Scorers (assists)
Muhammad (Kelvin)
Akim (Fazli)
Man Of The Match
Akim (9) - great display in midfield with match winning goal
Danial (1)
Helmi (1) - perhaps the most dangerous KFC player on the field
Rahman (1) - vital cog in defence midfield, protected the backline well
Rashid (1)
Yellow card:
-
Danial (GK)
Shafi - Amin (d) - Rashid - Fazli
Kelvin - Rahman - Akim - Helmi
Muhammad
Farhan
Subs:
Mubarak
Azman
Azhari
Huang
D2D Sunday League Cup Group Stage Rd 1 Preview
Rest of results
Our team in D2D league and D2D Sunday League Cup
KFC worked hard for a deserved victory in our final match of the D2D Sunday League Cup Group Stage. Yet, it could have been a much more comfortable victory had we made it tougher for our opponents, both on the field (Casanova XI) and off it (FC Tempastella in our group, and on an extended but crucial extent, to the teams in the other groups). On the field, we had numerous chances to kill off the game throughout the match but we did not. Off it, we could have put pressure on FC Tempastella and those other teams but we did not. We made it tougher on ourselves instead and the destiny of the group no longer lies in our hands.
I will now give my take on our qualification chances for the next round. With 12 groups in the competition, only the 12 group winners have automatic spots for the 2nd round. The four best runner-ups among the 12 groups will round up the 2nd round line-up. After our 2-1 victory against Casanova XI, we now have four points with a +1 goal difference. FC Tempastella therefore goes into their final group tie against Casanova XI needing only to win with a 2 goal margin to be the group winner and take the automatic spot. Our place in the next round then hinges on being among four 2nd best placed teams.
The permutation is a little complex at first-hand look. Speaking from a group winner spot point of view, Casanova XI must hold FC Tempastella to a draw at least. However, from what I understand, either a 1-0 or 2-1 victory for FC Tempastella will also mean we win the group. The former being on account that we scored more goals and the latter by virtue of being the lower placed team given a head-to-head with FC Tempastella who are in Division 2.
As for clinching one of the four best runner-ups spots, at the moment, there are 6 other groups we have to look at namely Group A, Group C, Group E, Group F, Group G and Group I, meaning we have a 1-in-7 chance.
I quote from para 3 here. "To level the competition; in a situation where the best 4 runners-up have the same points, goal difference and goal scored, the team with the lower placing in the league will progress to the next round. This also means that if both teams are from the same division, the team that is lower placed than the other will move on. D2D hopes that lower-placed teams either in placing or divisions would strive to compete with higher-placed teams in this League Cup tournament."
The other 6 groups have the teams that can match our 4 points. The goal difference is tricky. We only have +1. As for goals scored, we have six. What it likely boils down to is the goals difference factor. Thus, raising the issue I had when we did not secure the comfortable victory I spoke of earlier. Now, with that tedious reading out of the way, let us get back onto the proper match review.
We started with a strong team that could take on the world. Muhammad returned after a week's absence as a withdrawn striker to partner Farhan up front. Kelvin and Helmi, who himself came back into the team after a long absence, hogged the flanks. Rahman and I reprised our roles from last week's match in central midfield. In the absence of Calvin, Amin (d) returned from injury too, to partner Rashid in central defence with Shafi and Fazli taking up the full-back positions. Danial started in goal on the pitch he made his debut for KFC two weeks ago.
We got off to a flier from the word 'go'. I had the first chance of the match with a snap shot from outside the box that sailed over the bar. We then took an early lead. A loose ball fell to me outside the penalty box and I passed it to Farhan who controlled it well to release a clever pass inside the right side of the penalty box for Kelvin, who had made a good run to overlap the left-back opponent. Kelvin's cross, while questionable, was teasing enough to sail over all but one. Muhammad, who had made a good surging run of his own, ghosted in to receive the cross with his header. This was Muhammad's 2nd goal in the competition. While the back of my mind was always thinking how many goals we need to score to ensure qualification, the front of my mind was thinking that we should seize the opportunity in this game to play the better football and learnt to keep possession as best as we could. We succeeded on both counts to a certain extent but not without its difficult moments as Casanova XI gradually crept back into the game.
