Scorers (assists)
Akim (Helmi)
Man of the Match
Akim (7) - scored the goal
Wilson (2) - made a few fantastic saves
Fairuz (1) - many overlapping runs
Helmi (1)
Huang (1)
Shahreen (1)
Wilson (GK)
Fairuz - Azmi - Calvin - Bay
Shafi - Akim - Shahreen - Huang
Helmi - Azman
Subs:
Firdaus Masdar
Kevin
Farid
Karim
Our team in D2D league
Rest of league results
Kambing FC spurned yet another chance to close the gap at the top of the table after losing 1-4 to title contenders FZE. The scoreline only told a part of the story in a match that resembles a training session, which saw both teams paced themselves well to last the match. Ultimately, FZE's seasoned experience, better passing, clinical offence and decisive defence showed why they are the superior team.
It could have been different though, when a blitz display of attacking football straight from kick-off, led to Azman's left-footed volley crashing against the crossbar instead of underneath it. An early lead for us would have done wonders for our confidence, especially after both teams then adopted a safety-first approach.
Despite the style of play, the match was anything but dull. Both teams took turns to keep possession in our respective halves before forging forward in search of a goal. FZE looked shaken after the early scare, but overcame it well. They were probing for weaknesses in our defence and they finally found the key to unlock it, by the one man in midfield who led the show. He was assisted superbly by his team-mates, but he was decidedly the extra, creative edge, which we failed to contain as the match wore on.
FZE took the lead after we failed to clear the ball decisively in our box. It was a poor goal to concede especially as we had started the match well. We did not let the goal affect us and I was almost through on goal after another great build-up that began from defence. However, I lost my footing at the crucial moment.
I will not be denied later when I scored the fully-deserved equalizer. The goal again started from defence. Kevin ran forward with the ball on the right flank, and played in Fairuz, who in turn cleverly played Helmi through inside the penalty box. I surged forward to support and Helmi's pass was immaculate as I took it past the defender to score from close range.
Wilson was then a key player in goal and was reliable when called upon. Azmi also showed total commitment with a well-timed tackle. However, we defended poorly for the goal which saw FZE's regained their lead. The play was switched from their left flank to the right deep in our half. Their striker, who was doing a fine job at holding up the ball as a lone stiker, received the ball on the edge of our box. He played through his team-mate with a deft touch, whom we failed to track his run, and his finish was a sublime touch towards the far post.
As the first half drew to a close, we were still passing the ball well and Helmi came close to scoring. The game was still in the balance at half-time with only a 1-2 deficit.
The second half started similarly the way the match panned out in the first. However, we were perhaps too eager and fatigue crept in as we went on the offensive perhaps far too early. Karim, starting as lone striker which saw a midfield reshuffle in a bid to shut down theirs, had a couple of chances including a shot that went wide.
The bravado display did not pay off as FZE extended their lead to 3-1 after another switch of play from left to right. The shot that came was kept out but the rebound fell nicely for his team-mate.
We then lost our shape and tactical discipline, myself being guilty of it despite our half-time talk, as we rushed and became impatient. Our midfield was being overrun despite the extra man, and losing the ball too easily did not help our cause. We still had a lot of the ball at our feet but one of the differences was that FZE was passing it better to devastating effect.
As we called for calm and patience, we cleared our heads and I knew if we could pull a goal back, the game was in for a grandstand finish. Wilson was keeping us in the game with a series of excellent saves and the crossbar saved us once too. Our 2nd goal almost came when, after a string of passes, we found ourselves in the final third. The opponents were outnumbered at this point, and Shafi played a fine pass for me, which I dummied for Karim to receive. Karim was unable to make it count however, despite having a clear route on goal. On hindsight, I had a clear route too.
That was about the closest we can get as FZE scored their 4th goal to seal all three points. Unsurprisingly, it was perhaps the cream of the crop as their star player made the difference in the lead-up to that goal. He had been conjuring up the tricks and flicks in the closing stages and I was expecting another when I kept him facing away with the ball from our goal. My anticipation was undone with his faster speed of thought as he bamboozled me with a nutmeg and suddenly was turning away towards goal. He nutmegged a covering Huang and when his chipped cross came in, his team-mate headed it over Wilson into goal.
The scoreline was a little cruel but not flattering for FZE. The match saw both teams taking turns to fashion something special, and we showed, especially in the first half, that we can play with the very best. Azman's effort in the opening minute was preceded by an excellent build-up as was my goal. Now, we must do it consistently. Our fitness was called into question in the second half as we got ourselves fatigued collectively and the lack of midfield cover was a cause for concern. I believe, though, if we kept the ball better, as we did in the first half, there is nothing the opponent can do about it. We must then translate that into creating better chances than the half-chances we had.
