match 113: D2D Sunday League Cup Round of 32 vs Kentridge Rangers 1-3 loss

HT: 1-1 FT: 1-3
Scorers (assists)
Omar (Azmi)
Man of the Match
Omar

Wilson (GK)

Fairuz - Salleh - Azmi - Daniel (debut)

Shafi - Akim - Huang - Omar

Farhan - Ariel Shahril

Subs:
Kevin
Fazli
Ken
Andy (debut)
Kamarul

Our team in D2D league
Rest of league results

In an evening game played at Tanglin Sec, Kambing FC were knocked out by Division 3 leaders Kentridge Rangers, in a round-of-32 match of the D2D Cup. We did well to finish mid-table in an inconsistent league campaign, and were looking forward to a decent cup run. Instead, we were handed a tough fixture. Still, there were, yet again, plenty of positives to take away from this loss and I feel rejuvenated to lead the team into next season.

Ariel Shahril, who impressed on his debut last week, started the match with Farhan in attack. Daniel made his debut in the starting line-up. Otherwise, it was a familiar team that started the match. On the bench, Kamarul, who debuted with Shahril s, was a welcome sight, Ken returned after a long absence, and Andy was poised to make his debut too. Long-time players Fazli and Kevin rounded up the rest of the bench.

We got off to a fantastic start early on when Omar scored to give us the lead. Azmi's freekick on the halfway line found Omar in space on the left flank. Our wingman maintained his composure to elude his defender with a feint and a twist, to dribble his way into the penalty box. Once inside, he looked up at goal and scored with an exquisite finish, to end his magical individual play, into the far corner of the goal.

Kentridge Rangers did not panic as we gave them plenty of possession of the ball. We defended assuredly at times but struggled to retain possession. Our opponents soon found chinks in our armour and adopted a gameplan to stretch both our flanks and played crossfield passes from midfield behind our two fullbacks. Fairuz and Daniel found it tough to cope with those passes as their wide midfielders constantly found themselves with time and space. They utilized these to full effect with a variety of tactical options to dribble their way or cross the ball into our penalty box.

One such occasion led to the equalizer. A counter-attack led to another crossfield pass to the right flank. The opponent drilled in a low cross-cum-shot towards Wilson, who could only fumbled the ball in front of him. An incoming team-mate pounced onto the loose ball to scramble home the equalizer.

Kamarul, who came on for Shahrul early on, came close with a long-range effort that just skied over the bar. Wilson was then being forced to call into action as KR continued to keep up the pressure. He fumbled another low cross but reacted quickly to grab the loose ball, and later made a fantastic save from the opponent left midfielder, who had moments earlier slalomed his way through with a dribble. Failing to deal with those solo dribbles was one of the more prominent weaknesses in our team.

The half-time break provided reprieve from the growing discomfort caused by KR's confident performance in the first half. We made numerous tactical changes, with Shahril s slotting in alongside Azmi in the heart of defence, with Salleh and Kevin deployed at right-back and left-back. Andy, who came on in the first half to assist Huang to minimize the damage in midfield, retained the destroyer role while Fazli and Ken took the right mid and left mid slots. Kamarul and I led the attack.

This team that began the second half was a different animal from the relatively tame creature we had put out in the first. We dominated from the restart and played our best football in the match.

Kamarul and I linked up often to show signs of a promising partnership and one such link-up play almost led us to regain the lead. I latched onto a long pass from Shahril s, and played it first-time towards the penalty box into the path of Kamarul, who had surged from midfield. Kamarul opted not to shoot first-time, and the opportunity was gone when he lost control of the ball after rounding the GK.

We continued to keep up the pressure as the midfield quartet of Fazli, Ken, Andy and Huang became an influential core of our team's performance, such that our defence was untroubled and Wilson was picking on the opponents loose long punts. Shahril s gave us a tenacious and commanding element with some committed tackles. Ken was very lively and although he disappointed with the final pass, he showed glimpses of his potential. Fazli's delivery, on the other hand, gave us some opportunities to sustain our strangehold in and around the opponents' penalty box.

It seems as though we were the more likely team to break the deadlock, and it was heard that the KR players were telling themselves to snatch control of the game. It was disappointing then, when against the run of play, they took the lead from their first chance in the half. We lost possession in midfield and KR launched a counter-attack and switched play to the right flank. The opponent supplied a perfect delivery for his team-mate who scored with a header that gave Wilson no chance.

