Match134: D2D Sports Sunday 3pm / 5pm League: Season 6 Division 2 match 14 vs Holland Park XI 0-3 loss

HT: 0-2 FT: 0-3
Yellow card
Kevin

Akim (GK) 

Kevin - Azmi - Nas - Farid

Alan (debut) - Kelvin - Yazier - Azman - Rahman

Rafeeq

Subs:
Omar

Our team in D2D league
Rest of league results

Fuchun Sec 3pm - Kambing FC finally completed a valuable experiential league campaign. It has been mostly a season of losses with only a solitary win and three draws attained out of 14 matches and only 11 goals scored against 45 conceded. We have also suffered a goalkeeping crisis with 6 players filling in goal while Helmi has sustained a serious long-term injury and a variety of commitment issues have kept the likes of both Shahrils, Andrew, Fairuz, Farhan and Shafi from playing more prominent roles. We still have a cup tournament to look forward to but we, myself especially, can also now look forward to life in a lower division.

Against Holland Park XI, I started in goal yet again and the team started with 10 men with Nas filling in at centre back. Alan was a debutant at right mid. HP went on the offensive from the start but we rather impressively kept them at bay with the upright keeping out an opponent shot early on and a couple of close shaves followed suit. Yazier finally arrived to restore parity and we continued to resist HP very well. Our resistance was finally broken when HP took the lead. A perfectly-placed through ball in between Kevin and Azmi was latched onto by an opponent and my scampering was in vain as he flicked the ball over me. They doubled their lead through the most fortuitous circumstance, when a cross was played in across goal and though I kept out the initial shot, a followup shot crashed into the bar and straight down at my arm into goal.

We were 0-3 down in the second half after my goalkick was lost in the middle of the park to HP and the counterattack was swift and decisive equalled by the calm finish. The upright again saved us from a curling freekick but with both sides devoid of options from the bench under the heat, it was turning into a stroll in the park akin to building match fitness. Kevin earned what i think was his first yellow card ever with a rather sly tackle but we will need more such grit. We did enjoy a period camping in the opponents half and though HP always look threatening on the counterattacks, there were no further goals to the scoreline.

Our 4th season in D2D league has been a steep learning curve and we were totally, but wholly expectedly, caught out like fishes out of water. My personal opinion is that it was disappointing the league organizers chose to push us higher just so we can fill up the gaps in Div 2 and without ever consulting us too. By the time the news reached us, we were already just about to start the season. Hopefully they wise up for the new season.

My assessment of the players who played? Nas' versatility was evident as he filled in roles in defence, midfield and attack while Kevin and Farid were both again impressive alongside Azmi in defence, and both fullbacks will look to enjoy brighter spells in the new season. Azmi has been virtual ever-present since his NS and it is good to have someone who can play long balls out of defence. Alan's attacking instinct was perhaps curbed by our relative weak attack but his defensive aspect was admirable as he tracked back often to assist Kevin. We will look to give him more games. Rahman was working his socks off down the left flank as a false left winger with Omar as both got a lot of time on the ball and both had half-chances too. Azman vastly improved on his display last week and won a few key headers while Kelvin and now Yazier are competing for places as anchors in midfield, Kelvin in particular will be a key player if his fitness gets better. Rafeeq had a bright start to menace HP's  defence and worked hard as usual but was otherwise starved of service.

Final word for now, thanks to the players who have played their part in our games this season. Let's all look ahead for a fresh start.

Akim

Match132: D2D Sports Sunday 3pm / 5pm League: Season 6 Division 2 match 13 vs Holland Park XI 1-7 loss

HT: 1-3 FT: 1-7
Scorers (assists)
Radin (Nas)

Yazier (GK)

Kevin - Andrew - Azmi - Farid

Khairul (debut) - Azman - Kelvin - Nas - Kariim

Radin

Subs:
Firdaus Masdar
Huang
Akim
Rahman
Omar
Rafeeq

Our team in D2D league
Rest of league results

Canberra Sec 3pm - Kambing FC suffered its heaviest defeat since the 0-7 loss to Outsiders FC earlier this season, in our penultimate league match against Holland Park XI (HP), a former Div 2 champions. I had faint hopes that we could lift ourselves from the foot of the table if we won our last two games against HP but this loss effectively put to bed our most disastrous season ever in D2D. Surprisingly, our opponents themselves are languishing in the bottom half of the table this season. Khairul made his debut on the right side of midfield.

