Match #14 (14 Mar 09): Strong finish (part 2) or Awful start

match report contributed by st

What the title should be is a matter of individual perception. To cut to the chase (which we didn't do for much of the first half hr, and were trying for much of the match), we had 13 against Terk's Law Society of 9-10 young turks. First half we loaned Wen (last to arrive before start of match), second, Mike (to reunite with his student).

We started with a high line with Kok Hock as last man and were beaten by LawSoc's power in the air, pace and movement. Despite starting 11 against 10, we were down 1-0 within minutes as we messed about in our last third, allowing their playmaker to intercept a loose ball, ran on to slot in a coolly taken goal. Huffing and puffing, we created a few good chances but our frontliners seemed to suffer from a confidence crisis (besides the F one). we were good for our equalizer when Leo turned in Leng's drilled ball from the right. After that it was practically all downhill. The rate of deterioration went by in a blink and soon we were 1-4 behind. I could only remember a 'Terk's special' when he got behind our defence and upon a small contact, went down smartly. The resultant penalty was well drilled low to the corner. We played one good move before the break that gave us a glimmer of hope. Gan received the ball back towards goal, laid it back to Chye and moved into space. Chye gave it back to him and with a moment's space, placed a defence splitting ball to find Chiang's well-timed run down the left. Chiang's emphatic toe-poked finish was reminiscent of Ronaldo's (the fat one) world cup winner in 2002. Half time 2-4 down, plenty of re-strategizing to do.

Chiang moved into center defence partnering Hock Leong in a bid to counter Terk's dominance. Kok Hock & Chye moved up one level each to midfield & attack respectively, adding bite in attack. We dominated aggressively at the restart and were taking the necessary risks. Unfortunately instead of reward, we were punished against the run of play when 2 of our defenders sandwiched their attacker when challenging for a counter-attack cross. Ref was quick to point to the spot, not for the first time or the last. Again, another spot on conversion and we were 2-5 down.

Taking a calculated gamble, Chiang was asked to maraud down the left again as Terk had taken over the keeper's jerseys. We now have a lighter weight stopper in Leo to partner Hock Leong but good readers of the game to repel attacks. Soon we began our strong finish. This time LawSoc messed about in the same area we conceded our first. Chiang pressed, Chye retrieved and Gan hit a curler from outside the box to beat the stranded keeper. 3-5, game on. Next Chye was shoved in the box and Ref did his favorite point, whistle and break into his only runs of the day routine. Chye deciding to give everyone a handicap in the goalscoring stakes, declined. St stepped up and smashed the penalty high and right away from the keeper's reach. More possession in their half continued. St then curled a corner to Chiang at the near post whose scream for the ball surprised all. Missing the ball altogether, the rest followed him as if he was the Hamelin pipe-piper, leaving Gan with the simplest of diving header goal. 5-5 and despite our urgency, the winner just wouldn't be conjured.

A strange strange match, where at times we looked destined to lose, and at others, good for cooking up an unlikely win. Strong finish, just not strong enough.

MOTM

Simon (4)
MOTM goes to simon. Dominant in the midfield and stringing passess effectively between defend & attack.
Motm to Simon. Good link up play for defenders and strikers. Commanding in midfield, especially in 2nd half, went in for some full blooded tackles and was the main playmaker for marine Sunday.
MOM is simon for all round play in controlling the game from midfield . hardworking and broke up a lot of attack from opponents and also supported the defence well.
Simon is voted for his hard work in using his brain for tactical deployment. He knows when to strengthen the defense and when to strengthen the attack at appropriate timing.

Teck Chye (3)

Teck Chye for a good ands composed game.
hard to think of one who did really well - MOTM to chye

[one without comments, aiyah y u so like tat!]

Wen (2)

MOM choice goes to Chung Wen for his steady display playing for and against us. Looks like he is injury free and fit again.

Chung Wen - good defensive work and simple, effective distribution from the back.

Chiang (2)
I rate Chiang as MOTM for his high workrate both in defence and during wing play. He scored the important 2nd goal before half time.
See Chiang, wonderful goal and as usual running non-stop throughout the game supporting defence and attack.

Gan (2)

Motm was Gan. Superb finishing to grab two goals.

Gan - for scoring the 2 goals...seems like his confidence is coming back.