The balance of play was slowly shifting away towards a more neutral level as KR finally got their game going, even as our performance level were starting to dip. We saw plenty of the ball in KR's half, but could not create meaningful chances. Wilson and co. kept us in the game as Wilson was forced to call into action more often as the game wore on. I cannot fault the commitment of the team, which was exemplified by Azmi's tackle on one occasion, and at only 1-2 down, we still had time to salvage a result, with Farhan, Shafi, Omar, Fairuz and Daniel all coming on to make way for tiring legs.

Ultimately, KR secured their passage into the round of 16 with the decisive goal. We again did not deal with an opponent dribble, who surged from midfield towards our penalty box past a couple of our players. As he drove a low, stiff shot, it seems Wilson had made a fantastic save but the ball cruelly bounced over into an empty net.

Another season ends without silverware after this cup tie defeat. It has been a frustrating stop-start season, especially in the league, but I hope our performance in this last game can spur the team forward in a new campaign with an expected fresh start all around.

Akim

match112: D2D Sports Sunday 3pm / 5pm League: Season 5 Division 3 match 14 vs Redbacks 2-2 draw

HT: 1-0 FT: 2-2
Scorers (assists)
Nathaniel (Helmi)
Nathaniel (Rey)
Man of the Match
Nathaniel

Akim (GK)

Kevin - Hilmann - Ben (debut) - Farid

Liyong (debut) - Helmi - Huang - Nathaniel (debut)

Yongsheng - Rey (debut)

Subs:
Azmi
Rahman
Joharie
Kamarul (debut)
Ariel Shahril (debut)
Rafeeq
Sham

Our team in D2D league
Rest of league results


Akim

match109: D2D Sports Sunday 3pm / 5pm League: Season 5 Division 3 match 13 vs Kentridge Rangers 1-5 loss

HT: 0-1 FT: 1-5
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

D2D Sports Sunday 3pm / 5pm League: Season 5 Division 3

Sunday 17 Oct
Kambing FC vs Kentridge Rangers @ Bendemeer Sec @ 5 pm
HUAT FC vs Unido FC
Forza Ze East (FZE) vs Osiris FC

Preview
Our team in D2D league

Akim

match108: D2D Sports Sunday 3pm / 5pm League: Season 5 Division 3 match 12 vs Forza Ze East (FZE) 1-4 loss

HT: 1-2 FT: 1-4
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

D2D Sports Sunday 3pm / 5pm League: Season 5 Division 3

Sunday 10 Oct
Kambing FC vs Forza Ze East (FZE) @ Bedok North Sec @ 3 pm
Redbacks FC vs Osiris FC
Unido FC vs Kentridge Rangers

Preview
Our team in D2D league

Akim

D2D Sports Sunday 3pm / 5pm League: Season 5 Division 3, D2D Sun Cup

Sunday 3 Oct
Kambing FC - no league game - friendly match @ Yio Chu Kang Sec @ 3 pm
Unido FC vs Redbacks FC

Preview
Our team in D2D league

D2D Sun Cup

Originally posted here

1st round
FC GENESIS vs Flamboyant Esperados
Inglourious CF vs Cochise Kings
Vipers Social vs Outsiders FC
Fat Uncle United vs Villagers FC
Global FA vs Macsters FT
S.S.vs Ultras
Luchaz Locos vs Ishkawa FC
Sarcofago vs AC Team
Woodland Vista FC vs HUAT FC

Matchday squad
GK
Wilson
Bay
Danial

Def
2. Firdaus Masdar
3. Andrew
4. Azmi
5. Shahril
6. Fazli

Mid
7. Akim
8. Rahman
9. Azman
10. Azhari
11. Omar
12. Kelvin
13. Shafi
14. Helmi

Att
15. Huang
16. Rafeeq
17. Farhan
18. Joharie

Standby

Farid (d) - exams
Yazier (d)
Mubarak (d)
Rashid (d) - NS
Calvin (d)
Kevin (d)
Fazli (d) - another Fazli still waiting to feature in his 2nd game
Amin (d) - tall Amin
Zaki (d)
Fairuz (d)

Karim (m)
Amin (m) - speedy winger
Shiva (m)

Imran (s) - NS
Syafiq (s)
Syaifudean (s) - injured
Khairi (s)
Khairul (s)

Akim

match107: D2D Sports Sunday 3pm / 5pm League: Season 5 Division 3 match 11 vs HUAT FC 2-1 win

HT: 2-0 FT: 2-1
Scorers (assists)
Helmi (Kelvin)
Omar (Akim)
Man of the Match
Omar (5) - well-taken goal and was a consistent outlet for the team
Helmi (4)
Andrew (2)
Akim
Rahman - constant screaming and shouting helped us achieve a crucial win

Wilson (GK)

Yazier - Akim - Fazli - Fairuz

Shafi - Huang - Rahman - Omar

Helmi - Kelvin

Subs:
Andrew

Our team in D2D league
Rest of league results

I couldnt help but feel saddened by the results we have gotten in our last few matches so far despite it being forgivable due to the team being subject to very testing circumstances in those few matches. We could have scraped in a result here and there during Ramadan and we did come close to emerging victorious in some games had we made the extra effort that we have been putting in in most of our games for which again i must say, in the context of the circumstances we face, would require a superhuman mental strength and effort in all of us. I accept that we had done our best then, and though a bit disheartening to have come out 2nd best I can sleep soundly knowing that we had done all we can.