HP utilized the size of the pitch to full effect and we were troubled by their speed and precise passing. Their patient probing paid off early on as they scored two early goals. Radin pulled a goal back after yet another assist from Nas to score his first ever goal for the team, after getting a second bite of the cherry in the penalty box. Our typical fighting spirit then appeared to peg HP in our best spell of the game but HP regained their 2 goal advantage after a lob from long range caught Yazier out. Going into half-time, I felt we were not totally out of the game yet.

Instead, worst was to come after the restart as we conceded another goal shortly after the restart following another HP's swift and decisive piece of attack as they took a commanding 4-1 lead. Azman then spurned the best chance of the game for us when he missed a free header from Rafeeq's delightful cross and while that miss would probably have not been costly anyway in the end, we have to be more clinical next season. Instead, HP capitalized on a calamitous defensive error to score their 5th goal. They scored 2 more goals to round up the scoreline and the manner in which they casually stroked the ball around the park highlighted the painfully obvious gulf in quality between the two teams. We were simply not good enough as we struggled to muster any serious threat against HP's defence.

We will play HP again in our last league game of the current season, and for me, it cannot end soon enough. A cup campaign is on the cards and hopefully, we will provide a stiffer test.

Akim

Match131: D2D Sports Sunday 3pm / 5pm League: Season 6 Division 2 match 12 vs Luchaz Locos 0-3 loss

HT: 0-2 FT: 0-3

Aminudin (GK)

Kevin - Azmi - Fairuz - Farid

Omar - Akim - Kelvin - Shafi

Farhan - Ariel Shahril

Subs:
Salleh
Shahril
Yongsheng
Azman
Huang

Our team in D2D league
Rest of league results

North Vista Sec 5pm -

Akim

Match128: D2D Sports Sunday 3pm / 5pm League: Season 6 Division 2 match 11 vs Team Tsubasa 0-2 loss

HT: 0-0 FT: 0-2
Yellow card
Rashid

Akim (GK)

Alim - Andrew - Azmi - Shafi

Helmi - Rahman - Nas - Huang - Danial Iman (debut)

Radin

Subs:
Firdaus Masdar
Rashid
Omar
Fairuz
Azman
Kelvin
Rafeeq

Our team in D2D league
Rest of league results

Clementi Woods Sec 3pm - Some of us might have looked forward to this game against Team Tsubasa because it was against the only team we had beaten in the league this season, but by the end of the game, we counted yet another defeat. Despite the loss, I was pleased with how we had followed up on our performance last week. Danial Iman made his debut in the starting XI while Andrew and Rashid also returned to the team after a period of absence, with a heavy rotation evident throughout the squad today.

It was a cagey first half with both teams restricted to long-range shots despite the size of the field. Keeping goal again, I gave cause for concern early on when I fumbled a routine high ball. Fortunately, the opponent could only skied the loose ball with the goal at his mercy from two yards out. The first half was devoid of highlights but Danial's debut featured much promise down the flanks with some fancy footwork. Not to be outdone, Omar marveled with a slalom dribble on his own, though his cross was off the mark. Defensively, Andrew was menacing, which was typified when he made a couple of key interceptions. It was goalless at half-time.

Minutes after the restart, Omar was withdrawn after sustaining an injury while Helmi also had to hobble off soon after. TT threatened in the final third at our end of the pitch without registering any shot on target from open play. They came close from a freekick which I kept out with a single-handed save. Danial who came on after Omar's withdrawal, was our most viable threat and carved out the best chance of the game. He had completed another dribble down the right flank into the penalty box and picked out Huang at the near post, but Huang could only shot wide when it had looked easier to score. TT capitalized on our profligacy to take the lead from a counter-attack. All eyes were on Azmi when he headed a harmless TT crossfield pass into the path of an opponent. He bore down on our goal and slid a through pass for his team-mate, who eluded Andrew and drilled the ball low past the slightest touches of my fingertips into the corner of the goal. TT doubled their lead after an opponent sprung our offside trap with a through ball for his team-mate, who calmly finished to score. We could have pulled one goal back after Danial again provided a chance from the right flank. This time, he was hacked down inside the penalty box to win a penalty. With myself keeping goal, Rashid who seemed eager to impress on his return, took over and perhaps looked slightly overconfident when he could only dispatched the penalty kick wide to the left of goal. Fairuz's long throws and a couple of wasted freekicks were our last resort but we could not score the goal that could have made for a dramatic conclusion towards the end.

