Scorer
Kelvin
Man Of The Match
Kelvin (7) - played well on the wings and caused problems for opponent left-back. tracked back to defend, outstanding work-rate and tireless running, deserved his beautiful goal
Akim (5) - worked hard in defence to overcome winger and cover centre-backs, active all over the field, willing to make aerial challenges
Farhan (2) - created a couple of chances and denied by a bad offside call
Rashid (2) - put in great challenges and good in going forward, added immense versatility in his first time out as full-back for KFC
Yellow card:
Farhan 2nd half
Yazier (GK)
Akim - Calvin - Amin (d) - Rashid
Muhammad - Rahman - Azhari
Omar - Farhan - Kelvin
Subs:
Shafi
Azman
Helmi
Huang
Rafeeq
This match started late after the referee thought the game started at 5pm. A replacement referee eventually came almost an hour later at 4pm. KFC locked horns with Ultras for the 3rd time, this time a step higher in Division 3. In an entertaining match at Meridian JC last June, my mistake almost in the last minute of the match allowed Ultras to steal a 2-2 draw despite us taking a 2-0 lead going into half-time. In the return match, we lost 1-4 despite taking an early lead.
On a field we lost last time around, there is again to be no such breakthrough. Given our recent run of results including a loss in our 1st league game 2 weeks ago, I was still in belligerent mood for this 2nd league game. Ultras proved yet again they are a physical team but KFC were up for the challenge despite our obvious smaller size and stature.
We got the early going, taking a lot of the initiative going forward. Farhan was deployed as our lone striker in a strategic change, as we hope his ability to hold the ball and weave in and around the defence may finally give us the clinical touch in front of goal that has been sorely lacking for a while. Ultras made their aggression felt leading to one near fracas involving myself and the left winger who clearly had launched a late tackle but was not apologetic about it. We still lacked the cutting edge in front of goal as Farhan struggled to get into the game as he was marked out by the defenders. He would later request that more balls be given to him on the ground rather than from the air, which is obvious as Farhan is comfortable with the ball at his feet but ultimately, we failed to provide the decent service he craved.
Our opponents took the lead somewhat against the run of play with a free-kick that was questionably legal. After consulting with the referee that the kick will be taken upon the whistle, the opponents indeed converted it before the whistle was blown but our appeal was waved off. I took no part in the appeal though, reflecting instead on the disappointing manner we conceded the free-kick. Initially, we could have closed down the opponents much more swiftly but our defence struggled with that. The goal that was scored was ultimately a soft one but even before, the damage was done.
When Rafeeq came on, he was immediately provided a glorious chance to put our side level. Rashid, in his first outing as a full-back, overlapped on numerous chances and had a shot at goal as well.
But another Ultras long punt from deep in their half caught our defence yet again, for the 3rd game running. Our gameplan before the game was for the defence to clear away those balls at the first instance. But miscommunication between Calvin and Yazier allowed their striker to nip in between to latch onto the punt as his delicate chip sailed into goal.
I almost pulled a goal back for us, after overlapping deep in an inspired moment of brilliance, as I played a quick 1-2 with Helmi on the edge of the penalty box. My first time toe-poke shot though was just wide.
At half-time, we were still feeling good. Reshuffling our team, we knew we had to get an early goal. There was to be no such fairytale comeback. Ultras were dangerous going forward and while we were still creating chances, there was an inevitable feel that it was not going to be our day. We kept on pressing though and that was the determination I like to see from KFC. Knowing that we still played well and able to punch above our weight. Kelvin's goal from range, a brilliant snap shot, late in the 2nd half, provided much cheer but despite our usual late rally, we were unable to claw our way back in.
Our team in D2D league
Rest of results
Akim
On a field we lost last time around, there is again to be no such breakthrough. Given our recent run of results including a loss in our 1st league game 2 weeks ago, I was still in belligerent mood for this 2nd league game. Ultras proved yet again they are a physical team but KFC were up for the challenge despite our obvious smaller size and stature.
We got the early going, taking a lot of the initiative going forward. Farhan was deployed as our lone striker in a strategic change, as we hope his ability to hold the ball and weave in and around the defence may finally give us the clinical touch in front of goal that has been sorely lacking for a while. Ultras made their aggression felt leading to one near fracas involving myself and the left winger who clearly had launched a late tackle but was not apologetic about it. We still lacked the cutting edge in front of goal as Farhan struggled to get into the game as he was marked out by the defenders. He would later request that more balls be given to him on the ground rather than from the air, which is obvious as Farhan is comfortable with the ball at his feet but ultimately, we failed to provide the decent service he craved.
Our opponents took the lead somewhat against the run of play with a free-kick that was questionably legal. After consulting with the referee that the kick will be taken upon the whistle, the opponents indeed converted it before the whistle was blown but our appeal was waved off. I took no part in the appeal though, reflecting instead on the disappointing manner we conceded the free-kick. Initially, we could have closed down the opponents much more swiftly but our defence struggled with that. The goal that was scored was ultimately a soft one but even before, the damage was done.
When Rafeeq came on, he was immediately provided a glorious chance to put our side level. Rashid, in his first outing as a full-back, overlapped on numerous chances and had a shot at goal as well.
But another Ultras long punt from deep in their half caught our defence yet again, for the 3rd game running. Our gameplan before the game was for the defence to clear away those balls at the first instance. But miscommunication between Calvin and Yazier allowed their striker to nip in between to latch onto the punt as his delicate chip sailed into goal.
I almost pulled a goal back for us, after overlapping deep in an inspired moment of brilliance, as I played a quick 1-2 with Helmi on the edge of the penalty box. My first time toe-poke shot though was just wide.
At half-time, we were still feeling good. Reshuffling our team, we knew we had to get an early goal. There was to be no such fairytale comeback. Ultras were dangerous going forward and while we were still creating chances, there was an inevitable feel that it was not going to be our day. We kept on pressing though and that was the determination I like to see from KFC. Knowing that we still played well and able to punch above our weight. Kelvin's goal from range, a brilliant snap shot, late in the 2nd half, provided much cheer but despite our usual late rally, we were unable to claw our way back in.
Our team in D2D league
Rest of results
Akim