Fast Forward to yesterday - our first match since the league reopens (for us anyway) after Hari Raya - where we face a familiar opponent in Huat FC where head-to-head records show nothing in our favour. Its time for many of us (including some of our Chinese brothers in the team) to get rid of the Lontongs, Lodehs and all that kinda stuff OUT OF OUR SYSTEM. School, Work and Hari Raya commitments made me rather ill-prepared coming to the game and with the scare of a diarrhea attack an hour before the match, i was having my doubts.

We welcome back a few players back in the team, and I was looking forward to this match like any other. Huat FC started with 9 men initially and that they were under-strengthed was evident when we controlled the game comfortably in the first half. Their 10th player came in a few minutes later, but still Huat FC was reeling back from their own wayward passes and utter disorganisation. A swift counterattack saw Kelvin laying off a pass to Helmi on the edge of the box before Helmi executed a lovely strike aimed for the top right corner of the goal that had just enough weight to maintain course despite the interception from the gloves of the opposing keeper.

Huat FC later responded to the goal by showing more aggression with their 11th player just entering the field and they managed in a few shots at goal, but good defending on our side led to their mostly uneventful possession. Huat’s lack of organisation showed in the manner we scored our second when Omar was left free to exploit our left passage leaving the two Huat on-rushing defenders for dead before coolly slotting home the ball to the keeper’s left. We were cruising.

There was one incident later on in the half where the Huat captain, Wesley brushed me off with both his arms to dispossess me. In honest truth, it wasnt malicious, and would not be the sort of challenges i would call on for a foul if I were to be ref, but the past few matches where i was being penalised for every challenge similar to that even though tamer but it got me insinuated for a moment that the foul wasnt called. I responded with another robust challenge that yet again the referee called for. Shortly after, the whistle was blown for half time and that deprived me from another chance to embarrass myself.

2nd half was another nightmare for the team. We were obviously slacking off. Our passing was not the greatest and it looks like we were going to concede another silly goal. I was so sure i would have put my last dollar on it. That we did it later on was no surprise, when premature calls for Wilson to clear his line and deal with a long punt got him in no man’s land as the ball swerved away from him, before being lobbed into goal. 2-1 and though there were claims of offside by our defence, i think we deserved to concede and that there were NO EXCUSES. I could feel the deja vu where we let the game slip away from us, and I was more determined than ever not to let that happen. No way Jose, not on my watch at least.

I was getting real sick of our complaining attitude. If you want the win, work for it guys. No one is going to serve it to us on a silver platter. As a defender you have to get your task clear- That is to prevent the success of opponent’s attacks. You dont ever complain of a teammate’s poor pass, stop in your tracks and give up focus on the game, look away and complain. At least not while the game is still in play and there is imminent danger that the opponent might take the opportunity to rape our defence. You track back and do priority number 1 - That is, to prevent the success of opponent’s attacks.

I dont think I am the most vocal player on the pitch most times, but when push comes to shove, I will let my ‘feelings’ known there and then, on the pitch. We still have the half ahead of us and lets just focus on whatever shall we do with it. I tried my very best within my own very limited capability to walk my talk, and I know i couldnt do it alone. I needed the team to be support my motives and i was glad that for whatever reason that could be given on the pitch we slowly came together to fight off the Huat advances as a more effective unit. We were taking the game back to them, and gave them a few scares especiall so when the ever so quick and dynamic Huang wiggled away from the Huat backline to smash the ball against the frame of the post. It could have killed the game for us, but it didnt, so Huat pressured us and responded with two shots against the frame of the post in the few moments whenever we gave them a line of sight to our goal.

Huat was piling up the pressure to get their equaliser, but a spirited display of defending got us in the end to where we wanted to be. Wilson got a good hand to keep out a last minute goal opportunity, and was brave to get down and claim loose balls in the heart of goal before someone manages to knock in, accidentally or not, the ball into our goal. We had won our first game since our three Ramadan defeats, and it seems like we have broken the Kambing tradition of losing our Hari Raya games. Just know that we were lucky and that the referee had been kind to us. But then, it is our job to let refereeing decisions be the least of our concerns. We need to do our part for the win.

