Match #19 (26 Apr 09): We Crushed Minnows But Not After Surviving Their Spirited Fightback!

The last encounter between Marine Sunday and Minnows two months ago was a close one, with us snatching a keenly-matched 2 – 1 win. This time round, Minnows doubled their goals scored against us but we edged further than them, more than doubled our goals scored against them. It could have been tripled if Gan had converted the penalty, whose effort was put off by a strange scare tactic from our tactically-wise Melvin. We definitely deserved to be on the correct side of the final score, 5 – 2, but it did not do justice to the onslaught by Minnows in the 2nd half in their gallant attempt to overturn a half-time 4 – 1 deficit.

The tag team of Tang brothers put the issue beyond doubt by half-time as each grabbed a brace to remind us of the famed Ali Bakar-Isa Bakar brothers of Penang in the 1970s. As if to demonstrate their ample talent and skills, the elder Tang scored his goals from a couple of exquisite chips, the younger Tang put his head to good use. The elder Tang scored once from each foot, the younger Tang used both the right and left sides of his skull to head home his goals. Out of respect, the younger Tang provided the assist to the elder Tang’s first goal. Out of brotherly love, the elder Tang returned the favour by providing the precise cross for the younger Tang to head in the latter’s first goal.

Minnows were the livelier of both sides in the opening encounter but we proved to be the fine wine that enthused into life after being left to breathe. They were quicker to the ball, like hungry wolves devouring their succulent meat, but we were clinical with the ball, akin to experienced men knowing where to hit the G-spot. Teck Wah, from the right, picked out his elder sibling at the far left. Teck Chye feinted a move before cutting to his left and deftly chipped the ball over their tall keeper for our opening goal. 1 – 0! Shortly later, Teck Chye’s measured left-foot cross from the left found Teck Wah in the box like precision engineering. The younger Tang could do no wrong with a fine header to double our lead. 2 – 0! Despite their huff-and-puff, Minnows found themselves chasing the game. Chung Wen, admirably subduing their danger man, No 8, operating on the left wing, further compounded their misery with a direct ball down the right for Gan to do the fetching. Gan lobbed the ball into the box for Teck Wah to head in his 2nd goal and our 3rd. 3 – 0!

Then our typical lapse in concentration and lack of communication at the back allowed them to reduce the deficit. Teck Wah’s back pass found both Leo and Teck Chye napping, who were probably thinking the other would get the ball. Instead, Minnows’ forward nipped in to cross in from the right. Instead of heading the ball away, Weng Kwan chose to boot the ball but missed it totally, allowing Minnows’ striker to gleefully tuck the ball past Brandon, who in the first place should have called out to pluck the harmless looking cross from the air. 3 – 1. Their hope of recovery was brief as Teck Chye punished them again with another piece of top-class clinical finishing. Matt Le Tissier would have been amazed by what Teck Chye could do with both his feet. Teck Chye’s 2nd goal came off another exquisite chip from, this time, his right foot outside the box. Minnows’ custodian decided it was useless stretching himself as he helplessly watched the ball sailed over him into the net. 4 – 1 at half-time!

Minnows’ new-found vigour as they resumed the 2nd half unsettled us greatly. Ironically, it was when we retreated Teck Chye to fill in stopper position. Instead, perhaps too eager to find his hattrick, it slipped Teck Chye’s mind that he was supposed to prevent goals instead of scoring. Defending a long throw-in at the near post, he shockingly back-headed the ball past Brandon. Minnows’ striker at the far side was thankful for our generosity in defending and found their 2nd goal. 4 – 2! Teck Chye and Brandon were involved into another piece of non-communication mix-up in the six-yard box that almost allowed Minnows to snatch their 3rd goal. Enough was enough and See Chiang returned to take over the stopper role. It was not coincidental that from then on, Minnows found us hard to break down at the back. In contrast to the 1st half when we were sharp in front of goals, we were rather toothless in the 2nd half. It eventually took Mike’s quick thinking to steal the ball from in between their last man and the keeper and set Simon up for our 5th goal. Mike then threaded a through ball into the box for Gan, who was crudely checked in his path. Referee pointed to the box without hesitation. Instead of lining up for his hattrick, Teck Chye allowed Gan to convert the penalty but the latter’s failure in doing so was largely attributable to Melvin’s fine piece of work in distracting his own teammate.

The match degenerated into numerous niggling fouls by both sides but no further damage was inflicted on either side. 5 – 2 final score!

Man of The Match: Teck Chye (7 votes)
The last time we pitted against Minnows, Yong Chua was the MoTM with two goals worthy of any predatory striker. This time round, Teck Chye’s classy brace earned himself the honour.
“motm:teck chye. Score two long range goal and one good cross for our first goal, hope to see him remain or improve his scoring form in our future games....”
“MoTM goes to Teck Chye. Everything he does is magic...the two goals and the assists for his brother...”
“MOTM to Chye - 2 great goals and 1 assist. gentleman to give up chance for hatrick to Gan (who then missed)”
“MOTM=CHYE. Ever threatening. Effective link up play in midfield and rewarded with 2 great goals”
“motm: teck chye for two well taken goals, one assist, plus positive play on the left flank”
“Motm to teck chye. Not only controlled midfield, but helped out in defence by tracking opponents back and was in the thick of action with some tough tackling. His two goals were sublime beauties that gave their goalie no chance. It also helped settle our team given the speed the opponents closed us down.”
“Motm to classy Chye. 2 exquisite goals, 1 precise assist & versatility in defence.”

See Chiang came in 2nd with 3 votes:
“MOM: Chiang-the Rock #2.”
“MOM is See chiang for a impactful performance where he stamped his authority on the game with his first time clearances and timely interceptions.”
“The first 10 minutes of the 2nd half was chaotic at the back. Then See Chiang resumed his stopper role and played like a man possessed, clearing all the balls and breaking down their attacks. SC is the Man of The Match for me!”

The hardworking Simon won a couple of nominations:
“Didn't catch the whole game but what I saw of Simon was stellar. Hard young team to defend against and Simon played like a real tiger in defensive midfield, freeing up Lakesh and Chye to roam.”
“Simon and Lakesh were the glue that held the midfield together. Simon tips my vote for his inspiring display in breaking down the opponent's midfield forays.”

1 each for the guest player and our scoring machine:
“Lakesh. He basically control the mid very well and also distribute the ball excellently.”
“motm = Teck Wah for 2 brilliant goals.”