Scorers (assists)
Akim (pen)
Man of the Match
Akim (3)
Helmi (2)
Shafi (1)
Huang (1)
Azmi (1)
Wilson (1)
Yellow card:
Shahril (2nd half)
Wilson (GK)
Fazli - Shahril - Azmi - Farid
Fairuz - Azman - Akim - Shafi
Kelvin - Omar
Subs:
Karim
Andrew
Helmi
Huang
Our team in D2D league
Rest of league results
We suffered our worst defeat of the season but it was as much that the battle was lost off the pitch as well as on it. We remained mid-table but a string of poor results are threatening to spiral us into obscurity. I must emphasize again that the main purpose of this team is to provide a platform for us to enjoy a game playing with our friends. However, in a competition, there must be a step-up to the mentality that we are here to provide a stern test not only for the opponents we are playing against, but also for ourselves too.
We held our own for a period in the first half, with Kelvin perhaps having the best chance to score, but we found ourselves up against a team clearly intent on pushing for the title. A starting eleven was shuffled in the opening minutes to suit the players who had just arrived, and we found our feet but constantly had our backs to the opponents' goal. We finally caved in from a swift counter-attack that led to the opening goal. A long punt upfield from their penalty box caused mayhem when Azmi felt to deal with it outside our area. As Wilson came off his line, the striker lobbed a shot over our GK into an empty net.
The opponents did not back off and continued to find space as we struggled to retain possession. The referee was then at the centre of controversy when Shahril was fouled with a late tackle that caught him at his ankle. The referee awarded the freekick but surprisingly failed to produce the first card of the match. When he admitted at half-time it was a late tackle, it was all the more a bizarre decision, or a non-decision.
Games are not decided by cautions, certainly, but the momentum of the match may have swung with that decision as Shahril was proving to be a value-added option at right-back and the tackle abruptly forced his early departure. Wilson, continuing his excellent shot-stopping form from last week, kept us in the game with another string of saves. Our attacking play was generally toothless though, and we failed to really test the GK. A 1-0 deficit at half-time gave us hopes for the 2nd period, even as the two no-shows still had not turned up.
The result of the match was perhaps decided early after the restart when Kentridge Rangers doubled their lead. Their midfielder was afforded a free solo run towards our penalty box, as he dribbled unchallenged past at least three players. He unselfishly cut back a pass for his team-mate who finished the move with a cool finish.
There was not much for us to offer except to go for the jugular. We can encourage ourselves but we knew we were facing a team that was assured and in control.
Wilson continued to keep the score down. Shahril recovered to replace a visibly tiring Azman in midfield but was involved in the defensive lapse that saw the opponents scored their 3rd goal. That opened up the floodgates and we still had yet to gel properly as a team. Omar and Helmi, and later on Shafi, were otherwise the bright sparks offensively but we were often closed down at the halfway pitch and were scambling to defend ourselves from the ensuing counter-attacks. We had a freekick that was saved by the GK but we again failed to test the GK.
Shahril was also involved with a round of determined tackles, as I opted to try him out to cope with the problematic defensive midfield position but when he was shown a yellow card, not for any one particular tackle, but for instead, hurling vulgarities that were not intended to offend anyone in particular, he was prematurely withdrawn again as tempers threatened to flare.
The opponents scored two more goals late on in the match and despite being awarded a penalty, which I converted, there was no joy from a game that spiralled out of our control even before the match began.
I am no tactician guru but unfortunately, two no-shows and the lack of punctuality, despite it being a late evening game, meant we started and ended the game for all the wrong reasons when a more suitable first eleven had presented itself prior to kick-off. I still do not know why there are two no-shows nor the reasons for the lack of punctuality but I feel I am again being taken for granted. The reminders that I sent a day before, the fact it was a late kick-off, and the basic courtesy I treat the players as adults, is not reciprocated. Not forgetting that for most of us, a soccer game comes only once a week, three hours top. I appreciate those who do made the efforts and, basic courtesy aside, have given me due respect too.
I have been through this course before. It was the same in the previous two seasons we have competed in this league. I am disappointed that a season that started so well had to end as badly as it did, notwithstanding the last game and the fasting month during the season. I am even more disappointed, upset even, that a man's word cannot be taken seriously anymore.