After last week, the excitement and energy oozed in our team yet again in spite of the various permutations caused by the heavy rotation. In my view, we all seem to be having fun playing soccer recently with all pressure off. The injuries to Omar and Helmi (and Fairuz's shoulder aches) look worrying but hopefully, they will recover well. Three league games more to be played but I am already looking forward to next season when hopefully we can count more victories than defeats next time.

Akim

Match127: D2D Sports Sunday 3pm / 5pm League: Season 6 Division 2 match 10 vs Industmarine Football 2-2 draw

HT: 2-2 FT: 2-2
Scorers (assists)
Akim (Syafiq)
Nas (Azman)

James (GK)

Yazier - Azmi - Akim - Alim

Nas - Azman - Kelvin - Rahman - Huang

Syafiq

Subs:
Shahril
Radin (debut)

Our team in D2D league
Rest of league results

Clementi Woods Sec 3pm - Kambing FC finally snapped a losing streak of 5 games, including a friendly game loss, to grab a point after overcoming a 0-2 deficit in a 2-2 draw against Industmarine Football. That streak has finally seen us become the bottom dwellers in Division 2 and facing certain relegation with 4 games left to play, but our typical fighting spirit was pleasing to see. James was the 5th new face in goal this season, our 6th GK overall including that friendly game, while Syafiq made his long-awaited return to the team. Debutant Radin had to be content with a place on the bench. By the end, these 3 players made such an exciting impact to the team's performance to give us all a positive lift as we wind down our season.

Defensive solidity was exhibited early on with Kelvin especially starring in the anchor role while Shahril and Azmi typically combined well to snuff out the attackers. There were hardly any chances created at both ends of the pitch. IF caught us out often on our flanks but Syafiq and Nas counteracted for us, with their pace causing plenty of problems for IF's defence. We finally carved out our first real chance of the game after I put Syafiq through on goal inside the penalty box. Our diminutive striker looked to have broken the deadlock but he inexplicably missed with a wasteful effort. I then should have done better with a free header from a corner from 2 yards out. We were punished for those misses when IF took the lead from a corner. I was at fault with for failing to challenge the opponent at the near post and his header gave James no chance. We conceded a disappointing second goal when IF again caught us out on our left flank. An opponent tucked in the wicked early cross from close range.

We gave ourselves a chance when I made amends for my earlier miss and that poor challenge which led to the opening goal, to score with a diving header from Syafiq's delighful cross. The fightback was on and we finally equalized. After winning and keeping possession in midfield, Azman threaded a pass to Nas who came infield and and fired an amazing effort from long range. We continued to dominate before and after the break against a tiring IF. We had to question some refereeing decisions that went against us including a blatant handball inside the penalty box (an incident which the referee admitted after the game that he did not see) but we failed to make our early 2nd half pressure count, and we became more predictable as the game wore on. Syafiq came closest to breaking the tie with a header (yes, the shortest one) from a corner and later with a freekick effort that just blazed over the bar late on. James' goalkicks and punts were also useful weapons. Ultimately, we failed to capitalize on our domination against a strong IF defence that were always looking to hit on the break as the match ended in a draw.

Our 4 remaining tough league games are against Holland Park XI (twice), Team Tsubasa and Luchaz Locos. Even though we played the weakest team in this divison (no offense IF), the game today has shown me a lot of our team's potential; Kelvin in that DM role, Nas, Syafiq and Radin buzzing around with their pace, James' assured goalkeeping which earned the admiration of our players (I know what they are referring to, of course, as I play with him for my Saturday team). It is an uphill task for us but if we play as well in those 4 games, as we did today, I am optimistic of our team's chances of claiming a collective morale-boosting moral victory.