Rahman

D2D Sports Sunday 3pm / 5pm League: Season 5 Division 3

Sunday 26 Sep
HUAT FC vs Kambing FC - Clementi Woods Sec @ 3pm
Unido FC vs Osiris FC
Forza Ze East (FZE) vs Team Tsubasa
Kentridge Rangers vs Redbacks FC

Preview
Our team in D2D league

Akim

match106: D2D Sports Sunday 3pm / 5pm League: Season 5 Division 3 match 10 vs Osiris FC 1-4 loss

HT: 0-0 FT: 1-4
Scorers (assists)
Farhan (pen)
Man Of The Match
Akim (6)
Salleh (5) - solid rightback and excellent when overlapping
Shahril (2)
Farhan (2)
Danial (1)
Azman (1)

Danial (GK)

Salleh - Shahril - Azmi - Firdaus Masdar

Kelvin - Azman - Akim - Shafi

Farhan - Huang

Subs:
Andrew
Bay
Karim
Joharie
Helmi
Rafeeq

Our team in D2D league
Rest of league results

Kambing FC suffered its 3rd consecutive defeat on a match played at Seng Kang Secondary. It was a marked improvement from the defeat last week as we dominated the game from the start, and did not shy away to take the game to the opponents. Thus, the scoreline was an unfair reflection of our performance.

We did everything right except score a goal in the first half. We utilized both flanks to good effect as both Shafi and Kelvin enjoyed their attacking forays, with Salleh, making his first start for the team, excelling at right back and provided an extra dimension. Huang, who has been a versatile, utility player recently, impressed with his back-to-goal display as the main striker and Farhan was a constant link in his supporting striker role. Our defence was relatively untroubled from the sporadic opponent counterattacks that led to some physical battles and tussles for the ball. Danial, returning in goal after a long absence, comfortably dealt with the odd loose balls.

I had an early stab at goal from a corner, while Farhan's header from Kelvin's cross was not wide of the mark and Huang could not react to a loose ball in the goalmouth area. The opponent GK did not have to make that many saves but we continued to threaten, although we were wayward at times with our passes, especially in midfield, which continued in the second half. We were playing perhaps our best first half football but had no goals to show for it.

I will take the blame for the team selection for the start of the second half, which snuffed out some of the bite and menace that we had shown in the first half. Karim, on as a substitute and also returning from a long absence, showed he still has plenty of room for improvement. While he has plenty of pace, he must learn to use the ball effectively. He is still a young player though, and has plenty of time on his side. Bay, one of our GKs up till now, made his first outfield appearance for the team at left-back. His inexperience showed but he also showed glimpses of potential and added balance to the team as a left-legged player. Apart from that, other than Salleh who replaced Azman in midfield, we had a regular team for the start of the second half.

We were not unduly weakened and retained possession long enough to launch decent attacking moves. We let ourselves down in the final third, however, where the attack fizzled out too quickly as we failed to crank the pressure up there.

The opponents started to come into their own. Danial made his first crucial save of the game early in the second half, palming away a likely goal. Against the run of play, they took an undeserved lead after a good build-up led to an attack down the right flank. While the cross was whipped in well into the danger area, there was a suspicion of offside when the scorer came behind our defence to head in past Danial. In spite of that, we could and should have defended that cross better.

We almost quickly equalized when Helmi's freekick struck the crossbar and with their defence all at sea, the ball almost dropped for either Azmi and Andrew to tap in from close range. Unfortunately, it did not drop kindly enough.

We were punished when the opponents doubled their lead. As mentioned earlier, we were wayward with our passes in midfield at times and this time, I was guilty of giving the ball away which led to a quick counterattack. As the opponent received the pass on the left flank, in another close, but right, offside position, he bore down on goal past Andrew rather too casually, and played the ball across the penalty box. His teammate made no mistakes to beat Danial at his near post.

They tripled their lead when, yet again, we lost the ball in midfield. The counterattack was on and another tight offside decision went our way, but this time, Bay may have played the opponent on. Our defence was split across the middle as the opponent got through on a one-on-one with Danial. Our custodian made the first save and the ball fell loose on the left flank to an opponent. He dribbled past two defenders and took a shot to score when he beat Danial, which was again at the near post.

We were down and out but we continued to play football and intricate, close passing beckoned a good spell for us. The opponents defended deep and open space in the dangerous areas was a luxury. We manage to carve them apart but there will always be another defender to cover. Some refereeing decisions frustrated us including a blatant foul on myself that was not called but we finally scored a goal, a scant consolation it might be.

