*There was much huffing and leaping in our attempts to break down the Fate goal.
Temasek Sec, 1500 Hrs
YSOSRS FC 3 AC FATE 2
(Habib x1, Mok x1, Khairil x1)
A helluva day. A roller coaster of emotions. And plenty for the gaffer to think about at the end of it all. But thank god. Thank god our prayers were answered.
Heading into the game held probably at our least favourite venue at the moment, YSOSRS FC were made to push all the way till the last kick of the game to avoid an early cup upset. Having settled the administrative issues, we were determined to kick start our season with a good result however AC Fate were doubly determined in making us work for it.
Right from the word go, our adversaries on the day set up store to nullify our attacking threat with 2 banks of large men situated in front of their keeper. This, coupled with their speeder attackers proved a good option for although the boys in white were comfortable for large periods of the 1st half, Fate did threaten with a couple of counter attacks. 0-0 it was at the break with frustrations galore.
In the 2nd, we came out determined to stick to the game plan from the start. Our knocks on the Fate door grew louder as the Fate keeper was called into action on more than one occasion to keep the score at 0-0.
1-0: Finally. The boys in white got the goal they craved for as debutant Habib, responded fastest after a stinging drive by Dinietov was initially saved by the Fate keeper. The young man composed himself and finished sweetly with his left peg into the roof of the net putting us a goal to the good. Awesome goal from the young lad.
*Our young prodigy opening his YSOSRS account with a sweet finish and enjoying the aftermath of it
Unfortunately for us, the feeling of uncertainty together with a degree of over-confidence crept into our game as we conceded an equaliser about 15 mins into the 2nd half after some poor defending from a deadball situation. Things got worse as whilst pushing to win the game, a poor pass from Mok allowed Fate to play a through pass over the top of our defense that caused mayhem. According to the players involved, the penalty decision was questionable however the word of the man in black is what counts and we had that sinking, disgusting feeling of potentially falling to the TMS hoodoo as we trailed 2-1 with 5 minutes to go.
* Fighting to the end epitomized by the facial expression of our stand-in captain. *A rare goal. A crucial one at that by the gaffer
2-2: Another debatable situation as Tosh who was having a hit and miss day drove into the box for the umpteenth time causing havoc in the Fate defense. Tackling both the ball and the man (according to our boy) as a Fate player attempted to sweep up, the ball fell kindly to Mok who faced up to a crowded penalty box with Fate players closing in on him fast. Taking a step to the right, the gaffer unleashed a shot through the bodies that stood in his way. A feeling of immense relief was followed by the eruption of euphoria as the ball flew past the keeper and nestled into the back of the net. Coming hardly a minute after Fate had gone 2-1 up and with the clock ticking down, we had given ourselves a priceless lifeline. Ooh boy.
*It is amazing that the moment was caught on camera. And the joy especially on the faces of the lads, okay more of the gaffer himself showed relief and ecstasy all rolled into one. Some goal, with it being literally the last kick of the game.
3-2: Sensing that our equaliser had demoralised our opponents and with extra time fast looming, the YSOSRS boys pushed forward one last time in search of the winner. The crown jewel in terms of goals eventually came as a ball was laid across from the wing by Tosh to the middle for our latest addition to the team, Khai. I swear the next few moments proceeded as if someone had slowed down time and it was also accompanied by a deafening silence that descended upon the pitch whilst the ball trickled to the eventual fate that awaited it. Taking 2 strides onto the ball and from 25 yards out, our man struck the ball so sweetly that it whistled straight into the top left hand corner of the goal and past the Fate keeper who didn't move a muscle. The goal was even more awesome considering that it played pin ball with the inner regions of the goal frame before coming to a rest where it mattered. Probably an early contender for YSOSRS Goal of the Season and certainly deserving of a game winning goal.
So that was how it ended, a cup game through and through of which we thankfully came up tops. A game I would have paid to watch on the teevee as well. And yes it did make my balls shrink. Sweet.
MOTM: On a day where we were frustrated on many occasions, I personally felt that debutant Khai slotted into the team seamlessly despite not knowing too many of the guys around him. His experience and calming influence in front of the backline gave us an opportunity to build our attacks and as the game wore on, his influence was more evident as the lads entrusted him with more of the ball. Oh, and what a goal to cap off a sweet debut. The man joins Jason and Jufri in being one of a select few to have outstanding performances on their debut in our team's history. Kudos to you Khai.
Gaffers thoughts: A very good lesson from today's game. Fate gave us a tough game and they were possibly unlucky to lose at the end. But take nothing away from the efforts of our lads as we put in a good shift and the experience gained would be priceless as we take that into the new season. I'm genuinely proud of both the old guards and the new boys. Let this be a fruitful season folks. Cheers on qualifying for the next round.
Personnel:
Phileo
LQ, Farhan, Naqib, Ronald, Hizam, Jason, Jars
Rudee, Liang, Santosh, Mahdi, Mok, WS, Khai, Yas, Syafiq, Dinietov
Juf, Habib
Fans in attendance:
Aisyah, Fadilah, Alan T, Allan
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