March #52 (21 Nov 09): Rocking back to 4231 winning ways

match report by st

It's a ragged end to the season. Seems so hard to cobble up a team the last few matches. Today's no different. Called more than a dozen guests and finally 4 agreed to come. 2 turned up and thankfully, what gems they are! Alex plays for NUSS whilst Eddy, the oldest today, plays for our young rivals Galacticos. With their efforts, we prevailed against a strong team , Gavan, only just.

With the Rock back, we reverted to our recent trademark 4231. Both teams tried to probe for weaknesses with Gavan using their dribblers to attack the flanks. Our full backs, especiallly Eddy on the left dealt with the threats well. The emergency pairing of Ng & Rock at the centre of defence repelled anything thrown at them. Alex & Khong in defensive mid roles held the shape of the team. The Attacking 3 with Chye as lone attacker chased down any mistakes Gavan defenders made. Gan as stand-in keeper didn't have much to do at the initial stages.

Noting Gavan's hesistancy with high balls, Simon took a ball at the centre line & swung a long cross-field ball to pick out Chye's unmistakable shout. The tantalising ball had the Gavan keeper dashing out to execute an air kick, leaving Chye to run on and slot the ball into an empty goal. We settled down comfortably and soon our greater cutting edge in attack paid dividends. Gavan was finding it hard to contain Gan, who had been promoted upfront after Brandon came in, & paid dearly for bringing him down. From the freekick, older tang make way for younger bro to send in an unstoppable screamer to the top corner, a Wah's special! Straight off the restart, Gavan launched a quick attack and a long ball into the top of the box caused confusion as 2 of our guys went for it. The ball fell nicely for their danger man No.7 who shifted the ball to his right before unleashing a cracker that gave Brandon no chance. Game on and soon it was half time, MS leading precariously 2-1.

Within minutes of the second half, Gavan was levelled. From a counter attack, their newly introduced right mid punted a long high cross into the box. Our defence was caught ball-watching and No.7 nipped into the six yard box, & with plenty of time, expertly guided the ball into the corner with his head. 2-2 and the match was poised on knife edge, anyone could win it. Gavan had introduced a left mid Malay youngster, equipped with the usual plenty of trickery and dribbling ability to complement their upfront threats, particularly No.7 & 8. We snuffed them out as best we could as they began to dominate. Our breakthrough came with a well-worked goal. Gan and Wah combined to pick out the onrushing Mike, whose first touch was good and the looping finish impeccable. Then as Gavan made a hash of clearing a corner, Eddie capped a fine performance with an exquisite goal which he curled over the stranded keeper and a sea of defenders.

Gavan tried forcefully to come back but found their final approach play a tad short. We held on comfortably for a 4-2 win.

MOTM: eddy wins it with a superb all round display from the left! Tie-break for second place goes to mike for his goal & celebration that broke the camel's back, over another typically stylish performance by chye (despite the fast-gaining weight). Wah and Alex received compliments too for their contributions!

Eddy (4 votes):

MOTM @ Regent: Alex and Eddy were like fuel to the MS fire which has been as low as our injury ridden attendance this month. We all appreciate the efforts of all guests but Alex and Eddy were very influential to the gameplay. They set the game tempo and work rate of the team. Post injury Weng Khong saw in Alex what he used to be - that livewire in the midfield and dared himself step up his game to make crunching 50-50 challenges. Eddy? He is a super fit Chwee Leng if you allow me to put it that way - did not let anybody past him and adding composure in attack to the left flank. I had to flip a coin for Alex or Eddy. Eddy has my vote.

One of the finest display at full back I've seen the whole year and that's saying a lot as we hv very good full backs. Eddie played with fearless conviction & is always well-positioned within reaching distance of the midfielders to support play & pick up loose balls. No one got past him today & no one got near his exquisite curler goal.

MOTM- Eddy- quick to harass and tackle.reminds me of Ashley cole during Arsenal days.

MOTM goes to Eddy for his superb performance.

Mike (2 votes):

MOTM - He did not do much for the day but his main contribution killed off the opponent. His run down the left was timed so perfectly. The cross from the right dropped just in front of him. His first touch was superb on the run, his second was even better with an exquisite lob over the goalkeeper and dipped just under the crossbar into goal for a 3-2 lead. This probably deflated the opponent as they were controlling the second half up till then. His celebration was equally good. Mike is the guy for this game. Well done.

MOTM. vote to mike, defence so so, but he alway score goal when we need it...

Chye (2 votes):

MOTM was Teck Chye. Fantastic in attack in the first half and was good in defence in the second half.

motm:teck chye for good play in midifield and attack, plus one cool taken goal.

Wah:

MOTM goes to Teck Wah. Score a great free kick and support the midfield and attack well. Tearing down the opposition right flank at numerous occasions and produced many good crosses.

Alex:

Motm - I would like to vote for Alex, harrass the opponent well in midfield giving them a tough time. Fought for almost every ball. Maybe we should consider recruiting for MS since we got so many players going into semi-retirement.