SUFI FC 4 Arizen FC 2
(Juf x1, Vic x1, Mahdi x1, Dinietov x1)
Back to where we have now recognised as our cursed ground, SUFI FC were looking to get their title run back on track again as they faced Arizen FC. Knowing our susceptibility of playing poorly on this ground, we were wary but not overly anxious. And this showed from the start of the game when we dominated proceedings and garnered a number of chances.
1-0: A long ball out to the right wing for our pocket wizard saw him burn those turbos as he burst beyond the AFC defensive line. Facing the keeper from a fast narrowing angle, Mahdi then laid it on a plate for our on rushing hot shot to tap it home from 6 yards making it his 8th in 12 league games. A good start to the game and a priceless early goal.
The feeling of deja vu soon revisited us as we contrived to concede 2 goals in bizarre fashion when our normally ever-reliable defensive unit succumbed to a whole series of mistakes. Of course, credit where it is due, the 2 goals were clinical finishes from AFC. I will also hold my hand up on this one to say that I was at fault for not providing sufficient protection too. We could have truly done better. Our defensive record does not lie and let us try our best to provide Allan with another clean sheet come next week aitee! It finished 2-1 at the half and the boys in yellow faced yet another potentially demoralising defeat at TMS.
The half time team talk centered around removing the former TMS boys from play as the boys seemingly had a problem of performing at their alma mata. Well, a part of it also involved keeping calm and continuing to play our game. Patience was the key which was something we severely lacked in our defeat last week to RAM. I guess the boys focused more on the insignificant part of the team talk and came out for the 2nd half with all guns blazing.
2-2: A ball played from just inside AFC's half by AhCool somehow found its way through their backline when the AFC defender messed up his clearance. Vic swiftly pounced onto the loose ball and burst through on goal. Conjuring up a finish of real quality, he lashed it into the roof of the net with his weaker foot leaving the keeper with absolutely no chance. An important early goal in the 2nd half that put us right back into the game and in the process setting the tone for what was to come.
3-2: Minutes after coming back on in the 2nd half, our pocket wizard engaged his marker in a 'Who-blinks-first, loses' game. With the ball almost coming to a standstill, a sweet feint to the left, left his marker for dead. Taking a couple of steps into the box, Mahdi then smashed the ball into the bottom right corner past the flailing arms of the keeper. A priceless goal to the relief of the boys in yellow. And for the 2nd time today, we were back in the lead.
4-2: 10 minutes from the end of the game, dinietov broke his mini-duck that had lasted for all of 2 games by converting from within the box after an 'all-Malay' buildup which was served by the pocket wizard and dished emphatically by the magician. A really magical affair as it turned out.
And so it that is how it finished as the patient approach worked well, allowing us to force our way back into the game. A come back of decent proportions only eclipsed by that of Manchester United as I re-type this =D
MOTM: Mahdi. Made 2, scored 1 and at times breath-taking. The price for your boots just rose by another 10 bucks for that compliment. Haha.
I'm lazy to type more for now so I will just sum it up simply. We made it hard for ourselves despite starting well but i was impressed with the way we went about our business and arguably outmuscled AFC in the 2nd half. The lessons from the horror show last week were well learnt. Thank you for the effort boys! Aite, i will see you guys next sat then. In the meantime, take care!
Personnel:
Allan
Farhan, Jason, Hizam, Syafiq, Jars, Ronald
Law, AhCool, Mahdi, Vic, WS, Syafiqo, Yas, Mok, LQ
Dinie, Juf
Fans:
Rudee, Fatin, Fadilah, Seng Huat
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