We only had our lack of sharpness in our frontline and lack of concentration in our backline to blame. What looked like a certain win somehow slipped through our grip. A commanding 3 – 1 lead gave way to an unsatisfying 3 – 3 draw at the final whistle, courtesy to all the goals conceded through dead-ball situations, and for that matter, a corner, a direct free-kick just outside the box and a penalty completed the repertoire. Teck Wah, Gan and Kian Hwa had, in total, 5 gilt-edged chances in the 2nd half to wrap up the match but each of the front trio must have put on two left-sided boots. Teck Wah fared slightly better as both his efforts were denied by some superb saves from Yellow's custodian, whereas Gan and Kian Hwa confirmed they were not snipers in their army days as they put their efforts anywhere except within the goal frame.
All Yellow had in them are a couple of speedy and skilful Gonzales and a tall right-back who used his height to cause us a great deal of troubles whenever it came to their corner kicks.
All Yellow had in them are a couple of speedy and skilful Gonzales and a tall right-back who used his height to cause us a great deal of troubles whenever it came to their corner kicks.
We were comfortably keeping our shape despite the early pressure from them. Our better teamwork built up a comfortable 2 – 0 margin at half-time. Kian Hwa and Weng Khong worked well on the left to break the shackles of their tall right-back. Kian Hwa latched onto Weng Khong's return pass and put a decent cross into the box for Teck Wah. Yellow's keeper dealt with the cross but Mike did enough to cause the custodian to spill the ball. With his back facing the goal but possessing a keen sense of direction, Teck Wah produced a cheeky back-heel to score the opening goal, 1 – 0! The Tang sibling rivalry has been producing the goods for Marine Sunday and we aren't complaining. Showing that he could do much better, the elder Tang intercepted a ball in the middle, brought it forward and after seeing the keeper slightly off his line, produced what-has-become-his-trademark lob over the stranded keeper. Another classy goal to add to his collection of audacious goals, 2 – 0! Leo and Ng, taking turns in left-back, managed to hold their own against their speedy right-winger and on the opposite flank, Chung Wen and Chwee Leng kept forcing their robust striker wide without allowing him to have a single shot at goal. Chor Guan, regaining his touches, put in a very assuring performance with his timely interceptions and partnered well with The Rock, whose astute reading of the game nullified danger early. Kok Hock, deputizing for Chor Guan, provided the depth we need in time to come.
Whereas we were in control in the 1st half, 2nd half was a different story as we allowed them back into the game. Yellow began to find space in our half and made full use of their fast players to breach our defence. Chung Wen held his ground well at the byeline to deny their striker and concede a corner. Yellow scored directly from the resultant corner when their playmaker curled in the ball that sailed beyond the reach of Ng standing at the right post. Brandon could only watch in dismay, having caught surprised by the flight of the ball. The margin was reduced to 2 – 1. We recovered quickly from the setback and Gan was presented with back-to-back scoring chances by firstly, Teck Wah and then Teck Chye. Gan disappointed the Tang brothers with his failure to convert both. It was 3rd time lucky for Gan when he headed unchallenged a corner from Teck Wah beyond the stretched arms of Yellow's keeper into goal. We restored the 2-goals margin to 3 – 1. Teck Wah tested their keeper with a couple of stiff shots that brought out reflex saves from the latter to deny our Chief Predator.
Yellow's playmaker punished us for our misses. Again, we allowed them too much space outside our box before Kok Hock attempted to rob the ball from them but in the process, tripped their player just outside the box. Yellow's playmaker curled the ball nicely over the wall to dip at the lower left-hand corner of the goal. 3 – 2. A moment of folly on our right involving Brandon and Chwee Leng resulted in a hasty clearance and concession of a corner. We failed again to defend the corner, allowing their towering right full-back to head the ball towards goal. The ball took an unkind bounce before hitting Chwee Leng's hand and referee pointed to the spot. Brandon was so close to become our hero as he got down well to get his hand to the penalty kick from Yellow's playmaker but the ball simply packed too much punch. Three dead balls from the playmaker, three goals and 3 - 3. We still had enough time to rescue the game but after being set up nicely in the box, Kian Hwa screwed his left-foot effort wide, with only the keeper at his mercy.
No further goals ensued and we had to settle for a draw. AS we trooped off the pitch, we were wondering if we were hit by a bout of yellow fever!
Man of The Match: (5 votes)
Ever since he started his chicken rice business, Ng has been playing like a spring chicken! Another no-nonsense performance from him for the MoTM!
“MOTM goes to Ng for many timely & effective tackles in the box. Great performance! But his height was sorely exploited by opponent’s goal from corner J”
“Motm was Ng. Again, he saved us with a couple of tackles that prevented goal scoring opportunities.”
“MOM is Ng : He manage to prevent the opposition strikers from scoring thru a few well timed tackles that were hard but fair. It kept the game in balance as we continued to miss golden opportunities to extend the scoreline.”
“motm - Ng. hard tackler and manage to prevent some of their threatening moves. Special mentioned to Chung wen also who played just as well. But no choice, got to choose 1.”
