Match #21 (18 May 08): 4-1 non-event over Blue Social Incompletence

sunday morning matches typically has a slow and predictable feel about them. not, withstanding we'll have less than our usual numbers (thanks to the god-fearing ones), its almost a certainty that we'll win and usually, rather 'durainly' too (were the g-f ones praying for us whilst we're having fun). we will have opponents that stroll in btw 9.15 - 9.30, like a casual morning walk with the dog. then you see them making calls for back-up in a most relax manner, no different from the way a dog lifts its leg to pee! match starts and the dog starts its energetic pursuits which inevitably results in it lying down pitifully after a few beatings. then, there goes the meaning of the match. to borrow from dale cargenie, "there's no use beating a dead dog". it's a purely rhetorical argument as at the end of the day, sunday morning matches are an essential aspect of timing rotation to ensure we play a good mix of opponents. and when the team is in a rut, like having been hammered 1-7 a week before, he he....what can we say?

last sunday however should be considered a non-event. Blue Social Incompletence played with 10, 9 and 8 players at various times of the match (hence the title), we had 11 throughout. they gave up midway into the second half after the 4th goal and requested to call a halt to the match. frankly, it was out of pity, given the dead dog scenario that we just let it go. there's absolutely no point in persisting at that stage. so, the scoreline indicates nothing and didn't matter. what really mattered was that BSI scored an equaliser when they had 9 against 11. now that's quite a feat and to call the match a non-event is quite honestly a discredit to BSI. there's still plenty for marinesunday to do.

Start: BSI started with 10 players and kicked off with some degree of assurance. they attempted to keep the ball and even did some dribbling which was to haunt them later in the match. they also played a high line (dangerous tactic for a long field) which cost them the first goal.

Goal #1: we harassed to recover possession on the right. chiang passed the ball to mike wide out. mike played the ball to st who came in from centre to support. seeing chiang making a typical surge forward, st instinctively first-timed a through ball forward into space. chiang's acceleration took him one on one with the keeper who saved the former's first shot. the rebound richochet off chiang's trusty old knee powerfully into goal.

First Half: 1-0.
Despite being superior in numbers, marinesunday has trouble finding the next breakthrough. Here are some observations:
1. strikers didn't take their chances well enough or with conviction (including the writer's own 2 clear-cut ones).

2. too many players (including defenders) trying to collect durains. players rushing in to score and not spreading out making space. players clashing with each other over the same ball.
suggestion: stick to your position and adjust area of coverage along with team's movement but don't get into the same space that a team-mate has already occupied. midfielders should not be too hasty to move into the final third unless the defence has left an opening and our own player can easily put a ball there.
3. midfielders have trouble finding players (see 2.) and yet trying to put in hopeful through balls.
suggestion: attackers should be prepared to face the midfield to receive the ball on the feet. midfielders to play a direct ball to the striker's feet, allowing strikers to have possession near/in the box, spelling trouble for the defence. other options include playing wall passes or taking shots when the defence plays a game of containment and retreat.
4. wingers crossing spectacularly but lacking in product when a simple short pass to a supporting team mate is available.
suggestion: by all means make crosses, but use an easier option if available.

2nd Half: BSI started with 9 after one of their players were injured at the end of first half.

Goal! Unbelievable equaliser for 9-men BSI: Our attack broke down and BSI punted a long hopeful ball up to their lone striker. He started down our left unmolested and managed to crack a shot which we deflected to our right side of the field. another of their players somehow managed to leave our right midfielder and defender trailing and recovered the loose ball. he let fly what seemed like a shot which was firmly tucked in for a deserving equaliser. a good reminder of observations 1. and 2. above. the goal served as a wake up call to ms.

Goal #2: BSI was sitting back pretty and inviting us to come forward. again from the right, st found chiang with a through ball down the right for a cross. despite BSI's protests for offside, chiang stabbed a low one which wah trapped with back towards goal before recovering his balance and backheeling it cheekily to salvage some pride.

BSI reduced to 8. One of the players had the hang-dog look and his team-mates chided him and told him to take a breather. they forgot they had earlier expended some energies in unnecessary dribbling.

Goal #3: BSI continued to pack their defence and chye punished them good with a curler from out of nothing outside the box. see observation/suggestion 3. no chance for the keeper against such class!

BSI back to 9. hang-dog returns innocuously.

Goal #4: A through ball down the left found chye who steadily brought it closer to goal before releasing the ball into the danger zone for mark's simple tap-in.

BSI players telepathically signals to each other a need to rest and someone request a halt to trading ... erm i mean, bashing, senseless bashing.

ps - the part that takes the longest (and hardest) to write was the observation/suggestion section. not meant to pinpoint blame, i only hope it can help to improve the team game.