match30: 9 Nov 08 vs. Fushan FC @ Singapore Poly 5-1 win

Wilson (GK)

Rahman - Azmi - Akim - Shafi

Omar - Azhari - Azman - Amin - Farhan

Syaifudean

Subs:
Rafeeq
Kelvin

Scorers:
Farhan x3
Syaifudean
Rafeeq

p30 w8 d7 l15 f64 a92

Three things to note before you read this. First, congrats to us for reaching 30 rounds of eventful, some memorable (off-hand I can only think of one or two) as well as some-to-forget-but-cannot-forget games (I sure had plenty of the latter). Second, do not read too much into the scoreline. Third, Farhan's hat-trick meant it was the 1st time anyone has scored 3 goals or more since Shaifudean on 1 June 08, match 15. Well done!

I was still feeling the effects of my sickness in the past week, so I told Rahman that I will start as sub. But when Rahman 'casually' asked me, "Hey, who you think should play central defender?" and I looked around, there was no real alternative, was there. (Farhan did give me the middle finger for suggesting he play there :-) I was fortunate of course to have the ever-reliable Azmi alongside me and with our dangerous full-backs always full of dynamite in their pockets, whom can implode (a couple of occasions today) or explode (they did well to overlap), together with a very strong midfield and attack, we had a good chance to extend our winning streak.



It helped that we had that early goal. After some nifty work from the right, no surprises coming from who (Omar, if you still can't figure out), the ball found its way to Farhan who struck home with aplomb.

For the rest of the 1st half, we proceeded to dominate but we were simply not able to put the finishing touch from built-up plays, something we should really work on; those one-two's in and around the penalty box, those small triange passes involving 3 players etc. because we know we have the players to do that.



It was still a comfortable finish to the 1st half but their offence started to get forward a little more often than I wanted towards the end, more than a tad unnecessarily perhaps, as our midfield slacked off after putting only less than half-hearted challenges.

At half-time, I felt a giddiness spell but nothing serious to really be concerned with. I was concerned however that we did not add to our tally, and I tried to get that message across to kill off the game before we give away a goal and gave the initiative and encouragement to the opponents. Winning is not everything but there have been too many games that I suffered when we lost our lead after slacking off before eventually succumbing, if not drawing at most.



The 2nd half begin with the same team that ended the 1st half and may have partially help to let us build on our momentum, Shaifudean scored a scorcher from the right that went well past the opponents' GK, but it was the move that is to be noted. It was similar to our goal last week, simple passes down the right flank, one-two-three passes and a powerful run from our main striker with the finish. Well-played. The early 2nd goal also meant we could play our own game which we did to full effect.

Rafeeq then got his name on the scoresheet. After an unconvincing clearance from the opponents, the ball dropped tantalizingly for anyone to take a brilliant lob, Rafeeq it was who took it, though it was into a virtually empty net as the opponent's GK was caught on the wrong side of the post.



Farhan then dazzled his way from the left flank after again some good work on the right and when running through for a clear run at goal, there was no denying his power and pace as he slotted the ball home out of the GK's reach. With the goal, he equalled me as the team's top goalscorer.

Our opponents did well to punish us though as we switched off completely when they scored their solitary goal. Take nothing away from the finish, it was of the highest quality, a shot at the extreme corner of the roof of the net. Yet our team were really complacent when another clean sheet, only Wilson's 3rd, had seemed inevitable.



But Farhan completed his hat-trick and took over my top goalscorer's position for the team after another similar finish as his 2nd goal, our opponents simply could not deal with his power and pace.

Remember the 2nd point to note earlier? Despite the result, it was nice to have played such a calm, non-pressure and friendliest of friendly matches with such an opponents. There would definitely be some degree of negativity at such a lopsided scoreline but at the heart of it, both teams were simply having fun, playing our own game, or at least trying to, however steep the learning curve is. For us, it was a good chance to play possession football and to practice those short passes, with return passes as well. We did extremely well today based on that though the field could have been a little less waterlogged so that the ball did not get stuck. Our opponents meanwhile still had smiles on their faces and kept their heads up, something we have experienced before, and they were still communicating and encouraging one another despite suffering the various setbacks. Good game guys!

Akim