At least, we paced ourselves to not only stay in the game but kept on conjuring those same chances too. There is also still the matter of off-the-ball movements to provide options for your team-mates. We can still improve on this. Credit is given to FZE where it is due but overall, I was pleased with the team's effort in what may seemed to be another weakened line-up. Two games remained in the league and I hope for an impressive end to the season notwithstanding the cup tournament.
Akim
Rest of league results
Kambing FC spurned yet another chance to close the gap at the top of the table after losing 1-4 to title contenders FZE. The scoreline only told a part of the story in a match that resembles a training session, which saw both teams paced themselves well to last the match. Ultimately, FZE's seasoned experience, better passing, clinical offence and decisive defence showed why they are the superior team.
It could have been different though, when a blitz display of attacking football straight from kick-off, led to Azman's left-footed volley crashing against the crossbar instead of underneath it. An early lead for us would have done wonders for our confidence, especially after both teams then adopted a safety-first approach.
Despite the style of play, the match was anything but dull. Both teams took turns to keep possession in our respective halves before forging forward in search of a goal. FZE looked shaken after the early scare, but overcame it well. They were probing for weaknesses in our defence and they finally found the key to unlock it, by the one man in midfield who led the show. He was assisted superbly by his team-mates, but he was decidedly the extra, creative edge, which we failed to contain as the match wore on.
FZE took the lead after we failed to clear the ball decisively in our box. It was a poor goal to concede especially as we had started the match well. We did not let the goal affect us and I was almost through on goal after another great build-up that began from defence. However, I lost my footing at the crucial moment.
I will not be denied later when I scored the fully-deserved equalizer. The goal again started from defence. Kevin ran forward with the ball on the right flank, and played in Fairuz, who in turn cleverly played Helmi through inside the penalty box. I surged forward to support and Helmi's pass was immaculate as I took it past the defender to score from close range.
Wilson was then a key player in goal and was reliable when called upon. Azmi also showed total commitment with a well-timed tackle. However, we defended poorly for the goal which saw FZE's regained their lead. The play was switched from their left flank to the right deep in our half. Their striker, who was doing a fine job at holding up the ball as a lone stiker, received the ball on the edge of our box. He played through his team-mate with a deft touch, whom we failed to track his run, and his finish was a sublime touch towards the far post.
As the first half drew to a close, we were still passing the ball well and Helmi came close to scoring. The game was still in the balance at half-time with only a 1-2 deficit.
The second half started similarly the way the match panned out in the first. However, we were perhaps too eager and fatigue crept in as we went on the offensive perhaps far too early. Karim, starting as lone striker which saw a midfield reshuffle in a bid to shut down theirs, had a couple of chances including a shot that went wide.
The bravado display did not pay off as FZE extended their lead to 3-1 after another switch of play from left to right. The shot that came was kept out but the rebound fell nicely for his team-mate.
We then lost our shape and tactical discipline, myself being guilty of it despite our half-time talk, as we rushed and became impatient. Our midfield was being overrun despite the extra man, and losing the ball too easily did not help our cause. We still had a lot of the ball at our feet but one of the differences was that FZE was passing it better to devastating effect.
As we called for calm and patience, we cleared our heads and I knew if we could pull a goal back, the game was in for a grandstand finish. Wilson was keeping us in the game with a series of excellent saves and the crossbar saved us once too. Our 2nd goal almost came when, after a string of passes, we found ourselves in the final third. The opponents were outnumbered at this point, and Shafi played a fine pass for me, which I dummied for Karim to receive. Karim was unable to make it count however, despite having a clear route on goal. On hindsight, I had a clear route too.
That was about the closest we can get as FZE scored their 4th goal to seal all three points. Unsurprisingly, it was perhaps the cream of the crop as their star player made the difference in the lead-up to that goal. He had been conjuring up the tricks and flicks in the closing stages and I was expecting another when I kept him facing away with the ball from our goal. My anticipation was undone with his faster speed of thought as he bamboozled me with a nutmeg and suddenly was turning away towards goal. He nutmegged a covering Huang and when his chipped cross came in, his team-mate headed it over Wilson into goal.
The scoreline was a little cruel but not flattering for FZE. The match saw both teams taking turns to fashion something special, and we showed, especially in the first half, that we can play with the very best. Azman's effort in the opening minute was preceded by an excellent build-up as was my goal. Now, we must do it consistently. Our fitness was called into question in the second half as we got ourselves fatigued collectively and the lack of midfield cover was a cause for concern. I believe, though, if we kept the ball better, as we did in the first half, there is nothing the opponent can do about it. We must then translate that into creating better chances than the half-chances we had.
At least, we paced ourselves to not only stay in the game but kept on conjuring those same chances too. There is also still the matter of off-the-ball movements to provide options for your team-mates. We can still improve on this. Credit is given to FZE where it is due but overall, I was pleased with the team's effort in what may seemed to be another weakened line-up. Two games remained in the league and I hope for an impressive end to the season notwithstanding the cup tournament.
Akim