Good work on the right flank from a throw-in again led to dainty, passing football, which eventually fell to me outside the box. I have been dreaming of this moment for so long as I surged into the box with the ball and was taken down to earn the penalty. Fatigued, I appointed Farhan to convert the spot-kick and he did so with a composed, but tricky effort down the middle, with the GK fortunately sidefooted.

Immediately after the restart, the opponents regained their 3 goal advantage when our defence was split again through the middle. The opponent took on the shot well with a confident goal. My late effort, a long-range shot that was just over the bar, was the last action of the game as we suffered a hefty defeat.

The desire to gain something from this match was apparent, even on the sidelines, right from the start. We put up a strong display but we again failed to convert our chances and found the net only late in the match. In a matter of minutes, we were undone in the second half against the run of play. As a result, the defeat, coupled with a flattering scoreline in favor of the opponents, was tough to take. All around, we can still take heart from our own performance. Tactical-wise, I am not going to shirk away with my decision-making, and I have learnt a lesson or two. On hindsight, the team selection for the start of the second half, coming off the back of an impressive first, was perhaps something I should not have tinkered with too much. We will build again.

With four league games to go, including matches with two title contenders, we are again in a position to have some say in the destiny of the title, which we will now concede is probably out of our hands. We turn our focus to the cup competition for our first silverware, but not without aiming to end the league season with a flourish too. A two weeks' break beckoned with the holidays around the corner, so I hope we take this time to rejuvenate ourselves away from soccer.

Akim

Shahril: Midfield did not track counterattacks. Better to stop playing high line. I think Andrew is more comfortable at centre with Azmi (edited).

My note: We will try out a dedicated DM next game and will revert Andrew alongside Azmi

Salleh has probably nailed down the rightback role and I hope to see more of him. His versatility is useful to the team.

Bay has a good left leg and we will play him more for experience and balance. He can always look to Firdaus for reference, who has been a vastly improved player from when he first started out.

D2D Sports Sunday 3pm / 5pm League: Season 5 Division 3

Sunday 5 Sep
Kambing FC vs Osiris FC - Pei Hwa Sec @ 5pm
HUAT FC vs Forza Ze East ( FZE)
Redbacks Football Club vs Kentridge Rangers

Preview
Our team in D2D league

Akim

match105: D2D Sports Sunday 3pm / 5pm League: Season 5 Division 3 match 9 vs Forza Ze East (FZE) 0-3 loss

HT: 0-2 FT: 0-3
Scorers (assists)
-
Man Of The Match
Akbar (7) - superb debut in goal only to be let down by a poor team performance, his punts for our strikers were excellent but again not reciprocated. one penalty save as well and helpless for all 3 goals
Huang (4) - hardworking and easily the best outfielder on show
Andrew (1)
Azman (1)
Azmi (1)
Rahman (1)

Akbar (GK)

Yazier - Andrew - Azmi - Firdaus Masdar

Omar - Azman - Akim - Shafi

Rahman - Farhan

Subs:
Kevin
Huang
Salleh
Shahreen
Kelvin
Rafeeq

Our team in D2D league
Rest of league results

After last week's defeat in the near west, Kambing FC lost more ground in the title race after suffering a second defeat on the trot, this time against league leaders Forza Ze East in the far east pitch of Greenview Secondary School. We were given some hype in the run-up to the game, as this was a top-of-the-table clash yet again, but our meek performance in a one-sided defeat suggests we are still found wanting.

We did not have the most stable of starts; fitness, nervousness or simply lack of desire and maybe a combination of all three and some other factors showed in the game. We certainly failed to gain any foothold in the early stages against our numerically-inferior team, as it was the opponents who took the initiative and gained confidence as the game wore on.

We did find ourselves in great attacking space in the final third but team-work did not seem to exist for some reason. Still, we had two great opportunities to open the scoring. Farhan was presented with both chances, and where he would normally have pounced on the first chance with ease, which was carved from a great punt downfield by debutant GK Akbar, Farhan could not react sharply to turn the ball early on. He missed the second chance, which had followed our first real, and one of only a bare few, great build-ups but his header from 6 yards from Shafi's cross was just over the bar.

The opponents took the lead from the penalty when Huang, coming on for Yazier who was caught out far too often at right-back by the speedy and burly winger, accidentally handled the ball in the box while attempting a clearance. Huang was again the centre of attraction for the second goal. Both him and the opponent striker were chasing the long punt from the opponents' half, when the striker seemed to foul him outside our penalty box, suddenly found himself on a one-v-one situation with our GK and made no mistake to double the lead going into half-time.

