Shafi - Akim - Halif - Karim
Rafeeq - Rahman - Azhari - Farhan - Syafiq
Farouq
Subs:
Shafik - LB
Azman - CM
Kelvin - CM
Huang - Str
scorers:
rafeeq
huang
p17 w3 d3 l11 f31 a64
What a waste. After taking the lead and managing to equalize we fell 4-2 to a not so good team. Despite that, we stumbled across a formula that may just form the basis of our future tactics given the players we have at our disposal.
Rafeeq scored a fluke free-kick early on and we were staring at another victory. Defending nervously given a new defensive pairing, we managed to hold them back. But when they got their equalizing goal, it was a shame that it was one that could have been avoided. Minutes later just before half-time, ditto. They scored again for a 2-1 lead.
2nd half began. I had already instructed our central midfielders to spray long passes either out wide or through Huang in the center. It paid dividends almost immediately. Huang getting to the end of a great Azhari pass through the middle to equalize for our team.
However, the same tactic did not resurface again, try as I might to get them try again. When the 3rd goal came, the defence was made to pay for the lack of support from the midfielders, when the striker struck well from outside the box that Wilson got a hand to but it was still not enough as the ball landed in the net.
As we again searched for the equalizer, we played our 1st half game again to no effect. When the opponents delivered a classic counter attack goal, we were down 4-2. That seemed to galvanise us as we continued playing football. Using the same tactics that got us our 2nd goal, we were pumping crosses from left and right and from corners too, one of which eluded everyone. Despite the lack of killer instinct, it augurs well that we can troubled the defence with this new piece of strategy especially given the pacy wingers we have.
However, we are still dilly-dallying on the ball too much. A quick return pass is what each player should strive for. The defence is alright but the midfield should support too. I look forward to rebound from two successive defeats next week.
akim