“I was torn between Ng and Hock Leong. Both put in one very good tackle each. Hock Leong’s tackle in the 1st half was timed perfectly to break down their speedy winger’s marauding run down the right flank. Ng’s 2nd half tackle in the box denied them a certain shot at goal. I’m inclined to go for Ng because his tackle was not only timely but he was brave in putting in that block. The lack of which would have resulted in a certain goal for them and a loss for us.”
Ever since he started his chicken rice business, Ng has been playing like a spring chicken! Another no-nonsense performance from him for the MoTM!
“MOTM goes to Ng for many timely & effective tackles in the box. Great performance! But his height was sorely exploited by opponent’s goal from corner J”
“Motm was Ng. Again, he saved us with a couple of tackles that prevented goal scoring opportunities.”
“MOM is Ng : He manage to prevent the opposition strikers from scoring thru a few well timed tackles that were hard but fair. It kept the game in balance as we continued to miss golden opportunities to extend the scoreline.”
“motm - Ng. hard tackler and manage to prevent some of their threatening moves. Special mentioned to Chung wen also who played just as well. But no choice, got to choose 1.”
“I was torn between Ng and Hock Leong. Both put in one very good tackle each. Hock Leong’s tackle in the 1st half was timed perfectly to break down their speedy winger’s marauding run down the right flank. Ng’s 2nd half tackle in the box denied them a certain shot at goal. I’m inclined to go for Ng because his tackle was not only timely but he was brave in putting in that block. The lack of which would have resulted in a certain goal for them and a loss for us.”
The Rock was just as imposing at the back to win 3 votes:
“Hock Leong: He is outstanding in cutting out the attack, never give a chance for them to turn to their front during the attack. He was playing a great stopper role.”
“MOTM to Hock Leong. Tough choice as defence played well and Ng was Mr Super reliable but Hock Leong was also essential in covering gaps in the middle.”
“Motm goes to hock Leong. Neutralised most of opponents attacks especially in the first half where they were much more aggressive and faster. Again lift up to the rock reputation.”
“Hock Leong: He is outstanding in cutting out the attack, never give a chance for them to turn to their front during the attack. He was playing a great stopper role.”
“MOTM to Hock Leong. Tough choice as defence played well and Ng was Mr Super reliable but Hock Leong was also essential in covering gaps in the middle.”
“Motm goes to hock Leong. Neutralised most of opponents attacks especially in the first half where they were much more aggressive and faster. Again lift up to the rock reputation.”
Teck Chye seems to have found his Indian Summer. Another classic goal, and 3 nominations!
“Motm is always marginal with so many players. Despite the 3 goals, credit to the defence which played well. Chye deserves motm for another fighting performance & classily taken goal.”
“MOTM to Teck Chye - He was a livewire in our team and was very influential in our attacking play. If he was there to convert those chances we had created like the 2nd goal he had scored, we would have probably won against a very fast and good opponent.”
“MOTM-Teck chye for a great solo goal and some good attacking play”
“Motm is always marginal with so many players. Despite the 3 goals, credit to the defence which played well. Chye deserves motm for another fighting performance & classily taken goal.”
“MOTM to Teck Chye - He was a livewire in our team and was very influential in our attacking play. If he was there to convert those chances we had created like the 2nd goal he had scored, we would have probably won against a very fast and good opponent.”
“MOTM-Teck chye for a great solo goal and some good attacking play”
The remaining 7 votes went to the following players:
“MOTM - Difficult to choose between the Tang Brothers. Both were influential in their own rights. The younger Tang continue his good form and the older Tang is getting back his fitness and scoring form. My vote to the younger Tang for his opportunistic goal and the assist for the third goal.”
“MOM is teck wah. was always a threat to the opponent.”
“motm: 2nd half no one in particular stood out. so my choice is more motm '1st half', which goes to see chiang. full of running on the left n combined well several times with kh. most attacks were from the left.”
“MOTM for Kian Hwa. His assist minded game saw him running the flanks, feeding the flanks. I think he ran as much as on days we have 12 guys.”
“MOTM: Chor Guan has my vote as he read the game well and stabilise the defence when we were shaky.”
“MOTM = simon. Great work rate and effective link up play in midfiled, creating numerous chances for the strikers”
“motm. Chung Wen, provide solid defence against a very strong and quick opponent, also make a good clearence in the 2nd half.”
“MOTM - Difficult to choose between the Tang Brothers. Both were influential in their own rights. The younger Tang continue his good form and the older Tang is getting back his fitness and scoring form. My vote to the younger Tang for his opportunistic goal and the assist for the third goal.”
“MOM is teck wah. was always a threat to the opponent.”
“motm: 2nd half no one in particular stood out. so my choice is more motm '1st half', which goes to see chiang. full of running on the left n combined well several times with kh. most attacks were from the left.”
“MOTM for Kian Hwa. His assist minded game saw him running the flanks, feeding the flanks. I think he ran as much as on days we have 12 guys.”
“MOTM: Chor Guan has my vote as he read the game well and stabilise the defence when we were shaky.”
“MOTM = simon. Great work rate and effective link up play in midfiled, creating numerous chances for the strikers”
“motm. Chung Wen, provide solid defence against a very strong and quick opponent, also make a good clearence in the 2nd half.”
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment