Scorers (assists)
Rafeeq (Helmi)
Akim (Huang)
Wilson (GK)
Kevin - Andrew - Azmi - Farid
Huang - Rahman - Akim - Azman - Helmi
Nas
Subs:
Fairuz
Yongsheng
Kelvin
Joharie
Rafeeq
Our team in D2D league
Rest of league results
Tanjong Katong Sec 3pm - In an exciting match played on Tanjong Katong SS, Kambing FC conceded an agonizing last minute goal that secured old foes FZE an unlikely point in a 2-2 draw. It was 2 points lost for us today but the 1 point gained was necessary after last week's opening match loss. Wilson returned in goal that allowed me to push forward in an advanced position in a 4-5-1 formation behind Nas, who was playing his first league game on his second appearance for the team. Rahman also returned to line up alongside Azman in midfield. A healthy-looking bench also gave cause for optimism before the match started.
We started very well to gain initiative on a bumpy ground while FZE, featuring our former star player Muhammad, always looked to hit on a fast break. Our defence magnificently stood firm and organized. We looked dangerous with our own breaks as we continually found space up front but were generally shot-shy in front of goal. We finally took the lead following a neat exchange of passes which saw Yongsheng releasing the ball to Helmi infield. He released it to Rafeeq inside the penalty box, who had just came on for Nas, and kept his cool to beat the GK. It was a tight affair from then on as we grimly held out to protect our slender lead into half-time although Wilson gave a moment of scare when he almost fumbled a routine catch at his goal line.
FZE looked meaner after the break as we were forced back deep in our half. They constantly regained possession from our goal kicks, which had failed to hit beyond the halfway line by the tiring Azmi. After some half-chances without actually hitting on target, FZE finally equalized. A beautiful inswinger down our left flank was met by a first-time volley from an unmarked FZE player at our far post which screamed past Wilson.
To our credit, we regained the lead. Helmi had failed to control Huang's throw in on the right flank. However, having surged forward, I was on hand to pounce on the loose ball on the edge of the penalty box and struck a first-time shot with the outside of my right foot to score. We then continued to create the better chances, relying on quick, and sometimes adventurous, counterattacks. More impressively, we were still defending strongly with sheer discipline. We can also count ourselves unlucky not to extend our lead with FZE throwing a slight caution to the wind with their attacking play. I had another shot that skied just over the bar while Helmi had two shots on target including one which the GK had to scramble to parry. FZE had dangerous chances from at least three freekicks but Wilson was not forced into making a save each time.
In the final minute, with victory in our sights, we conceded a corner which agonizingly led to FZE's equalizer. Wilson, who had done nothing wrong so far in this half, could only gasped in horror with the rest of the team when he dropped the ball from the cross. Singapore Idol and FZE's Hady Mirza scrambled the ball home to raucous and perhaps, relieved delight of the FZE faithful and the referee blew for fulltime shortly after.
Notwithstanding the incredible drama at the end, our overall performance was in some ways, a major improvement to that from last week. We showed more spirit and desire to compete and we need to keep it up and improve even more. Our defending from the front was also commendable and we put in a lot of physical challenges exemplified especially by Andrew, who was probably lucky to escape a caution with persistent fouling, but was arguably our man of the match together with Helmi, who was the main threat out wide for us. Now, we need to be consistent and showed the same commitment and desire in the last match to propel the team forward as we have shown for sure, that we can compete in this division if we want to. Over to you, guys.
Akim
Rest of league results
Tanjong Katong Sec 3pm - In an exciting match played on Tanjong Katong SS, Kambing FC conceded an agonizing last minute goal that secured old foes FZE an unlikely point in a 2-2 draw. It was 2 points lost for us today but the 1 point gained was necessary after last week's opening match loss. Wilson returned in goal that allowed me to push forward in an advanced position in a 4-5-1 formation behind Nas, who was playing his first league game on his second appearance for the team. Rahman also returned to line up alongside Azman in midfield. A healthy-looking bench also gave cause for optimism before the match started.
We started very well to gain initiative on a bumpy ground while FZE, featuring our former star player Muhammad, always looked to hit on a fast break. Our defence magnificently stood firm and organized. We looked dangerous with our own breaks as we continually found space up front but were generally shot-shy in front of goal. We finally took the lead following a neat exchange of passes which saw Yongsheng releasing the ball to Helmi infield. He released it to Rafeeq inside the penalty box, who had just came on for Nas, and kept his cool to beat the GK. It was a tight affair from then on as we grimly held out to protect our slender lead into half-time although Wilson gave a moment of scare when he almost fumbled a routine catch at his goal line.
FZE looked meaner after the break as we were forced back deep in our half. They constantly regained possession from our goal kicks, which had failed to hit beyond the halfway line by the tiring Azmi. After some half-chances without actually hitting on target, FZE finally equalized. A beautiful inswinger down our left flank was met by a first-time volley from an unmarked FZE player at our far post which screamed past Wilson.
To our credit, we regained the lead. Helmi had failed to control Huang's throw in on the right flank. However, having surged forward, I was on hand to pounce on the loose ball on the edge of the penalty box and struck a first-time shot with the outside of my right foot to score. We then continued to create the better chances, relying on quick, and sometimes adventurous, counterattacks. More impressively, we were still defending strongly with sheer discipline. We can also count ourselves unlucky not to extend our lead with FZE throwing a slight caution to the wind with their attacking play. I had another shot that skied just over the bar while Helmi had two shots on target including one which the GK had to scramble to parry. FZE had dangerous chances from at least three freekicks but Wilson was not forced into making a save each time.
In the final minute, with victory in our sights, we conceded a corner which agonizingly led to FZE's equalizer. Wilson, who had done nothing wrong so far in this half, could only gasped in horror with the rest of the team when he dropped the ball from the cross. Singapore Idol and FZE's Hady Mirza scrambled the ball home to raucous and perhaps, relieved delight of the FZE faithful and the referee blew for fulltime shortly after.
Notwithstanding the incredible drama at the end, our overall performance was in some ways, a major improvement to that from last week. We showed more spirit and desire to compete and we need to keep it up and improve even more. Our defending from the front was also commendable and we put in a lot of physical challenges exemplified especially by Andrew, who was probably lucky to escape a caution with persistent fouling, but was arguably our man of the match together with Helmi, who was the main threat out wide for us. Now, we need to be consistent and showed the same commitment and desire in the last match to propel the team forward as we have shown for sure, that we can compete in this division if we want to. Over to you, guys.
Akim