Woodlands Ring Sec, 1500 Hrs
YSOSRS FC 1 Team Intense 2
(Santosh x1)
As our journey through Division 1 goes on, the boys in white continue to face big name opposition on a weekly basis. This week was no different as we entertained probably the biggest name of them all aside from Armanis FC and FMFC. Team Intense. Having swept all before them so far in their 1st 4 games of the season and more astoundingly, comprehensively beating our huge rivals FMFC 4-1 in the process, the jokers went into this game with hope but on paper we were definitely the underdogs. With so much news filtering through about the abilities of our opponents today, there was an air of anxiety which was mixed with a tinge of excitement as the boys lined up against their adversaries for 80 minutes on a terrible Woodlands Ring pitch. What is happening to the pitch ar field warden. Damn jialat.
Oh wells, to add to the difficulty of our task, we were missing a whole hosts of players and more importantly had to deal with the drama of potentially lacking sufficient centre backs. Thank god Huijie answered the SOS call at the eleventh hour and together with our newly installed vice captain Ronnie boy, formed the central partnership at the back that was crucial in repelling much that came their way today.
Straight to the game as Intense could only gather 10 men for the start, the jokers burst out of the blocks with a 442 attacking formation that was meant to press and hopefully get the early goal. Much pressure was placed on the Intense backline, who struggled to get their passing game going on the bumpy pitch. And just as it was the tactical plan, the not so serious boys drew 1st blood in this big clash.
1-0: The first goal came within the 1st 5 minutes as a cross field ball from Mok found Santosh on the left bursting through on goal. With only the keeper to beat, our nepalese boy found the bottom right hand corner of the goal with a nonchalant outside foot finish to send the jokers into ecstasy . This partnership has been bearing fruit in recent weeks and I genuinely hope for more in the near future too. Lets go Toshie boy!
With intense finally up to their full complement of players, the worry was that we would capitulate as Intense flooded the midfield. Truth be told, the game pinged from side to side as neither team was able to get a grip on proceedings. However, never was there a point in the game where the jokers were overawed as everyone who featured played their hearts out. Intense probably had the better share of possession for the last 15 of the 1st half but they hardly threatened our goal.
Sadly that was until a dangerous inswinging corner by Intense that occurred in the absence of Ronnie boy who had been forced off in order to receive treatment after a back injury. Lacking concentration, one of the Intense boys (despite early warnings that he was a good header of the ball) got free and thumped a header home from inside the 6 yard box. All square with everything to play for as the half drew to a close.
The 2nd half resumed as Dinietov, Syafiq and Law formed the midfield triangle and they were flanked by the rejuvenated AhCool and ever present veteran, Rudee Tudee. With the team more or less the same, the mercurial talents of Dinietov on the ball and the added height of our twin towers meant that we were able to match and even dominate the central areas together with the persistent hustling of Law.
Time after time, we knocked on the doors of the Intense goal and after Juf fired a shot from just outside the box at the keeper, our top shot was presented with a half chance just inside the box. Toe poking the ball at goal, the entire bench were up in arms in anticipation that it would bulge the goal. Yet, as fate would have it, the keeper got his hands to the goal bound shot and oddly enough, AhCool who was seemingly in an onside position when he fired home the rebound had his effort ruled out for being offside. Ahh what a bummer.
As time ticked on, both sets of players looked increasingly contented to settle for a draw. Unfortunately for us it was not to be for once again, due to a lack of concentration in our defensive third. Defending against a freekick on the edge of the box by the left, confusion in setting up the wall quickly meant that the opposition striker was able to fire straight into goal with a low hard shot. Tough tough luck boys. And that was how it ended as despite pushing hard in the remaining few minutes of the game, another effort from ahcool that cannoned off the bar but was later blown as an offside again was all that we could muster.
MOTM: Ronald takes this one for me as he covered the defensive third superbly and commanded them well despite being a major doubt for the game with an injury. I have to say though that our entire defensive line did a fantastic job in denying the quick Intense wingers space for much of the game. Finally, the way that Dinietov danced and nutmegged his way through from a defensive midfield position in his languid yet effective manner deserves at least a mention in this column. Kudos dude. Keep it up man.
Gaffers words: I would like to focus on the positives here. The team spirit was excellent with those not playing constantly cheering the 11 who were on the field. I have to say that I absolutely love that boys. The aftermath of the game also saw players encouraging each other for despite the manner of the defeat, we attempted to pick the crestfallen ones up. Yes we deserved something from the game and it is no exaggeration that aside from the 2 goals, Intense did not have too many other clear cut chances. But let us be gracious in defeat and learn from the experience. Concentration in the future boys. One thing that I would like to keep seeing in our future games would be that spirit. Defeats would not be as painful when we lose as one, and victories would be that much sweeter. Let's take this journey one step at a time aite. I am honestly very proud of you guys. Let's keep on going boys.
Team Intense's Match Report: http://www.espzen.com/matchreport_frame.asp?matchno=13694
Personnel:
Kicking Machine
Alaric, Farhan, Jason, Huijie, Ronald
Rudee, Wong, AhCool, Santosh, Mok, Law, Syafiq, Dinietov, LQ
Juf, Habib
Fan in attendance:
Fadilah (Thank you!!)
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