match34: 14 Dec 08 vs. strong light-blue shirted team @ Yishun 2-2 draw

Before starting the match review proper, I would like to apologise to the team for the miscommunication between me and the organizer, which led to the match being ‘postponed’ to 11 o clock which of course without any doubt would have made implications to any personal scheduling of each and Everyone of you (if they were to prove very disruptive, I apologise again).

It was perhaps a very good day for football (minus the wet and muddy pitch), and the light rain that fell were definite signs telling of an interesting match ahead of us, bringing with it the enthusiasm and eager-ness of many of our players. We (ok so it was me) chose to play with a 4-4-2 formation, perhaps already complacent that our winning streak would not be challenged. What happened was I totally mis-calculated when I was reading /reciting the formation list, so I only realized that I haven’t assigned anyone to partner Dean in attack. So Firul was ushered in to this new role (with popular sentiment).

The first half didn’t go too well for us. The opponents were dominating the play and we had trouble containing them. The midfield was outplayed and soon the opponents managed to capitalize after some slack defending from a cross from our left flank. Unmarked near the far post they managed to zero in on a hanging ball over the heart of our defence, slotting it convincingly beyond the reach of Bei. The game was still young, and we were trailing 1-0. Truth was the midfield lost a little bit of its shape. We needed a little bit more of mobility in the heart of the midfield. We needed a more dynamic midfield to help do the unglamorous work in an unglamorous game, giving challenge to loose balls and perhaps unsettle the opposite number in the middle of the park. We needed to screen the defence and stop them short of running us ragged in the game early on as their midfield drove forward in numbers.

The team responded almost immediately with a couple of chances, one being Azman’s powerful shot from a lay off on the perimeter of the box, only to be parried away by the legs of the stationery stunned keeper (this proves you cant lobang a keeper with a stiff shot, but daisy cutters like Farhan’s goal two weeks ago or even Rafeeq’s many matches back should do the trick). Substitutions were made, and I operated as left back while Shafi was thrust to the left side of midfield.

Passions run high as we continued to make errors in the midst of oppositional pressure. The sinking feeling of defeat, though still a distinct possibility started to creep in, as the equalizer proved to be ever elusive, no more solid than the soggy mud that sinks beneath our feet.

Just then, some good link up up-front saw Dean almost breaking through the defence line, only to be un-ceremoniously brought down by a professional foul. The resulting free kick led to the equalizer after which Fazli’s shot dipped in just enough to hit the underside of the bar to go in. That was a lifeline, 1-1.

2nd Half.


Seeing how the opponent were not the least bit threatened in the middle of the park, we employed the midfield (me and Firul) to screen the defence and dog them for the ball. Firul did well and for the first time in the match, their midfield had to work to impose their midfield influence, with much credit on their behalf to be given to their big lanky central midfielder, Firdaus.

Like an uppercut to the chin, out of nowhere perhaps, a penalty was awarded against a Fazli sliding tackle. It sure was a spectacular tackle, but the decision in part has to be made owing credit to the seemingly exaggeration of the whole incident. The official’s decisions are final, and these are just part and parcel of the game, contributing to the general unpredictability that is inescapable in every match.

Bei couldn’t keep the shot out and so it was again, back to square one – trailing by a goal. I was a little disappointed, that though we managed to claw our way back into the game, a stroke of good luck on the opponents behalf made things difficult for us, especially considering the number of late, hard tackles that were being flown around by the men in blue. Omar and Farhan each got the full brunt of their physical assault, without any penalty other than free kicks warded against to the opponents.

It sure was difficult, but the team was playing better in the 2nd half and we showed resilience, persistence, and perseverance that was embodied by the manner of our equalizing goal. From the left Shafi dogged their right flank beating three opposing players to the ball before executing a turning shot ala ‘Ruud Van-Naseer’, effectively steering the ball to the sweet spot of the top right corner of the goal, much to the delight of the team.

The game became more open and Shafi’s equalizer injected new vigour into all players, wearing red or blue, to go for the killer goal to end the tie. This neither team did, and in the end it was a match well played, thrilling to the very end. A commendable effort by the team to extend the unbeaten streak, however unlikely it may seem at many points of time in the match.


PS: dont you guys just love Mus' captions on every picture? what a real talent.. lol

Bay (GK)

Shahid - Fazli - Akim - Karim

Omar - Azman - Farhan - Rafeeq

Syaifudean - Firul

Subs:
Es
Shafi
Rahman

Scorers:
Fazli
Shafi

p34 w11 d8 l15 f76 a97

Preparing for action... like real


Pictures taken under the good ol' umbrella


That's me.. (not 14)


See what see, go and play la!


Omar's game was cut short to injury


Now we know Rafeeq's sexual tendency...


Bay isn't happy with Rahman, he thinks Rahman should play GK


Es looks at Rahman and agrees with Bay


Karim thinks he can be a coach. Pegi-da! (Malay joke)


Farhan endless running today

Rahman - Reviewer
Akim - Uploader
Shyairah - Team Photos/Pictures
Huda/Shyairah - Debt collector