Scorers (assists)
-
Man Of The Match
Rahman (5)
Helmi (3)
Danial (2)
Syafiq (2)
Yellow card:
Rashid 2nd half
Danial (GK)
Helmi - Amin(d) - Rashid - Shafi
Farhan - Shiva - Rahman - Muhammad - Omar
Rafeeq
Subs:
Firdaus
Kelvin
Karim
Huang
Syafiq
I watched this game from the sidelines due to injury but despite another defeat, we did not give up to stay in the game throughout. For that, I applaud the players today for their efforts which were plain and clear for all to see. Having said that, while it's true we lost to a good team who are in the hunt for a 2nd consecutive promotion in successive seasons, I wonder if we are not that far off in terms of being a good team ourselves. The league table does not lie, which sees us edging closer to relegation after today's defeat. Yet the table does not really tell the full picture too.
No one apart from a handful few including myselves can deny it when I say this; the majority of the goals we conceded in the league this season came not from an opponent team's brilliance but rather from our own lapses. Of course, I cannot put it as shallow a tale as that. We have certainly rode our luck in perhaps two or three games but ultimately we defended as well as we could only to see us undone by conceding crucial goals through defensive lapse.
It also speaks volumes that prior to this game we have scored in all league and cup games except in two. This latest game made it three. This was our first game in three weeks and it showed in our rustiness and lacklustre opening. Danial was an alleged culprit for holding onto the ball for more than 6 seconds inside the box. When he was warned by the referee about the time, Danial took another second or so to release the ball and was blown for the foul. Strict refereeing to be sure considering Danial had heeded the referee's warning but Samalongkok sportingly gave the ball back to us instead of executing the free-kick from a dangerous position.
Both teams then went close to scoring in the opening minutes. Rafeeq, Muhammad, with an ambitious effort, and Omar, who forced a good save from the GK, each had their chances. Samalongkok, last year's Division 4 champions, tested Danial too, who was making a comeback after two games. Our upright of the goal saved us about 10 minutes into the match but Danial was finally beaten after he failed to grab a throw-in from our right flank. The throw continued loosely across our goal and the Samalongkok tapped in from close range at the far post. The game stayed 0-1 to our opponents at half-time.
After the break, we played much brighter than we did in the first half as we pegged Samalongkok very well. Numerous build-up plays resulted in half-chances but we were stepping up the tempo by the minute and I was feeling the tension on the sidelines. With each minute, we seem to be edging closer to scoring a goal.
Unfortunately, Samalongkok secured all three points when yet another defensive lapse sucked the breath out of the team's performance. Rashid, the last defender, failed to cut out a long Samalongkok ball launched from their half and it fell kindly to the lurking opponent who had an easy path towards Danial. He made no mistake to tuck the ball into the corner of the net.
While that goal did demoralized us, we did admirably to stay in the game and finished with a good form at least. It is also worth pointing out we had a strong squad against Samalongkok and I do hope we have such players again for the remaining 5 league games and for whatever games the cup competition have in store for us.
Our team in D2D league
Rest of results
Akim
Photos can be downloaded individually oras an album. look for the icon at the top right hand corner of screen.
Link http://rahman.dphoto.com/#/album/12dfeh/
No one apart from a handful few including myselves can deny it when I say this; the majority of the goals we conceded in the league this season came not from an opponent team's brilliance but rather from our own lapses. Of course, I cannot put it as shallow a tale as that. We have certainly rode our luck in perhaps two or three games but ultimately we defended as well as we could only to see us undone by conceding crucial goals through defensive lapse.
It also speaks volumes that prior to this game we have scored in all league and cup games except in two. This latest game made it three. This was our first game in three weeks and it showed in our rustiness and lacklustre opening. Danial was an alleged culprit for holding onto the ball for more than 6 seconds inside the box. When he was warned by the referee about the time, Danial took another second or so to release the ball and was blown for the foul. Strict refereeing to be sure considering Danial had heeded the referee's warning but Samalongkok sportingly gave the ball back to us instead of executing the free-kick from a dangerous position.
Both teams then went close to scoring in the opening minutes. Rafeeq, Muhammad, with an ambitious effort, and Omar, who forced a good save from the GK, each had their chances. Samalongkok, last year's Division 4 champions, tested Danial too, who was making a comeback after two games. Our upright of the goal saved us about 10 minutes into the match but Danial was finally beaten after he failed to grab a throw-in from our right flank. The throw continued loosely across our goal and the Samalongkok tapped in from close range at the far post. The game stayed 0-1 to our opponents at half-time.
After the break, we played much brighter than we did in the first half as we pegged Samalongkok very well. Numerous build-up plays resulted in half-chances but we were stepping up the tempo by the minute and I was feeling the tension on the sidelines. With each minute, we seem to be edging closer to scoring a goal.
Unfortunately, Samalongkok secured all three points when yet another defensive lapse sucked the breath out of the team's performance. Rashid, the last defender, failed to cut out a long Samalongkok ball launched from their half and it fell kindly to the lurking opponent who had an easy path towards Danial. He made no mistake to tuck the ball into the corner of the net.
While that goal did demoralized us, we did admirably to stay in the game and finished with a good form at least. It is also worth pointing out we had a strong squad against Samalongkok and I do hope we have such players again for the remaining 5 league games and for whatever games the cup competition have in store for us.
Our team in D2D league
Rest of results
Akim
Photos can be downloaded individually oras an album. look for the icon at the top right hand corner of screen.
Link http://rahman.dphoto.com/#/album/12dfeh/