Match #43 (20 Sep 09): Durain-picking mentality backfires!

Match report by mel

Teacher say must file match report by Tuesday nows a day. This teacher also discipline master so cannot play play. So here goes:

At 9am, Marine Sunday was all decked out and ready to go. While we chomped down our breakfast - chwee kueh last time so Weng Khong brought prata and lor mee - the referee started his pre-match routine. But wait, the opponents were still missing. Apparently, they had spent some time at the Hari Raya bazaar negotiating with a fierce chap selling rugs. At 9.20 am, they were still putting on their boots and in the midst of waking up.

At 9.25 am, referee decided it was time to start. Marine Sunday shot off the blocks like Bolt. There were a few loose passes but nothing worrying because our opponents were still flicking eye sai at each other. But the warning signs were there. The much younger team did string a few passes together before their Ang Moh striker fired one narrowly wide with only Brandon to beat. That was all the warning Marine Sunday needed. Chiang, combining with Chye, did his usual forays down the left sending in wicked crosses that just eluded the strikers. Chiang decided he needed to show them how to finish. After beating their right back with a good run - off another Chye pass - Chiang cut into the box and lobbed the keeper. But the ball was still some distance from goal and Gan raced in to head it back to Chiang who pumped the ball into the back of the goal. 1-0. Our young opponents by now were up from their slumber. Number 8 and 3 were menacing with their jinking runs and off one such move, they laid the ball for Ang Moh who blasted from outside the box. It sailed pass Brandon only to hit the post. Lucky break for MS. While we seemed a little shaky in defence, we were better upfront with midfield holding strong. After Chiang's powerful run, Simon decided he would one-up Chiang with a powerful half-volley from outside the box. It sailed pass the keeper for our second goal. 2-0.

That really riled our opponents who were just beginning to take control of the game. MS had put two in within 15 minutes of the start and had taken control of the match but it looked like were were fast tiring towards half-time and our younger opponents cleverly took advantage. Another series of good passes in the middle left their other striker with all the time in the world to pick his spot. From outside the box he let fly with a powerful shot which just beat Brandon's outstretched arms. 2-1. That should have been a good warning to us but we again allowed their players to dance through the middle. This time their right back ran all the way from his half straight through the middle before rolling the ball pass Brandon. 2-2.

Inspired by Hock Leong's scolding, MS picked up the pace in the second half. We seized control from the start with midfileders peppering the penalty box with crosses from all angles but the final touch was missing. Chye was stopped by an alert keeper and when Leng dashed in with a powerful shot, their defender risked his sotong balls with a last gasp dive to block the goalward bound effort. Then Chiang had a header then wide just wide and Gan's shot zing passed the post. Off another move on the right, Chye's attempted shot hit their defender and the shin and it went just wide, hitting the side-netting. It was going to be one of those lousy days. At the other end, defence and Brandon held a picnic while waiting for action.

MS continued attacking right to the end but just couldn't do a Michael Owen. Final score 2-2.

Man of The Match: Teck Chye (6 out of 14 votes). Teck Chye edged ahead by 2 votes:

1. “We had the poorest discipline for this game. The defenders committed early and go all the way up to mid-field area, the midfielders went all up to the goal mouth area with “1 way no return tickets” and the strikers also missed so many of the easy goal chances. The early 2 goals probably gave the whole team the ‘durian’ mentality. The difference can be felt once Teck Chye took an early rest in the later part of 1st half. All the goals from opponent team came after that. It was back to Marine Sunday’s control in the 2nd half once we have Teck Chye back. He is my MOTM.”

2. “MOTM - Started off and finished brilliantly but suffered just before half-time. Amidst the tumoil I thought Chye stood out. His timely runs and tackles are essential watching for any young footballer. He put our forwards through several times with nicely weighted passes and should have scored with one brilliant run but was stopped by a good save.”

3. “Motm to teck chye. Did a lot of running and harrasing in midfield. Also gave the opponenets a tough time when the ball was with him, controlled well and took on their players. A first time long range effort from 30 yards out nearly won us the game. Good overrall performance despite his injury.”

4. “MOM was Teck Chye as he was our creative player and when he was on the field , he was dangerous and created chances for the team.”

5. “MOtM is Teck Chye - was a constant attacking threat”

6. “MOTM - Teck Chye - He was very hardworking and close downopponent well. Intercepted many of their play to launch our attacks. Good play overall.”

See Chiang with 4 votes:

1. “MOTM goes to See Chiang for his relentless effort to tear down the flank & penetrate the defence with his speedy runs.”

2. “see chiang. running up and down on left wing, break down last 15mins, rewarded with 1 goal.”

3. “MOTM = See Chiang. Constant threat down the left flank with his dangerous running which give the opposition right back hell of a time. A good individual effect in the opening minutes when he spears down the left flank following a through ball, lobbing over the onrushing keeper and finishing off coolly.”

4. “Motm - See Chiang. Scored the 1st goal and make many good runs down the left....should have scored a few more....and make crosses earlier....nevertheless, 1 of the best perform player. Overall, we did well for this game but most of us leave our scoring boots at home, cause we thought we are going to have a picnic with bananas, oranges, chwee Kueh, kopi etc.....”

Simon came in 3rd with 2 votes:

1. “MOTM - Simon, a well-taken goal from the edge of the box. The keeper was caught off-guard and it’s a classy goal.”

2. “motm : no one stood out in the game, thus my vote goes to Simon for the scoring a well taken shot from the edge of the box.”

Remaining 2 votes went to Teck Wah and The Rock:

1. “Teck Wah has my vote. While he didn't score and had a few chances, I think he shouted his throat dry and was always looking for opportunity to run the flank to cross or pick up loose balls in their penalty box. I think he would have scored on his chances if he had another second or another 2 feet of room. I also thought Chye had a very good 1st 20 mins as he got very involved, even dropping back into our last third.”

2. “Motm to the rock, conspicuous by the havoc opponents wreaked in his absence. Opponents couldn't pose any threat during those minutes he played. They were lucky to get back on level terms when the rock gave more play time to others to focus on strategy.”