Match #27 (17 June 2012): Trinity Trample

Match report by the Rock!

We started the game with zero unemployment. Mel's nephew was called in beef up the numbers as we decided to go slow & not fast in our game plan... & he proved to be a much needed substitute later on in the game when our legs struggled to hold out. And we were glad to be further reinforced by a last minute turn-up by Mark & the game commenced with two substitutes. Game on with very much the same problem that we would like to perform a comeback - conceding a goal first to a very well-taken & low shot by Trinity's striker after tearing down our right flank. Our opponents are firing a lot of crosses that caught the defence back-paddling on numerous occasions. But, as usual, comeback we did & Wah showed Trinity Boys his version of a low & well-taken shot on the right flank and we are back in business. First half finished with one a-piece.

2nd half started with substitutions & rotation of positions according to the strength of our players - moving Mel to last man & Kwan to the left back. Credit to Mel's strategy in keeping the defence line low which congested our half with midfielders compacting the mid line doing their 'loansharking activities' - harassment. Gan did a great job as a central midfielder doing the harassment work with his henchmen - Mark (defensive central mid), Woon & Khong, left & right mid respectively. This deployment cut off crosses by our opponents & we started to string passes together after winning the ball in the midfield & defence areas. Tiredness started to seep in but MS boys showed their determination, with carefully well-strung passes found Wah again twice, Khong once & Gan once bringing the final score to a satisfactory 5-3 win for MS, albeit Trinity boys making a serious attempt to come back into the game scoring two more goals towards the later part of the the game. Good try but too late....they forgot we are the authentic comeback kings!

Must state that Gan's goal was quite a beauty after having dribbled past 3 opponents down the left flank & cut back to cross. Upon receiving a rebound, he volleyed in a shot from a very tight angle catching Trinity keeper off-guard. In conclusion, MS was a cohesive fighting machine that day with every cylinders(players) firing!

Match #28 (24 June 2012): 1-2 loss to Yellows

Despite the reputation of Yellows as a good team featuring little plump stocky fella with a venomous left foot, we were not awed at all. For all their swaggering possession, Yellows were not able to find a way past us until we suffered a loss of concentration and they gifted a stroke of luck. Their stiff shot from outside the box was never going anywhere in a crowded penalty box but struck their own striker who reacted smartly to turn the ball in. We deservedly equalized through Wah's simple header off Mel's teasing corner.

We maintained our discipline and composure in the second half and stayed in contention to win the match until the ref failed to make a call on an offside decision. This allowed their old striker to cracked a firm grounder which turned out to be the winning goal. Final score 1-2.

Match #26 (9 June 2012): First Time Failing To Find The Net And A Frustrating 0-2 Loss!

Another bunch of kampung relek kawan and true enough, they just felt compelled to uphold their renowned traits: blatant disregard for punctuality and disrespect for opponent with their tardiness and care-less attitude. This bunch would take the cake - Mother of All Latecomers...we only got to start the match at 5.45pm. Doubt it is any insult if they are referred to as Tidak Apa Gang.

On the other hand, very typical of such opponents, their players are technically gifted and experienced. Despite starting the match with 2 players short and without any sort of warm-up, they still rang rings around us. Preferring to keep the ball to the ground and relying on short passes to move around, they stretched us at times and their 2 goals resulted from midfielders embarking on intelligent off-the-ball running in from deep and beat our otherwise solid defence line to score past Brandon.

We were not without our chances but our forwards must have put on their ballet shoes for the day. They would rather forget how we ended up failing to find the net for the first time of the season. On the few occasions when they found the soccer boots, TAG's goalkeeper was simply brilliant to deny us.

The only positive of the match was to see such commanding performance from Brandon. Like a territorial wolf guarding its hunting (or mating?) ground, Brandon's authoritative play only means one thing, i.e. instilling confidence in us. And that can only be good.

Match #25 (3 June 2012): Sunday stroll in the park

It seems like a long time since we don't make life difficult for ourselves. Yet for half an hour against Mixed of Whites, a team that is clearly one step behind (us for a change), we dominated but couldn't apply the finishing touch. So it was with much relief that Wah cooly finish for us after Simon had split the defence with a well-weighted cross-field pass. He added his second with a smartly taken shot from Kamar's long flighted cross. Two nil at half time seems like a good platform for durian harvesting.

It took surprisingly turn soon after the restart. MoW clawed back a goal with some determined work. As if affronted, we responded emphatically by restoring the 2 goal cushion within seconds - a few quick passes upfield and Wah was at the right place to notch his hattrick. Further punishment was meted out as Chye emulated his younger brother. Simon added a brace in between Chye's hattrick. There was still time for MoW to win a graciously-awarded penalty which Brandon valiantly got a hand to, only for an alert MoW player to slot in the rebound. We had the final say when Woon slotted a firm grounder to complete a big win for us.

Final score 9-2.