We immediately improved after the restart and almost pulled a goal back after another rare build-up. We continued to press and we missed a chance yet again to score when Rafeeq was unable to hit the target after being put through on goal inside the box. The desperate momentum fizzled out as both teams took turn to probe each other, with FZE creating the better chances.

The opponents were awarded another penalty through a dubious decision given by the referee. Akbar enhanced his reputation with the team to make a good save from the spot. The miss did not change the reflection of the opponents' performance as they finally put the result beyond doubt when they made it 3-0 after an opponent headed in a cross from the right flank at the near post. Shafi's effort, which was the team's last meaningful chance, was saved almost nonchalantly by the GK which hit the post, and it was perhaps we were destined not to find the net today.

We were caught out by a blitz of a combination of direct, physical and clinical approach coupled with the combination of factors I mentioned when I started writing this. We blew a chance yet again to top the table, but it was the manner that we capitulated which was a more serious concern. As the season goes right down to the wire, in which we seem to be caught in another tight title race, we should not be asking questions of ourselves in the midst of the crossfire, especially when we appeared to have answered them earlier in the season. I am reserving judgment for now and will let our football do the talking for the remainder of the season.

Akim

D2D Sports Sunday 3pm / 5pm League: Season 5 Division 3

Sunday 29 Aug
Forza Ze East (FZE) vs Kambing FC - Greenview Sec @ 5pm
Osiris FC vs HUAT FC
Kentridge Rangers vs Team Tsubasa

Preview
Our team in D2D league

Akim

match104: D2D Sports Sunday 3pm / 5pm League: Season 5 Division 3 match 8 vs Team Tsubasa 2-4 loss

HT: 1-0 FT: 2-4
Scorers (assists)
Rahman (Omar)
Huang (-)
Man Of The Match
Akim (5)
Shahril (4) - tried his best in defence
Bay (2)
Huang (2) - broke his goalscoring drought and proved his versatility yet again

Bay (GK)

Huang - Shahril - Azmi - Shafi

Omar - Azman - Akim - Helmi

Rahman - Joharie

Subs:
Andrew
Firdaus Masdar

Our team in D2D league
Rest of league results

Kambing FC lost some ground in the title race in Div 3 after suffering an emphatic 2-4 loss to Team Tsubasa on the small pitch at Clementi Town Sec. As a result, Team Tsubasa and Kentridge Rangers, who handed league leaders Forza Ze East a 1-0 defeat, leapfrogged us into 2nd and 3rd, pushing us into 4th place, and one point separating all 4 teams at the top.

The team started with Bay, who made his first appearance this season in the friendly last week, in goal again, albeit through some miscommuncation with regular GK Wilson. Jo, who also played well last week, was also given a start up front. It started so well for us when Azman and I had snap shots that went just high over the bar. The opponents eased into the game and soon, it was a real battle of wits between both teams to make space on a less than regular-sized pitch. We took the initiative after one such battle was won, when Omar was afforded time on the right flank with the ball and earned a freekick. Omar took the freekick himself and Rahman, starting as a striker yet again, reacted first to head in his first league goal of the season.

The opponents then powered their way into the game, as we lost out on almost every aerial challenges, from both the opponents' and our own punts. Shahril was barking orders from the back, demanding the team to get tighter on the opponents. Time and again, however, we were caught out by knockdowns into empty spaces followed by some hard running with dribbles and forays toward our penalty box. We were chasing shadows at times.

We conceded numerous corners and set-pieces and the short distances proved to be a real menace for us as we were simply lacklustre in defending them, if not for Bay's heroics in goal, a goal-line clearance by Shafi and frantic clearances in the goalmouth. We were decent while going forward but lacked the team mentality or the composure to retain possession. We were relieved to go into the break with a 1-0 lead.

Necessary shuffle was made, though a bare looking bench was not good for team morale. There was a pensive mood at half-time, I feel, but we talked the game through up till then, and motivated each other for the team. However, we defended too deeply after the restart. The opponents gained key momentum as Bay was tested repeatedly in goal but our custodian was putting on a show with fine stops, even though his clearance was not wholly convincing. The opponents were not deterred and their patience paid off when they finally scored a deserved equalizer from another corner.

Jo and I came on for Rahman and Helmi and we immediately pegged them back with good combination play leading to the chance of the match for us. I was played through by Jo at the edge of the box, and in turn, I released Huang with a nicely-weighted pass in his path. Inexplicably, with only the GK to beat, and despite a marker heckling him close behind, Huang spurned the glorious opportunity for the team to regain the lead when he fluffed his shot. That miss seemed to spur him on however, as he doggedly worked back and forth for the team, as he attempted to make up for the miss.