Akim

Match125: D2D Sports Sunday 3pm / 5pm League: Season 6 Division 2 match 9 vs Forza Ze East (FZE) 0-4 loss

HT: 0-2 FT: 0-4

Akim (GK)

Shahril - Azmi - Hidayat - Farid

Fairuz - Yongsheng - Huang - Azman - Farhan

Rafeeq

Subs:
Salleh
Nas

Our team in D2D league
Rest of league results

Bedok Green Sec 3pm -

Akim

Match124: D2D Sports Sunday 3pm / 5pm League: Season 6 Division 2 match 8 vs Kentridge Rangers 2-3 loss

HT: 2-1 FT: 2-3
Scorers (assists)
Akim (pen)
Farhan (Azman)
Yellow card
Azman

Bobos (GK) (debut)

Kevin - Alim - Azmi - Farid

Shafi - Shahreen - Azman - Omar

Akim

Farhan

Subs:
Shahril
Kariim
Huang
Yazier

Our team in D2D league
Rest of league results

Pei Hwa Sec 5pm - Kambing FC let a 2-0 lead overturned into a 2-3 defeat at the hands of 10-men Kentridge Rangers. The painful defeat again showcased our lack of quality at this level, highlighted by the fact that we had failed to protect our lead despite playing with an extra man for almost the entire match. The way KR pegged us back to win made you wonder which team had the extra man and we also have to ask ourselves how we conceded the goals, which were all defensible.

Bobos was a debutant in goal and was our 4th goalkeeper this season, while Shahreen and Farhan returned in the absences of Rahman and Nas.

It was only mere minutes into the game when KR were rightly reduced to 10 men after the KR GK fouled Farhan outside the penalty box, who was destined to score the opening goal. The freekick led to a corner for us. Farhan was involved again when an opponent was deemed to have handled in the box and the referee pointed to the spot. I duly converted to score my 2nd goal of the season.

We doubled our lead minutes later after Azman provided a wonderful lobbed assist for Farhan, whose return was giving us crucial impetus already. Farhan scored with a lobbed effort after the replacement KR GK futilely rushed out to clear Azman's pass.

Farhan was wrongly ruled out for offside after he was released from my through pass and Shahreen and Azman wasted a couple of freekick efforts as KR seized initiative to press us back deep in our half. We struggled with the onslaught but survived until naive defending finally saw KR pulled a goal back. KR had the ball on the byline in our penalty box but none of us seemed determined to wipe out the imminent danger. When the ball was played across the goalmouth area, a KR player pounced to score.

We defended better after that with Shahril and Azmi ably leading the defence. But they were being stretched and it was the team's failure that we did not help to lighten their load, such as failing to string more than two passes, opting to punt the ball out of danger. This caused unnecessary pressure deep in our half. Yet, I could have regained our two-goal advantage just before the break when Shafi and I double-teamed to win the ball off KR and I was through on goal. The defender recovered to put in a challenge and I could only tamely shoot on goal.

We reshuffled our line-up for the 2nd half but KR was not peturbed as they continued to press in search of an equalizer. Rahman's aggressive presence was being sorely felt in midfield while I sat out to nurse a strain. Azman was looking off-colour today for some reason. As a result, our midfield lost the battle despite our numerical superiority.

KR finally equalized with a wicked curled effort around our wall from a freekick and they completed their remarkable turnaround to score their 3rd goal that gave them the lead for the first time in the match.

Farhan came close to score a equalizer but his header off Azmi's teasing freekick sailed over the bar. I then went for the jugular to send on Shafi, Omar and myself into the fray. KR was tiring and we finally found ourselves with some breathing space but our passing was very shoddy and did not help our cause. Try as we might, we only had Azman's effort from a freekick to show for, which spun agonizingly wide of goal, at the death.

We are now into the 2nd half of the season and while relegation is a distinct possibility, we should show more grit than we did today. Forget about results, let us get back to basics and strive to cut out the sloppy passing and naive defending.

