us a few problems, and shahid and i were finding difficulty in containing him. It looked at one point where he could put his hands over us and we couldnt do so as the referee had already gave me a warning for doing so. In one particular struggle on the right side, he managed to swing in a cross and a miscue by our centre back azmi caused the ball to hit him on the arm, resulting a penalty. Untimely and harsh penalty to concede, but it was a clearcut decision. They converted
Morale was going down, and we seemed to be worn off. Come half time, we had a team chat, and the clear favourite choice of tactic for our team when the chips were down was to play a five man midfield. I was to switch from the right flank to play striker up front alone. The second half started with the momentum on their side. We were under attack most of the time, and it was only during the second half of the half that we managed to spring out attacks of our own. I tried to help out the team with head-downs and anticipation play to at least trouble their defence. It worked.
Azhari put in a battling display in midfield and was a key player in all areas. Fazli stopped the gaps and played better in the second half. Mustaqium brought the ball out from the defence numerous times. Huang made a lot of runs, though his control of the ball seems lacking. we gave a spirited performance to at least grab a goal. The only chance i had so far was from a corner by Azhari. Weaving through the defence, i finally had a try at goal. Getting in front of the big centreback, i stuck out my head to nick the cross before he gets to it. I got the ball but it went high and wide. I wasnt disapoointed, because it was only a half-chance.
With only minutes to go, i anticipated a loose ball in the penalty area after a good play by azhari from the right side. I managed to latch on the ball, before any of their scattered defenders could react. I knew the defender from behind was going to put in a challenge so i pushed the ball further from him, and shaped to shoot. Before i knew it, i was cut down in the area, yet the ball was like a yard away from me or the challenging defender. I suffered a cramp, but that was okay. We had earned a penalty, because the challenge was made illegally. The tackle was late and he was nowhere near the ball. However, my joy turned to disappointment as i heard the referee shout "PLAY!". That was unfair.
In the dying minutes i had another good chance, but i was slow in reacting and a defender closed me down. The cutback from azhari was good, but i could manage only to put the ball over the bar in a disappointing effort. That was the final moment of the game, and in what was a disappointing result. As a team, however, we are beginning to grow.