Farhan had his first chance of the match minutes after our goal but he could only contrived to shoot straight at the GK. A moment of brilliant play from our left flank saw Helmi, probably our most dangerous player in the game, cutting back a low cross for me just outside the box but my left-footed shot curled away just as it looks like it was going in. Complacency then set into our game even as we continued firing a few more shots. We were rushing our possession and our substitutes suffered for it as they got caught in a strong momentum which the opponents were building up. Even so, Danial was having a picnic in goal as we eased off into half-time with the lead.
The second half began with Fazli taking on the injured Amin (d)'s place in central defence. The unfortunate Amin (d) suffered a recurrence of his ankle injury just before half-time and it is likely he will miss next week's game. Fazli then gave us a scare as he crumbled down in agony with Muhammad also laid down some distance away with a recurrence of his injury. Fazli managed to stay on his feet but Muhammad took a rest. Fazli would endure another clash later, in an off-the-ball incident with the walking-on-tightrope left-winger opponent, which saw Shafi bandying words with him for the second time in the match after an earlier incident. That late challenge resulted in a yellow card to the opponent. But Fazli impressed us all with his determination to play the decisive part in the winning goal and eventually finished the game. Muhammad, however, looks to be a serious doubt for our future games.
The physical nature of the second half never spilled over unceremoniously and it was good football by both teams that set the tone of the match instead. Casanova XI battered us deep in our penalty box but the shots were blocked, if not shot wide. We had our chances at the other end too as Farhan struck the upright while Kelvin, the ever-impressive Huang and diminutive Helmi all sniffed at goal too. The possession this time around was much better as we dictated the pace of the game at times and slowed down instead of rushing headlong into the opponent's half, even if at sporadic intervals.
Yet, Casanova XI were rewarded for their perseverance and punished us for our complacency when they snag the equalizer. A lapse of concentration saw them broke through on the right flank. The cross at the near post was met by the striker who finished cooly to make it 1-1.
There was still plenty of time left for us though. Helmi, having started the second half in Muhammad's place, gave us the edge we needed in attack. Farhan, at left-winger, combined well with him and were at the heart of most of our attack in that half. Azhari, Huang and Kelvin provided useful foils for us too, as we made use of the right side of the pitch. Rahman was also a crucial cog as the midfield destroyer that even I hesitated to replace him when it was time to do so.
But I would like to think the move paid dividends when I combined with Fazli, and some say I made amends for my earlier miss, when his long throw into the box bounced over the last defender and my header past the incoming GK proved to be the winner. It is worth mentioning that it was fortunate Fazli managed to stay on the pitch and this is also the second time, to the best of my memory, that we have combined to score a similar goal. On to league action next week, then. The 5 match unbeaten run before last week's loss has served us a timely reminder that we can turn it on when we want to. However, it is the good showing from the last two games that has impressed me more. This last win is our 1st for the new year. So... Let's keep it up, guys.
Akim
Kambing FC returned to action in a Cup match against Casanova XI. KFC players were raring to go as a big win against the opponents will virtually guarantee qualification to the knock out rounds. Many KFC players were also confident due to the fact that Casanova XI were languishing in last place in Div 4.
KFC welcomed back Muhammad, who returned from injury, to partner top scorer Farhan in attack. True to form, KFC started brightly as Casanova XI struggled to come to terms with KFC’s early vigour. An early raid down the right saw Akim exchanging passes with Farhan, who executed a defence splitting pass to release Kelvin, who then provided a cross from which Muhammad met with a header after making a superb run into the box. Casa’s keeper was out of position and was unable to react in time to keep the ball out of the net. KFC were now leading 1-0 after probably the fastest goal scored in the team’s history. The down side of scoring such an early goal is that the leading team might tend to become more relax and try to protect the lead and KFC were unable to escape from such a mindset.
Casanova XI, benefitting from KFC’s careless plays began pouring forward, testing KFC’s backline time and again with some intelligent and skilful play. Fortunately, KFC’s defence, led by Amin and Rashid, and flanked by Fazli and Shafi held firm. Akim and Rahman were tenaciously rampaging around midfield, covering for the defence. Helmi was having an epic duel with Casa’s strong left back in a contest which I felt the KFC winger edged.