Akim

Match123: D2D Sports Sunday 3pm / 5pm League: Season 6 Division 2 match 7 vs Luchaz Locos 0-2 loss

HT: 0-0 FT: 0-2

Akim (GK)

Alim - Shahril - Azmi - Farid

Shafi - Rahman - Azman - Fairuz

Helmi

Nas

Subs:
Firdaus Masdar
Huang
Yongsheng

Our team in D2D league
Rest of league results

Beatty Sec 5pm - Kambing FC's defence was put to a stern test by Luchaz Locos (LL), the current league leaders and the only unbeaten team in Division 2. It was with great credit that despite our 4th loss of the season, the goals only came via a deflection and by our own player. I covered in goal again while Shahril ignored doctor's orders to start in defence alongside Azmi, his regular partner. This meant that Alim was shifted at right back. Helmi and Fairuz were also welcome returns to the line-up.

LL got us on the back foot with a controlled and patient passing style of play to dominate the first half as we opted to play on the counter-attack. They struck the crossbar thrice, including one shot which I tipped onto it, and they were also limited to a couple of long-range efforts in that period. Our disciplined defensive performance as a team was earning a lot of plaudits, however, even after Shahril's premature withdrawal following a committed challenge to prevent a shot, and Alim admirably stood in for him. I could thank the team that I did not have to make a single point-blank save.

If there was one improvement we could have worked on again though, it was for us to win those aerial balls, which the opponents won just about each time to send us back into our half again. Helmi, Fairuz, Nas and Shafi, who was caught offside a few times, all tried to force the issue but LL was determinedly holding on to their end of the bargain too, such that the GK was hardly in action. Nevertheless, we went into the break delighted with a clean sheet but knowing it was not yet over.

Our resistance finally ended mere minutes after the restart. We lost possession on the halfway line again. LL launched a swift and precise counter-attack that got our defence in twists and knots deep in our area. An opponent cut back a low cross from their left flank towards his team-mate, who managed to get his shot in. Unfortunately, the ball ping-ponged against a couple of our players and the ball was deflected away from me into the net.

Our reply was immediately muted and LL continued to sustain pressure. We worked ourselves to finally find a second wind to keep them at bay again. I was again kept relatively quiet in goal apart from taking goalkicks and tipping away a dangerous cross, as our opponents resorted to long-range efforts which skied over the bar. Thus, it was a disappointment when the opponents doubled their lead through the cruelest of goals. The opponents whipped in a cross from their right flank inside our penalty box and Firdaus's attempted clearance could only turn into a brilliant scissors kick that powered the ball past me into the net.

Just before the final whistle, it was Farid's day in the sun. An opponent found himself with space in the penalty box and seemed certain to score. Farid, having been a star performer in the match, launched a stupendous covering tackle just as the opponent was about to pull the trigger. That was just about the best consolation prize for our team, apart from a wonderful team effort, to pass a stern test set by LL. It was yet another game for us to learn our lesson. Now, with an expected break from the league on Labour Day, we would aim to use the time to play a friendly game or two.

Akim

Match122: D2D Sports Sunday 3pm / 5pm League: Season 6 Division 2 match 6 vs Kentridge Rangers 0-4 loss

HT: 0-3 FT: 0-4

Akbar (GK)

Salleh - Ariel Shahril - Azmi - Farid

Shafi - Alim - Akim - Azman - Omar

Nas

Subs:
Kevin
Firdaus Masdar
Joharie
Rahman
Huang
Yazier

Our team in D2D league
Rest of league results

Bartley Sec 5pm - Kambing FC lost the chance to gain ground in Division 2 as our opponents handed a drubbing against a lethargic-looking team. The collective disappointment that I saw on the players' faces after the game was a positive sign that we all wanted to win this game badly. However, we were totally outclassed in all departments by a hungrier opponents and defensive calamities were far too evident today. Akbar, who was in goal, Shafi and Salleh all made their season debuts with a place in the starting line-up and a healthy bench rounding up the squad.

I almost gave the team the perfect start about 2 minutes into the game. Omar, our chief threat today, supplied a sublime chip through pass to me and I was through on goal. I failed to realize I had the time and space to take the GK one-on-one and could only meekly shot straight at the GK. It went downhill from then on. Having impressed in his one and only game previously, I was looking forward to see Akbar keeping up his fine form for us. Yet, he found himself in the spotlight for the wrong reason after he failed to handle an innocuous high ball and the opponent capitalized to head the ball into the net for KR to take the lead.

