Match 03 - Match Review : 180109 8 Wonders @ Fuhua Sec.

I was in my new hush puppies underwear, meeting Jeremey and Simon to go for our battle today, but not before stopping by to get some "light" breakfast which turned out to be bacon and sausage. Drinks as well. Got to the field and there was almost everybody, changing up and warming up. Players all start to come in and the team gathered, only person who was late is the referee but everyone was still eager to go. First 11 singled out, everyone got a role to play and time to rest so off we go.

We took a 2-0 lead early on, with goals from Xianxi and James. The first was a diagonal pass from James to Xianxi and he controlled the ball and took his chance well. 1-0 up! And the 2nd was a defensive error from their so called "star player" Weixiong, who took a goal kick but the ball was headed back and he kept James onside to slot in the 2nd. Weixiong started to realise he can't lead the defence on his own so he changed his position playing on the right midfield just dropping off the strikers. He did make a impact as he pulled one back for his team with an tight angle unstoppable shot. Not your fault kay Ah Fat? I think no one will save that shot. And half chances continue to come by as some interplay lead to Ah Chai and me taking pot shots at the other end. The half ended as we regained the 2 goal cushion when James supplied a delicious through ball for Xianxi to finish, although the keeper took at touch but the ball still went in, agonisingly.

First half round up was encouraging, Daniel and Jin absolutely solid, taking out everything that were thrown at them, with interceptions, tackles, clearances. One occasion was that the goal was empty but out of nowhere Jin came sliding in to clear the shot. Amazingly spotting the danger and anticipating it before it was there. Zhenqing was very lively and he reminds me of Ah Ray of my previous team, ranting and shouting at everything he could but he pointed out plays that we should make right, like challenging for the loose balls and 50-50s. And he was our best weapon for attack in the first half with his clearances. Speaks volume how flat things are in attack.

2nd half start with my contact lens being problematic turned out to be a masterstroke. With Simon continuing at right-back we had Tianjun to defensive midfield which added even more bite to our defensive display. He was in the thick of the challenges, I could only think of him as Rambo in the Grass. Simon was getting a lot of freedom as he made rampaging runs down from the defensive line to the opposite penalty area. One such foray produce a great chance but he fumbled his first touch. As he tracked back the ball came to him again and call it lucky or coincidental, his lofted pass cleared the path for James who was onside and made the run to make a thumping finish. 4-1 then but it was soon 4-2, when Ah Fat was caught napping with his relaxation time under the sun when Weixiong went for goal straight from kickoff. Soon after another run from deep saw Simon getting to the end of Zonghui's cross and as he wheeled away in celebration with the goal not yet scored, Ah Chai came sliding in to make sure of the finish. Surely too soft finish from the man but credit to him he came up there from right back. While Ah Chai got what he deserved as he was toiling away in midfield, pulling the strings and putting a good shift in the challenges. Of course his face seems foul and pissed but because he is serious. I can't remember the 6th and 7th goals order but goalscorers are Zhenqing and Zonghui. Both seem identical, put through and Zonghui was a polished finish while Zhenqing's was sort of a luck ricochet but still a goal nevertheless. Obviously hungry was Zonghui as he chased down several balls, making many passes look good and never giving up. Jin had another good block from a cutback as we endured some attacks with our makeshift defence. Twelve rounded up the scoring from Zhenqing's pass down the left and he cut inside to strike a shot into the near post. Opponents got a consolation again as who else but Weixiong provided a pass to Lebron James to slot in the finish. The game ended with several shuffling of positions and players and the last goal is just complacency. We will do well to prevent such defensive lapses.

Rounding up, i believe this was a good morale booster but we should not be satisfied by the result as i know we can even perform better. There are still room for much improvement and different players have got different factors to face. A few examples were brought up during the end match review by Ah Chai like our attack should be more versatile and flexible. And our problems at the back if Jin, Daniel, Ah Fat are not around. And i also think we should have something like first-aid on stand by because you never know how serious things can get. We will look into all these issues when we have the funds. Suggestion for different players on what to do for themselves will be like for Lewis, get a pair of boots and contact lens. Tianjun needs boots too. Jeremey to get back fitness and touches. Yeah i know my problem too shhhh. Thanks everyone for the good game today and seriously i feel like Manchester United in 2003 when they play Sporting Lisbon in a friendly and all the players ask Uncle Fergie to sign Cristiano Ronaldo, the rest you all know is history but problem is we don't have a Uncle Fergie so no matter how everyone ask to sign Weixiong we can't!

Thanks everyone for coming and playing. Thanks Zhenqing for his craps. And also his efforts with Jin to come from so far to join us in the match. Spirited and shining example. Latest news are after Chinese New Year we will have jersey making. I vote for Barcelona's away jersey colour, the bright lime-yellowish green. Please give your suggestions to Simon too. See you all soon!