Danial’s long and powerful goal kicks were also proving to be an excellent weapon for KFC as evident in one instant whereby a long punt up the field by Danial found Farhan, whose shot was saved by Casa’s custodian. After surviving the barrage of attacks from Casanova, KFC, helped by the introduction of Azman, Azhari, Huang and Mubarak, began to feel their way back into the game. One good play down the left saw Helmi sprinting to the byeline before cutting the ball back to Akim, who unfortunately dragged his left footed shot wide. Amin, who had been impressive with his reading of the game up to this point, was injured in a clash of 3 players and had to be substituted, creating a major problem as only Rashid, Fazli and Akim could play at centre back. KFC went into the break holding a slender 1-0 and realizing that they will have to work extra hard to come out with a win.
The 2nd half started with KFC controlling the match, trying to build the attacks up slowly before looking for obvious openings. However, Casa’s counter attacking play meant that KFC’s defence had to be alert. Rashid, buoyed by his coffee break at half time was now an immense presence in KFC’s defence as he and his fellow defenders held on valiantly against Casa’s forwards. It was not long into the 2nd half that KFC had two players down injured on the ground simultaneously. Fazli managed to shake off his injury and continue playing but Muhammad was substituted and replaced by Kelvin.
Farhan and Helmi were now providing KFC’s attacking impetus, as with their speed and guile, they combined to penetrate Casa’s defence repeatedly. With better finishing, KFC would have been able to rack up quite a big scoreline by now. However, Casanova’s counter attacking play finally paid off as a lightning raid down KFC’s left flank saw the ball break loose the their striker who finished coolly despite Danial’s best efforts. KFC were shaken and it suddenly seemed that qualification to the knock out round might not be possible afterall. As the match progressed, Casanova’s left winger caught Fazli with a studs up late challenge. This incident brought some ugly scenes to the match as tempers flared. Although hurt, Fazli bravely played on and one of his long throws, an extremely useful weapon for KFC, late in the match saw the ball arrive in Casa’s penalty area where Akim bravely headed home to secure victory for KFC.
Overall it was a much more challenging match then many would have expected as Casa showed that their ability belies their league position. Also it was a match where KFC suffered heavy casualties as Amin(d), Azhari, Azman, Fazli and Muhammad all sustained some form of injury during the course of the game. KFC can now look to return to league action and fingers crossed, we will hopefully qualify for the knockout rounds.
Kelvin
Rest of results
Our team in D2D league and D2D Sunday League Cup
KFC worked hard for a deserved victory in our final match of the D2D Sunday League Cup Group Stage. Yet, it could have been a much more comfortable victory had we made it tougher for our opponents, both on the field (Casanova XI) and off it (FC Tempastella in our group, and on an extended but crucial extent, to the teams in the other groups). On the field, we had numerous chances to kill off the game throughout the match but we did not. Off it, we could have put pressure on FC Tempastella and those other teams but we did not. We made it tougher on ourselves instead and the destiny of the group no longer lies in our hands.
I will now give my take on our qualification chances for the next round. With 12 groups in the competition, only the 12 group winners have automatic spots for the 2nd round. The four best runner-ups among the 12 groups will round up the 2nd round line-up. After our 2-1 victory against Casanova XI, we now have four points with a +1 goal difference. FC Tempastella therefore goes into their final group tie against Casanova XI needing only to win with a 2 goal margin to be the group winner and take the automatic spot. Our place in the next round then hinges on being among four 2nd best placed teams.
The permutation is a little complex at first-hand look. Speaking from a group winner spot point of view, Casanova XI must hold FC Tempastella to a draw at least. However, from what I understand, either a 1-0 or 2-1 victory for FC Tempastella will also mean we win the group. The former being on account that we scored more goals and the latter by virtue of being the lower placed team given a head-to-head with FC Tempastella who are in Division 2.
As for clinching one of the four best runner-ups spots, at the moment, there are 6 other groups we have to look at namely Group A, Group C, Group E, Group F, Group G and Group I, meaning we have a 1-in-7 chance.