Following an energetic and enthusiastic start, we were suddenly putting up a lackluster team performance, which partially explained the circumstances that led to us going 0-2 down shortly after. KR patiently passed the ball and built up play towards our penalty area before activating their usual strategy of playing the ball crossfield. The winger drilled a low cross across goal to an unmarked player to tap in for an easy goal. It was a poor defensive performance to have given that goal away. Matters got worse when the opponents were awarded a penalty. Akbar got a hand to the ball, but the strike was powerful enough to hit the back of the net to make it 3-0.

We were looking down, but not out, despite our struggle to get any sort of momentum going. We were performing badly defensively especially. Offensively, Omar and Shafi continually found headway on both flanks, something that I hope will continue to be a part of our attacking approach this season, but we generally failed to find our groove with our passing and hardly threatened the opponents in the final third of the pitch. Nas was also looking lively and got involved actively and found himself with a good chance to reduce the deficit while Ariel Shahril (whom I have been calling 'Shahril S' in this blog) hit the bar with a long range effort as we went into half-time to find ideas to get back in the game.

During the break, with the damage already done, we made our team talk worthwhile with Azman, perhaps our best passer, assigned to supply through passes as part of our main strategy. In a formation more akin to a 4-4-2, Ariel Shahril was deployed upfront alongside Yazier to add aggression. Alim, who initially started in midfield, took up the centreback slot and again did well. Akbar kept the score down with a string of saves as KR continued to dominate and create chances. We did not do our pride any harm with a far better effort as our strategy paid off to a certain extent. Rahman was running his socks off in midfield in our revised formation while Azman, who played the entire match, was gradually wearing himself out to find our players with his passes. The defence was in a much better shape in the second half, perhaps in the knowledge that the result is almost immaterial.

We were threatening sporadically with one such chance saw the GK being forced to make a save after an opponent inexplicably headed Joharie's wonderful cross into his path. We had some half-chances falling to the likes of Rahman and Shahril too. Unfortunately, huffed and puffed as much as we like, and even sustained an injury to Joharie, KR was the stronger and better team. They added a gloss to the scoreline with a wonderful volley midway through to put the result beyond doubt.

Who knows what might have been if I had converted the gilt-edged chance early on? We started with a buzz, perhaps on the back of our memorable victory last week, but the energy level sagged horribly and we were generally poor in all areas today. Our performance definitely improved in the 2nd half though and we would need to sustain the belief that we can play as well on a more consistent basis. To quote Yazier's comment, there are better days to come definitely.

Akim

Match121: D2D Sports Sunday 3pm / 5pm League: Season 6 Division 2 match 5 vs Team Tsubasa 2-1 win

HT: 1-0 FT: 2-1
Scorers (assists)
Rafeeq (-)
Azman (-)

Akim (GK)

Kevin - Alim (debut) - Azmi - Farid

Yazier - Kelvin - Yongsheng - Azman - Omar

Nas

Subs:
Ariel Shahril
Joharie
Rahman
Rafeeq

Our team in D2D league
Rest of league results

Yio Chu Kang Sec 3pm - Kambing FC continued its mini-revival with an impressive 2-1 win over previously undefeated league leaders Team Tsubasa. We finally have our maiden victory 5 games into this campaign. I again kept goal, while Omar compensated for Helmi's absence. Alim debuted alongside Azmi in the heart of defence and did well. He also proved, to a certain point, his versatility as a rightback. Kelvin reprised his newfound role in central midfield as Huang withdrew on matchday and newly-crowned daddy Rahman had to be content with a place on the bench after suffering sleepless nights in the past few days.

I was looking forward to play a prominent role against a team we can benchmarked ourselves with, so keeping goal was on the back of my mind, but it was a sacrifice for the greater good. The pep talk I gave in the run-up to this game, that we can beat this team, was meant to motivate myself, let alone the team. Instead, I almost gave the team an early meaningless scare a minute in when I fluffed a clearance that ricocheted high off an opponent inside our penalty box. Luckily, the richochet ended in a routine catch.