It was a valiant effort but we were punished by another defensive lapse as the opponents took a 2-1 lead. When Azmi failed to control a pass at the back, the opponent capitalized and rolled a pass just outside the box for his team-mate, who took it first time to drive a low shot home.

We fell further behind minutes later. Bay had again saved brilliantly from an opponent's shot off a cross, which seemed to deflect off the crossbar. The ball rebounded kindly on our goal-line as the opponent scrambled in the loose ball.

We were deflated and things got worse when we conceded another goal from another corner. No one failed to track the surged run of the scorer, who powerfully headed the ball into the net.

We were heading for our heaviest defeat of the season but creditably, we played on to put some pressure on the opponents. I had a freekick saved and our other freekicks and corners at least made the GK worked about in his box. Our persistence finally paid off when Huang finally made amends to make the score more respectable. Another freekick was not cleared by their defence, which followed a mad scramble for the loose ball. The GK was taken out of the equation and Huang's header, off a loose high ball, beat a defender on the goal-line into the net. It meant Huang had broke a long scoring drought to score his first leaue goal of the season.

The scoreline was a fair reflection of our defeat. Defensive lapses played a part but the opponents did well to create their own luck. There was no lack of desire from both teams, with some meaty challenges, Huang's doggedness, Shahril's voice and Rahman's tenacity all highlighting a part of the team's will to win. Yet, we needed to show more to prove we are genuine title contenders and in that, we failed to do so. Still, with only one point behind the league leaders and sitting in 4th place, I hope this defeat, and the disappointing 2-2 draw in our previous league game before this, will provide some platform for us to finish the season as best as we can, even as we continue the hunt for glory.

Akim

D2D Sports Sunday 3pm / 5pm League: Season 5 Division 3

Sunday 22 Aug
Kambing FC vs Team Tsubasa - Clementi Town Sec @ 5pm
Forza Ze East (FZE) vs Kentridge Rangers
HUAT FC vs Redbacks Football Club
Osiris FC vs Unido FC

Preview
Our team in D2D league

Akim

D2D Sports Sunday 3pm / 5pm League: Season 5 Division 3

Sunday 15 Aug
Kambing FC - no league game - friendly match @ Sembawang Sec @ 5pm
Forza Ze East (FZE) vs Osiris FC
Unido FC vs Kentridge Rangers
Redbacks Football Club vs Team Tsubasa

Preview
Our team in D2D league

Akim

match102: D2D Sports Sunday 3pm / 5pm League: Season 5 Division 3 match 7 vs Unido FC 2-2 draw

HT: 2-0 FT: 2-2
Scorers (assists)
Farhan (pen)
Farhan (Helmi)
Man Of The Match
Farhan (8) - finally back to his old scoring form with two goals, scored a nice 2nd goal
Shahril (7) - the second of our key players this week marshalled the defence superbly
Yellow card:
Omar (1st half)

Wilson (GK)

Andrew - Shahril - Azmi - Firdaus Masdar

Kelvin - Akim - Azhari - Shafi

Helmi

Farhan

Subs:
Huang
Omar
Azman
Rafeeq

Our team in D2D league
Rest of league results

On the expansive, grassy pitch of Tanjong Katong Sec, Kambing FC spurned a glorious opportunity to go top of the table, for the first time in its short history, after conceding a last minute equalizer to draw 2-2 against Unido FC. Farhan scored both our goals in the first half and we led 2-0 for the majority of the match. We were then pegged back after the half-time break, but it was our lapse in concentration for both of the opponents' goal that undid us. Still, the point gained is better than nothing. The size of the pitch was a fitness test for us and we had to work harder for one another than usual, but we had to pace ourselves too. The gaps between defence, midfield and attack meant we had to cover the ground efficiently and moved the ball quicker to get further up the pitch. Our opponents faced the same problem and in the first half at least, we marginally had more of the ball.

Patience was the key as we kept going forward into the opponents' half but the attacking intent in the final third was not as sharp as we would have liked. Both Helmi and Farhan, who returned to the team after his dismissal two league matches' ago, saw a lot of the ball with decent support from midfield that kept tidy possession in the middle of the pitch. Our defence, marshalled superbly by Shahril, who also returned to the team after two games' absence, coped well with the opponents' deep, long passes as they adopted route one football. We had to be cautious of their lone striker, who was clearly the main threat for them, was adept at holding up the ball and bringing his team-mates into play deep in our half. Azhari and myself, and later Azman, took turns to try and shackle him to almost little effect at times, which made Shahril and co. heckled us and rightly so too.