I quote from para 3 here. "To level the competition; in a situation where the best 4 runners-up have the same points, goal difference and goal scored, the team with the lower placing in the league will progress to the next round. This also means that if both teams are from the same division, the team that is lower placed than the other will move on. D2D hopes that lower-placed teams either in placing or divisions would strive to compete with higher-placed teams in this League Cup tournament."
The other 6 groups have the teams that can match our 4 points. The goal difference is tricky. We only have +1. As for goals scored, we have six. What it likely boils down to is the goals difference factor. Thus, raising the issue I had when we did not secure the comfortable victory I spoke of earlier. Now, with that tedious reading out of the way, let us get back onto the proper match review.
We started with a strong team that could take on the world. Muhammad returned after a week's absence as a withdrawn striker to partner Farhan up front. Kelvin and Helmi, who himself came back into the team after a long absence, hogged the flanks. Rahman and I reprised our roles from last week's match in central midfield. In the absence of Calvin, Amin (d) returned from injury too, to partner Rashid in central defence with Shafi and Fazli taking up the full-back positions. Danial started in goal on the pitch he made his debut for KFC two weeks ago.
We got off to a flier from the word 'go'. I had the first chance of the match with a snap shot from outside the box that sailed over the bar. We then took an early lead. A loose ball fell to me outside the penalty box and I passed it to Farhan who controlled it well to release a clever pass inside the right side of the penalty box for Kelvin, who had made a good run to overlap the left-back opponent. Kelvin's cross, while questionable, was teasing enough to sail over all but one. Muhammad, who had made a good surging run of his own, ghosted in to receive the cross with his header. This was Muhammad's 2nd goal in the competition. While the back of my mind was always thinking how many goals we need to score to ensure qualification, the front of my mind was thinking that we should seize the opportunity in this game to play the better football and learnt to keep possession as best as we could. We succeeded on both counts to a certain extent but not without its difficult moments as Casanova XI gradually crept back into the game.
Farhan had his first chance of the match minutes after our goal but he could only contrived to shoot straight at the GK. A moment of brilliant play from our left flank saw Helmi, probably our most dangerous player in the game, cutting back a low cross for me just outside the box but my left-footed shot curled away just as it looks like it was going in. Complacency then set into our game even as we continued firing a few more shots. We were rushing our possession and our substitutes suffered for it as they got caught in a strong momentum which the opponents were building up. Even so, Danial was having a picnic in goal as we eased off into half-time with the lead.
The second half began with Fazli taking on the injured Amin (d)'s place in central defence. The unfortunate Amin (d) suffered a recurrence of his ankle injury just before half-time and it is likely he will miss next week's game. Fazli then gave us a scare as he crumbled down in agony with Muhammad also laid down some distance away with a recurrence of his injury. Fazli managed to stay on his feet but Muhammad took a rest. Fazli would endure another clash later, in an off-the-ball incident with the walking-on-tightrope left-winger opponent, which saw Shafi bandying words with him for the second time in the match after an earlier incident. That late challenge resulted in a yellow card to the opponent. But Fazli impressed us all with his determination to play the decisive part in the winning goal and eventually finished the game. Muhammad, however, looks to be a serious doubt for our future games.
The physical nature of the second half never spilled over unceremoniously and it was good football by both teams that set the tone of the match instead. Casanova XI battered us deep in our penalty box but the shots were blocked, if not shot wide. We had our chances at the other end too as Farhan struck the upright while Kelvin, the ever-impressive Huang and diminutive Helmi all sniffed at goal too. The possession this time around was much better as we dictated the pace of the game at times and slowed down instead of rushing headlong into the opponent's half, even if at sporadic intervals.
Yet, Casanova XI were rewarded for their perseverance and punished us for our complacency when they snag the equalizer. A lapse of concentration saw them broke through on the right flank. The cross at the near post was met by the striker who finished cooly to make it 1-1.
There was still plenty of time left for us though. Helmi, having started the second half in Muhammad's place, gave us the edge we needed in attack. Farhan, at left-winger, combined well with him and were at the heart of most of our attack in that half. Azhari, Huang and Kelvin provided useful foils for us too, as we made use of the right side of the pitch. Rahman was also a crucial cog as the midfield destroyer that even I hesitated to replace him when it was time to do so.