Even as a change is in the winds, perhaps not as subtly felt for now, or in the immediate future, I am sure a change is necessary nevertheless. I have done my part, at times stretching both my patience and panic level, and I feel the time is right for me to step down as the manager, and at times, the leader, as loosely and as hollow as it sounds.
Akim
Rest of league results
We suffered our worst defeat of the season but it was as much that the battle was lost off the pitch as well as on it. We remained mid-table but a string of poor results are threatening to spiral us into obscurity. I must emphasize again that the main purpose of this team is to provide a platform for us to enjoy a game playing with our friends. However, in a competition, there must be a step-up to the mentality that we are here to provide a stern test not only for the opponents we are playing against, but also for ourselves too.
We held our own for a period in the first half, with Kelvin perhaps having the best chance to score, but we found ourselves up against a team clearly intent on pushing for the title. A starting eleven was shuffled in the opening minutes to suit the players who had just arrived, and we found our feet but constantly had our backs to the opponents' goal. We finally caved in from a swift counter-attack that led to the opening goal. A long punt upfield from their penalty box caused mayhem when Azmi felt to deal with it outside our area. As Wilson came off his line, the striker lobbed a shot over our GK into an empty net.
The opponents did not back off and continued to find space as we struggled to retain possession. The referee was then at the centre of controversy when Shahril was fouled with a late tackle that caught him at his ankle. The referee awarded the freekick but surprisingly failed to produce the first card of the match. When he admitted at half-time it was a late tackle, it was all the more a bizarre decision, or a non-decision.
Games are not decided by cautions, certainly, but the momentum of the match may have swung with that decision as Shahril was proving to be a value-added option at right-back and the tackle abruptly forced his early departure. Wilson, continuing his excellent shot-stopping form from last week, kept us in the game with another string of saves. Our attacking play was generally toothless though, and we failed to really test the GK. A 1-0 deficit at half-time gave us hopes for the 2nd period, even as the two no-shows still had not turned up.
The result of the match was perhaps decided early after the restart when Kentridge Rangers doubled their lead. Their midfielder was afforded a free solo run towards our penalty box, as he dribbled unchallenged past at least three players. He unselfishly cut back a pass for his team-mate who finished the move with a cool finish.
There was not much for us to offer except to go for the jugular. We can encourage ourselves but we knew we were facing a team that was assured and in control.
Wilson continued to keep the score down. Shahril recovered to replace a visibly tiring Azman in midfield but was involved in the defensive lapse that saw the opponents scored their 3rd goal. That opened up the floodgates and we still had yet to gel properly as a team. Omar and Helmi, and later on Shafi, were otherwise the bright sparks offensively but we were often closed down at the halfway pitch and were scambling to defend ourselves from the ensuing counter-attacks. We had a freekick that was saved by the GK but we again failed to test the GK.
Shahril was also involved with a round of determined tackles, as I opted to try him out to cope with the problematic defensive midfield position but when he was shown a yellow card, not for any one particular tackle, but for instead, hurling vulgarities that were not intended to offend anyone in particular, he was prematurely withdrawn again as tempers threatened to flare.
The opponents scored two more goals late on in the match and despite being awarded a penalty, which I converted, there was no joy from a game that spiralled out of our control even before the match began.
I am no tactician guru but unfortunately, two no-shows and the lack of punctuality, despite it being a late evening game, meant we started and ended the game for all the wrong reasons when a more suitable first eleven had presented itself prior to kick-off. I still do not know why there are two no-shows nor the reasons for the lack of punctuality but I feel I am again being taken for granted. The reminders that I sent a day before, the fact it was a late kick-off, and the basic courtesy I treat the players as adults, is not reciprocated. Not forgetting that for most of us, a soccer game comes only once a week, three hours top. I appreciate those who do made the efforts and, basic courtesy aside, have given me due respect too.
I have been through this course before. It was the same in the previous two seasons we have competed in this league. I am disappointed that a season that started so well had to end as badly as it did, notwithstanding the last game and the fasting month during the season. I am even more disappointed, upset even, that a man's word cannot be taken seriously anymore.
Even as a change is in the winds, perhaps not as subtly felt for now, or in the immediate future, I am sure a change is necessary nevertheless. I have done my part, at times stretching both my patience and panic level, and I feel the time is right for me to step down as the manager, and at times, the leader, as loosely and as hollow as it sounds.
Akim