match39: 4 Jan 09 vs. red shirted Malay team @ Tampines Mango 0-4 loss

Wilson (GK)

Shahid - Akim - Fazli - Firul

Omar - Azhari - Rahman - Shafi

Khairi - Huang

Subs:
Es
Rafeeq
Farhan
Azman
Helmi
Kelvin
Dean
Syafiq

p39 w12 d9 l18 f81 a109

This game marks the first game of the year, and the players were eager to start off the brand new year with ALL GUNS ABLAZING, 'GUNG HO'-LIKE, ACTION-PACKED, SWASHBUCKLING STYLE. We had the depth and strength on paper to actually do so - fielding an impressive 18 players on that day, and perhaps the strongest eleven (or rather 18) shy of Johaire, Azmi, and Amin, whom did not make it on that day.

We started the game fully confident, with the memories of the 2-1 comeback impossible victory on the same pitch just the week before fresh on our heads, though some of the 'packed-to-the-brim' confidence could have subsided just by a bit owing to the sight of the impressive opponents whom seemed to be an organised, disciplined lot, completed by the presence of their coach at the side of the field.

We had our plans. Ok so we dont have a plan. But we had a goal. To win the opening match of the year, but how we want to go by achieving it, no one had any real idea. In the first half of the game, our attack and midfield at times looked a little lost. We were trying to play our game, using a few of our key players (ok by now you guys must have some inkling of an idea who) to actually step up and deliver for the team. However hard we tried in the first half of the game, we kept losing the challenges, and many times fall prey to their swift attacking movement that involves a lot of passing of the ball. Lack of concentration and focus robbed us to award the opponent two opportunistic goals that in an instant shattered our self-belief of turning the game around.

We tried our usual gameplay to demonstrate some tricks, but it appears that it was not only us whom can do some trickery on the ball. The Hard, bumpy, potholed-laden pitch as could have been sworn by some players on that day, seemed to have a life of its own. Its the Zinedine Zidane of the day, many times tricking the players (most of whom Kambing Fc players) with mischief only the devil himself could muster.

FAzli showed in one nerve-wrecking instant how difficult it was to control such a ball played on the ground where it could have arguably gifted the opponents a goal, while it robbed us of a goal where in an all too often moment of magic at PADANG MANGOsteen the ball travelled a trajectory that defies the laws of Physics to wrong foot Dean preventing him from smashing in a cut-back after some superb play by our forward Kelvin. Albert Einstein, had he seen the incident, would surely have gone back to the drawing board (wherever it was) to ponder and think of a theory to explain just how could it happen with as much haste, provided that he did not trip and fall on one of the many potholes of the Good 'ol Padang Mango. Maybe the pitch was bombarded by the Japanese during the WW2 for being so F**!#)#$@%$^^$%#&#^%&#^&%%^$%!#@$!#@$!@#$%!#$^$%&%^*%^*&(*)()*^&*#^&-ed up. That explains the potholes.

There were not many incidents of note, unless you guys want a review of glaring errors by the team (at least two/or three of which could have contributed to goals against), but lets take heart from this performance that it has a few positives to put forth to the team.

First of all, I would like to commend on the performance Helmi had put in for the team that day. Never giving up for the cause no matter how dire it may be, and therefore it was inconceivable to not have him nominated for the 'hot player of the week'. Khairi made his debut performance for the team, and impressed with his on-the-field presence and clear headed-ness when on the ball.

But in all, though it was disappointing not to have won or even draw the tie, everyone had a good game and there was no bitter-ness felt at losing, not to mention the diffusing of high tension incidents that could have so easily turn it all to an ugly match, an observation seen from even the last game. It was a match lost fair and the opponents too had been a good sport. Perhaps that is more important. Celebrating the sportsmanship of the players in the beautiful game.

Rahman - Reviewer
Rahman & Shyairah - Team Pictures/Videos
Syairah & Huda - Debt collector