But I would like to think the move paid dividends when I combined with Fazli, and some say I made amends for my earlier miss, when his long throw into the box bounced over the last defender and my header past the incoming GK proved to be the winner. It is worth mentioning that it was fortunate Fazli managed to stay on the pitch and this is also the second time, to the best of my memory, that we have combined to score a similar goal. On to league action next week, then. The 5 match unbeaten run before last week's loss has served us a timely reminder that we can turn it on when we want to. However, it is the good showing from the last two games that has impressed me more. This last win is our 1st for the new year. So... Let's keep it up, guys.
Akim
Kambing FC returned to action in a Cup match against Casanova XI. KFC players were raring to go as a big win against the opponents will virtually guarantee qualification to the knock out rounds. Many KFC players were also confident due to the fact that Casanova XI were languishing in last place in Div 4.
KFC welcomed back Muhammad, who returned from injury, to partner top scorer Farhan in attack. True to form, KFC started brightly as Casanova XI struggled to come to terms with KFC’s early vigour. An early raid down the right saw Akim exchanging passes with Farhan, who executed a defence splitting pass to release Kelvin, who then provided a cross from which Muhammad met with a header after making a superb run into the box. Casa’s keeper was out of position and was unable to react in time to keep the ball out of the net. KFC were now leading 1-0 after probably the fastest goal scored in the team’s history. The down side of scoring such an early goal is that the leading team might tend to become more relax and try to protect the lead and KFC were unable to escape from such a mindset.
Casanova XI, benefitting from KFC’s careless plays began pouring forward, testing KFC’s backline time and again with some intelligent and skilful play. Fortunately, KFC’s defence, led by Amin and Rashid, and flanked by Fazli and Shafi held firm. Akim and Rahman were tenaciously rampaging around midfield, covering for the defence. Helmi was having an epic duel with Casa’s strong left back in a contest which I felt the KFC winger edged.
Danial’s long and powerful goal kicks were also proving to be an excellent weapon for KFC as evident in one instant whereby a long punt up the field by Danial found Farhan, whose shot was saved by Casa’s custodian. After surviving the barrage of attacks from Casanova, KFC, helped by the introduction of Azman, Azhari, Huang and Mubarak, began to feel their way back into the game. One good play down the left saw Helmi sprinting to the byeline before cutting the ball back to Akim, who unfortunately dragged his left footed shot wide. Amin, who had been impressive with his reading of the game up to this point, was injured in a clash of 3 players and had to be substituted, creating a major problem as only Rashid, Fazli and Akim could play at centre back. KFC went into the break holding a slender 1-0 and realizing that they will have to work extra hard to come out with a win.
The 2nd half started with KFC controlling the match, trying to build the attacks up slowly before looking for obvious openings. However, Casa’s counter attacking play meant that KFC’s defence had to be alert. Rashid, buoyed by his coffee break at half time was now an immense presence in KFC’s defence as he and his fellow defenders held on valiantly against Casa’s forwards. It was not long into the 2nd half that KFC had two players down injured on the ground simultaneously. Fazli managed to shake off his injury and continue playing but Muhammad was substituted and replaced by Kelvin.
Farhan and Helmi were now providing KFC’s attacking impetus, as with their speed and guile, they combined to penetrate Casa’s defence repeatedly. With better finishing, KFC would have been able to rack up quite a big scoreline by now. However, Casanova’s counter attacking play finally paid off as a lightning raid down KFC’s left flank saw the ball break loose the their striker who finished coolly despite Danial’s best efforts. KFC were shaken and it suddenly seemed that qualification to the knock out round might not be possible afterall. As the match progressed, Casanova’s left winger caught Fazli with a studs up late challenge. This incident brought some ugly scenes to the match as tempers flared. Although hurt, Fazli bravely played on and one of his long throws, an extremely useful weapon for KFC, late in the match saw the ball arrive in Casa’s penalty area where Akim bravely headed home to secure victory for KFC.
Overall it was a much more challenging match then many would have expected as Casa showed that their ability belies their league position. Also it was a match where KFC suffered heavy casualties as Amin(d), Azhari, Azman, Fazli and Muhammad all sustained some form of injury during the course of the game. KFC can now look to return to league action and fingers crossed, we will hopefully qualify for the knockout rounds.
Kelvin