It was an end-to-end first half with Tsubasa creating the better chances from one-on-one situations and freekicks but I was up to the task. Nas was again cutting a lone figure up front but Omar was a pacy, direct outlet on the left flank.Out of the blue, we scored the opening goal. Rafeeq capitalized on a defensive lapse to score his 2nd league goal of the season. He is certainly making an impact coming off the bench.

Buoyed by the goal, we became more energetic. Having been generally pegged back in the 1st half, we sought to protect our lead by defending and maintaining possession further upfield in the 2nd. The strategy paid off when we won a freekick in a dangerous position. Azman, who came close last week, scored this time, albeit via a deflection, to open his league account.

With a 2-0 lead, we determinedly held on despite conceding freekicks in threatening areas again. I was again called upon to make saves while all our defenders put in crucial tackles, screened by a protective midfield that freshened itself in rotation, and a team effort by our strikers Rafeeq and Nas. Nas and Omar also conjured up some exciting moments, and even Kevin pushed forward once to stab a rare, if skyhigh, shot on goal. A deserved rare clean sheet appeared to be in our grasp but I was finally beaten by the softest of goals from a low freekick. I was flat-footed but I had made a mess of it when the ball slipped just beneath my hands to cut the deficit to 2-1. That set up a tense and nervous finale. We were defending desperately but the prospect of getting all 3 points emboldened us and delight was all around when the referee blew for fulltime.

We have now lost only once in 4 games. The win also snapped an unwanted winless streak that had been dragging from last season. We must not let this victory be a flash in the pan occurrence though and try to maintain this decent form.

Akim

match120: D2D Sports Sunday 3pm / 5pm League: Season 6 Division 2 match 4 vs Industmarine Football 1-1 draw

HT: 0-0 FT: 1-1
Scorers (assists)
Nas (Fairuz)

Akim (GK)

Kevin - Azmi - Ariel Shahril - Farid

Fairuz - Yongsheng - Rahman - Azman - Helmi

Nas

Subs:
Firdaus Masdar
Kelvin
Joharie
Huang

Our team in D2D league
Rest of league results

Siglap Sec 3pm - Kambing FC notched up its 2nd point of the season after battling to a 1-1 draw against familiar foes Industmarine Football. The match ended prematurely after the referee was subject to some unsightly scenes by the opponents and he made the decision to abandon it to our dismay. Nonetheless, on our part, the result was a small step in recovering from the tough lesson taught to us in the last league game. Despite being a familiar foe, IF featured a much-changed line-up of younger players. Our team made some changes from the last game as well, as I kept goal in place of the absent Wilson and the bench featured the return of Firdaus, our popular full-back.

The match was hardly exciting with few chances on goal by either side and apart from the goal I conceded, I did not have much to do. The first half was a scrappy affair for us, as we displayed little fluency with our passing and hardly threatened the opponents in the final third of the field. The opponents were more direct, and it was commendable that our defence again stood up to the test to keep them at bay, and I was not forced into making any save. We knew we were a much better team and the one area of improvement we could have worked on was giving more support to Nas, who cut a literally lone figure up front.

This we did in the second half, and we looked to be the more threatening team this time around. Both teams continued to create few chances on goal. Azman's freekick, destined for the top corner, was turned away superbly by the GK, but it was the spark we needed to bring life into our game. It was perhaps unsurprising that it took a set-piece to break the deadlock. From a corner, the ball fell loose to Fairuz outside the penalty box. With back to goal, he attempted a speculative shot towards goal and Nas was on hand to turn the shot beyond the reach of the off-guard GK to score his first league goal.

Our celebrations abruptly ended after IF equalized minutes later. We attempted to play offside from a set-piece and the long ball was flighted deep into our territory. No one failed to track an opponent who beat the offside trap, and simultaneously, I made an ill-judged decision to win the ball but was caught in no man's land instead. The opponent got to the ball first to send a looping header over me that just crept inside our upright.

