Scorers (assists)
Muhammad (Farhan)
Akim (Fazli)
Amin (d) (Muhammad)
Yellow card:
Imran 1st half
Wilson (GK)
Imran - Amin (d) - Fazli - Mubarak
Helmi - Akim - Rahman - Amin
Farhan - Muhammad
Subs:
Rashid
Kelvin
Azhari
Azman
Rafeeq
Huang
Kambing FC started its 3rd year of football (we played our first game on 5 Jan 2008) with an entertaining 3-3 draw. There were plenty of action and to be truthful, we could have killed off the game in the 1st half alone. In fact, we could have killed off the game with the last kick of the game too but Rahman, the co-founder of the team and who had a good game in midfield overall, spurned his chance at glory.
We created wonderful chances in the 1st half from Muhammad's corner, to Helmi's wonderful inswing cross and Azman's wonderful through pass into the penalty box. At the other end, Wilson got his hand to the ball only midway through the 1st half when our opponents finally had a shot at our goal.
Wilson's long punt was met by Farhan who knocked down his header to his strike partner, Muhammad. Muhammad jinked around his marker and shot from outside the penalty box, which the GK managed to get a hand to but could only palm it inwards into goal. We had the deserved lead even if it took a long while to come.
Despite a healthy and strong bench that strut into the field, our momentum suddenly fizzled as we failed to create more chances. I had a feeling we could have held on for a clean sheet after so long but it took a special moment to beat Wilson, who looked in-form to be honest. Our opponents managed to equalize through a free-kick from way out. It was unstoppable and to be fair, most GK probably would not be able to save it. But we could only rue the missed chances we failed to capitalize earlier on.
Yet we found ourselves 1-2 down when great flank play from the right found their striker on a one-on-one situation with Wilson. The striker made no mistake for a fine finish. Our opponents were seemingly growing stronger, influenced in part to a strong bench too, which saw a drastic change in their backline.
We were pegged back in the 2nd half as we strived to find momentum again. We got the equalizer from a classic set-piece long throw-in into the penalty box from Fazli. I met his throw to send the header across goal into the back post. We regained our lead after Muhammad's perfect corner-kick found Amin (d), who had earlier in the match came close to scoring, made no mistake this time with a perfect header that sailed over the GK.
Even as we had seemed to wear down our opponents, and gradually gathering momentum, we found ourselves drawn level yet again after a seemingly offside decision go against us. Their striker, somewhat clearly behind our backline when he received a through pass, was able to pounce with a similar goal as their 2nd.
With the last action of the match, Helmi's low drilled cross, destined for goal, was parried away by the GK. Rahman and Imran both closed in to snap at the rebound. Rahman got there first but unfortunately scooped the ball over the bar despite having the GK at his mercy. Nevertheless, we could and should have converted our earlier chances to put the game beyond reach. Alas, it was not to be.
This game marks the beginning of our 3rd year. Hopefully, we can continue to build on the obvious camaraderie within the team and push ahead for a good finish in the current D2D league as well as in the Cup tournament. I look forward to playing more awesome matches with each and everyone of you. What is the saying again? Win, lose, nvm, style muz have!
Akim