match43: 8 Feb 09 vs. Pioneer Logistics @ Kent Ridge Sec 2-1 win

Wilson (GK)

Shahid - Azmi - Imran - Firul

Fazli - Helmi - Azhari - Kelvin

Farhan - Khairul

Subs:
Akim
Rahman
Azman
Hidayat
Huang

Scorers:
Farhan
Huang

p43 w16 d9 l18 f95 a113

With much disappointment with the previous playing field over at Changkat Changi, it has to be said that the surface conditions of the Kent Ridge fields were pleasing, though the ‘squarish’ geometry of the pitch somewhat subdued our general sentiment towards it. The match started off not on the right note, perhaps due to the confrontational nature of some of the players in the opposition team. Early on in the match there was a minor scuffle between Kelvin and the no.27 gay (typo error, supposed to be ‘guy’) from the other team, whom later on in the game surfaced again the ugly side of himself which threatened to ruin the game (and in due to a large part of my lack of foresight and ill-temperament I suffered on that day, but hey, every week is a new learning experience ffor me).

The Pioneer Logistics team looked very bright and lively early on in the first half, and perhaps their youth showed in their attacking flair and ‘passion’, while their defence exudes a level of maturity and calm (though not necessarily effective). We matched them in almost all departments, and while still being early on in the game Farhan snatched a trademark ‘Farhan-esque’ goal after Mus, attacking the space from the left flank managed to bobble the ball towards Farhan whom slots it away from the wrong-footed keeper and into the goal. That goal perhaps made the game more open and chances come and go at both ends.

Azman appeared to be eager to break into the scoresheet, displaying a much more positive mentality, and moving into space. Though he showed the eagerness and hunger for the ball, solid safe goalkeeping deprived him of getting his name on the sidebar of our blog. In fact, our second goal goal came courtesy of good determined play along the centre, with Azman flicking the ball past the defence which a predatory Huang, whom terrorized the defence with his persistence and pace drifting in to the right side of our attack, pounced on to put the ball past a dumbfound and still wrong-footed goalkeeper from the opposing team.

Our defence have been holding up rather well to thwart a majority of the opponents attack, but due to the size of the pitch, set pieces prove to be a key threat to any defence. This was proved to be true as diagonal pass cum shot from a free kick managed to sneak past another wrong-footed goalkeeper. This time unfortunately, it was Wilson’s turn.

The team held out well to defend the lead, though sometimes the defence were hanging on luck, but the truth to be told, the battle in midfield was key, and Helmi’s drive and endless running certainly helped the cause a great bit. Debutants Hidayat and Khairul both showed good promise both with an eye for goal, while proving to be good target men in the upper third. In defence, Imran proved to be a rock despite his small frame, giving no quarter in a game where he was simply difficult to beat.

Rahman - Reviewer
Shyairah - Team Pictures/Videos/Debt collector