The game almost worked in our favour after a controversial moment of the match surrounding the dismissal of an IF player. Farid won the ball fairly following a hard challenge on an opponent on the sidelines, but another opponent followed through with a tackle that caught Farid in the head. The referee had no hesitation to show the red card to him, for what I can only perceive as being for dangerous play. We failed to take advantage of our extra man, but another controversial moment that led to the dismissal of another IF player, would have made matters more interesting. However, the opponents did not react kindly to that decision and play was stopped for a few minutes as we all waited for the player to leave the field but he did not. IF futilely remonstrated with the referee and abuse was subsequently hurled towards him forcing him to call off the game.

Akim

match119: D2D Sports Sunday 3pm / 5pm League: Season 6 Division 2 match 3 vs Outsiders FC 0-7 loss

HT: 0-3 FT: 0-7

Wilson (GK)

Yazier - Andrew - Azmi - Akim

Joharie - Yongsheng - Huang - Azman - Helmi

Nas

Subs:
Farid
Kariim
Kelvin
Rahman

Our team in D2D league
Rest of league results

Macpherson Sec 3pm - One team bothered to show up and it was not us.

On a day when we got our new jerseys too.

Akim

match118: D2D Sports Sunday 3pm / 5pm League: Season 6 Division 2 match 2 vs Forza Ze East (FZE) 2-2 draw

HT: 1-0 FT: 2-2
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

match117: D2D Sports Sunday 3pm / 5pm League: Season 6 Division 2 match 1 vs Outsiders FC 1-4 loss

HT: 0-2 FT: 1-4
Scorers (assists)
Fairuz (Omar)
Yellow card
Azman

Akim (GK)

Kevin - Azmi - Idris - Fairuz

Andrew

Yazier - Azman - Helmi - Farhan

Ariel Shahril

Subs:
Farid
Omar
Kelvin
Rafeeq

Our team in D2D league
Rest of league results

Marsiling Sec 3pm - Having been promoted to division 2 without prior consultation, Kambing FC decided to take on the challenge anyway. We began that challenge with an abysmal 1-4 loss against newly-multi-promoted team, Outsiders FC, in an afternoon match played on Marsiling Sec artificial pitch.

An AWOL absentee allowed late replacement Shahril a starting striker berth up front. Wilson ruled himself out, so I filled in yet again as GK. Andrew was experimented in DM as I gambled on holding out for our first point(s) of the season. Defensive calamities were our undoing yet again while Outsiders FC converted their chances.

They took the lead early on. A through pass beat our offside trap and the striker shrugged off our defence to beat me at my near post in a near one-v-one situation. They doubled their lead shortly after when our defence failed to clear a high ball just outside the penalty box. The opponent pounced on the loose ball to strike from close range. We have to cut out that defensive lapse as it was the umpteenth time we had a conceded a goal that easily.

We had an opportunity to reduce the deficit following a super buildup of passing from defence, but Omar's shot, our first on target, failed to test the GK. We showed just then what we were capable of if we are patient enough to pass the ball. However, almost immediately after the restart, we were 3-0 down. Our earlier 'moment' belied our naivety and we had lost possession far too easily. The swift counterattack caused mayhem right in our penalty box. The same striker finished superbly from an acute angle to beat me at the far post.

We pulled a goal back through Fairuz. Shahril, playing in defence for this half, played a pinpoint ball to Omar, who did the same to lay off into the path of Fairuz. Fairuz surged forward to strike a powerful left-footed drive into the net. Fairuz, perhaps our most impressive player today, could have made the game interesting had he converted another effort but the GK, having ceded possession needlessly prior to that, saved brilliantly.

Sensing complacency within their ranks, Outsiders FC struck the bar once and I was forced into action twice to save on my goal-line. But they finally closed out the game to make it 4-1. Kevin was outjumped by his taller opponent following a challenge for a loose aerial ball in our box, and the player made no mistake from a good position.

We have had trouble with tall opponents whenever we played and this was another such game. But, given the size of the pitch, we were able to produce good spells in passing along the ground.

Defensive errors, for the 1st goal, when our midfield did not close down the initial pass, and again, failure to clear the ball just outside our box for the 2nd, meant we had an uphill task thereafter.

I was not pleased by some insipid displays after that, be it fatigue or otherwise, but the fighting spirit we normally displayed was somewhat muted, especially in the 2nd half. We have plenty of work ahead of us and we have to buck up if we do not want to be the whipping boys in this division.

Akim