Match #52 (9 Dec 2012): It all happened at the end!

With only 12 today, our job was made more enviable with an opponent who had the luxury to field two teams. Nevertheless, we stuck to the task but it required a huge effort at the end. It didn't seem so at the start when we dominated possession and chances, though MACOM (short for Majority Chinese One Malay, the latter being the player they most depended on playmaking) was fortunate to live by the skin of their teeth. We eventually took the lead in the first half when Delap Khong's throw was handled in the box. He took responsibility for the penalty and scored from the rebound after the initial effort was saved. ROI for new Nike boots was doubled immediately.

MACOM gave us a surprise in the second half. Not only did they continue to restrict us, they scored two quick-fire goals near the end to take the lead. We equalized after some hard work from Chiang to win the ball and passing it to Simon to conjure a defence-splitting chip for Gan to chest it down majestically before slipping it past the keeper. We continued the pressure and were rewarded when Gan won the ball from their goal kick and released Wah who cut in and smashed a grounder to put us ahead. It ended 3-2, much to the disappointment of MACOM which was super hyped up just moments ago.

Match #51 (2 Dec 2012): We Could Also Grind Out A Win, Though Undeservingly

Tornado Singhs are the type of opponent we fear most, a team comprising a few veterans who command on the field and supplemented by young, skilful players to run us ragged. Quality aside, they also outnumbered us with 16 players against us, a bare bone 13 and 2 of which, See Chiang and Kok Hock, had to play through pain barrier and our topshot had to retire early due to cramps from overstretched limbs. In fact, everyone of the 13 was overstretched to the limit. Hats off to these magnificent 13!

TS started with 1 man short but still commanded the possession of play. Their right-winger tormented us throughout 1st half with his trickery and pin-point crosses. Brandon was at his better than best today to keep TS at bay with numerous top-class saves and brave punches to deal with the crosses.

Against the run of play, we stole the lead. Teck Wah set up Mike for our opening goal. Then, sloppiness at our rear end presented them with an equaliser. Teck Wah then beat the offside line to put us in the lead before the break. Before that, he hit the post once and TS hit our framework twice.

TS equalised early in 2nd half and piled non-stop pressure on us thereafter. They could have easily won the match. Brandon was the main reason why they didn't but the real culprit was their left-winger who was show-boating too much. After rounding Brandon and facing an open goal, he chose to round off Gan instead, only for the latter to stick out his leg to block the dribble and Brandon recovered to collect the ball.

Against all odds, we were gifted with our winning goal. Their last man, after seeing Woon off, chose to pass the ball across the penalty box but it reached Weng Khong instead. He took no further delay to deal with the gift and put the ball into the net with his left foot. Mike celebrated with an I-polish-your-boots for Weng Khong, to much disbelief of TS.

A win is a win. We didn't tell them not to beat us, did we?