We took the lead from the penalty spot midway through the first half. Another patient build-up paved the way for an attack deep in opponents' territory from the left flank. Our opponents failed to deal with a loose ball, and Shafi, who had made a forceful run into the box, was felled by the opponent to earn the penalty. Farhan stepped up to calmly sent the GK the wrong way.

We doubled our lead minutes later from a simple move that started with a freekick in our half. Shahril played a crossfield pass to Helmi on the left flank, who weighed his pass for Farhan to perfection on the edge of the box. Farhan then showed us why he is the goalpoacher for the day with a classic striker's goal, as he latched onto Helmi's pass, casually brushed his marker aside to power his way into the box and thundered in a shot past the helpless GK.

Wilson has to be credited for making the save of the match almost immediately after the restart. The opponents' main threat controlled a throw in on the edge of our box, turning me aside far too easily in the process, and drilled a stunning shot that was destined for goal. Our custodian was equal to the task and made a superb, reflexive fingertip save to push the shot over the crossbar, and enable us to preserve our 2-0 lead at half-time.

Our opponents were all guns blazing in the second half, mindful that the game was slipping away from their hands. They dominated and peppered our goal with a few shots. Wilson was almost embarrassed when, from an opponents' long freekick, the ball bounced wickedly in our box and threatened to lob over him into our goal, but he recovered to palm it away over the bar. We tolerated and nullified the opponents' domination with our best spell of the second half. Against the run of play, Shafi had the best chance to extend our lead, when he was played in on the left flank by Omar's defence splitting pass from midfield. Our curly-haired winger suddenly had a clear route to goal, and with a defender closing in on him on the edge of the box, Shafi's low shot beat the GK across the face of his goal but the ball agonizingly struck the outside of the upright into safety. Huang also almost benefited from a cross on the right flank but he failed to make a decent connection, as we pressured the opponents' in their half.

Just when we looked to keep the momentum going, our opponents finally pulled a goal back and no surprise as to who scored their goal. We gave the ball away on the left flank on the halfway line, which led to the opponents' counterattack. Our rearguard were all over the place, and their main threat capitalized on the sudden confusion as he dribbled past three of our players towards our goal and scored a goal to cap off the incisively quick break.

We still had a 2-1 lead and tried to slow down the game to secure the victory. To their credit, the opponents did not back down and mounted long throws ala Fazli from their right-back into our box. We repelled the ensuing waves of attack with time running out but with a minute remaining, we finally caved in to concede a late equalizer. The opponents launched another long throw from the right flank towards the near post, which was headed by an opponent across our goal. His team-mate stole in to head the loose ball home to rapturous celebration. Omar's defending was the subject of a post-mortem inquiry, as he had failed to make any sort of challenge to head the loose ball away before the opponent could get to it. On the other hand, it does take a natural Vidic- or Ivanovic-type defending against such off-the-ball attacking runs, like what the opponent did. In that, at least, we learnt a valuable lesson for our future games.

On reflection, the draw was perhaps a fair result. However, we were still disappointed to concede such a dramatic last-minute equalizer, when a victory would have otherwise seen us start the fasting month at the top of the table, even if it is a slender lead. The finish line is in sight and a strong finish is on the cards. We must remain optimistic, even as we continue to enjoy an Indian summer in our 3rd season in the league. On a brighter note, we are now one goal away from scoring our 200th goal. Farhan, who has scored 3 league goals after this game, is also one goal away from reaching an historic 40th personal 'competitive' goal for the team. I must also compliment Huang, one of our unsung heroes, and also one of our longest-serving players, for filling in at right-back and proving his versatility yet again.

Akim

D2D Sports Sunday 3pm / 5pm League: Season 5 Division 3

Sunday 8 Aug
Unido FC vs Kambing FC - Tanjong Katong Sec 3pm
Team Tsubasa vs Osiris FC
HUAT FC vs Kentridge Rangers
Forza Ze East (FZE) vs Redbacks Football Club

Preview
Our team in D2D league

Akim

D2D Sports Sunday 3pm / 5pm League: Season 5 Division 3

Sunday 1 Aug
Kambing FC vs Kentridge Rangers - Clementi Woods Sec 5pm
HUAT FC vs Unido FC
Forza Ze East (FZE) vs Team Tsubasa
Osiris FC vs Redbacks Football Club

Preview
Our team in D2D league

Akim

D2D Sports Sunday 3pm / 5pm League: Season 5 Division 3 - August Fixtures

1 August 2010 @ 5pm @ Clementi Woods Sec: Kentridge Rangers
8 August 2010 @ TBA: Unido FC
15 August 2010 @ TBA: HUAT FC
22 August 2010 @ TBA: Team Tsubasa
29 August 2010 @ TBA: Osiris FC

Akim