What comes around goes around, gone were the times that Seng and Zhenqing travelled half of Singapore to get to the games we had in the west. Travelling has also turned out better for Jin, at least not so far to get to the games. Most players arrived in time and there were a few like Chai, Kejang, Jin, Zonghui etc doing some warm ups and mini games, while Lewis sported a new hair cut, maybe to send out a message that he's ready to take the rough and tough in the matches. Team photo was taken and special thanks to Zhenqing for doing all of that. Pre match handshakes Champions League style(without theme song) was conducted and soon the 15 man squad was getting ready to start off the match. Zhenqing, Zhenquan, Rixian and Nigel started on the bench. Line up was as usual with Asen in goal, Jin and Fat pairing up in the middle while Simon and Daniel in the full backs position. Kejang and Seng flanked Adrian and Lewis, deadly duo with one goal each started up front, WHO ELSE and CAPTAIN BIBIBABEDOV.
Hougang North kicked off and a long ball was launched from their back and their striker was through on goal, slotting the ball under Asen to put them 1-0 up in at most the first 15 seconds. Whiners were shocked and lost suddenly, as this has not happened before. And it's Simon first game in the league so welcome to the true world! Communication and positioning were bad and lots of blunders here and there as the pace of the game was catching us off guard. But the team showed character and with plenty of encouraging and on field shouts from Daniel and Chai we finally recovered and soon drew level with WHO ELSE. Chai broke free down the right and crossed the ball in the danger zone for Zonghui to score an almost indentical goal the previous week. Both teams kept going at each other throughout and the spirit of the team has to be admired, though sometimes it takes more than that. Fat felt off the pace and asked for a change, Zhenquan coming on. Chai broke the offside trap twice more but failed to hit the target, while Zonghui was caught in an awkward position as he stabbed the ball wide while he reacted to Simon's shot at goal which the keeper spilled. But the Blues were not to be denied as Seng kept up his persistence and in turn won a penalty for our side as the keeper fouled him in the area. Zhenquan stepped up and place the shot beyond the keeper to put as 2-1 up. Rixian went in for Kejang just 10 mins before the end of the first half and the score-line stayed the way it is.
Half time talk was with plenty of fire by Chai and Rixian, who really gave quite a mouthful while also encouraging words from Simon and Daniel. The team came out determined to put things right in the 2nd half and soon enough we extended our lead. Simon launched a cross-field pass to Rixian who was just onside and he in turn headed the ball into Chai's path to slot past the keeper despite pressure from a defender. More chances fell to us several times but we failed to convert them, obvious we have to be more deadly. Chai put as 4-1 up as he followed up Rixian's shot which was going wide but instead hit a defender and the ball spun through for Chai to round the keeper and he wheeled away in celebration, knowing the job is probably done. Zhenqing was bulldozing through everyone and banging everyone off their chases on him. Simon tracked back well to get a crucial touch on the ball when no.18 sped through but he recovered in time in the area. Jin and Zhenquan was solid and make their clearances promptly while Daniel was obviously the man of the match with his exceptional strong display of skill and courage, plus excellent defensive reading. Adrian his usual hardworking self and Kejang too was working harder now to play well. Zonghui came back onto the field and soon provided an assist for Kejang as he made a simple pass into the area for Kejang to roll it into the net. We suffered from some attacks late on as we grew tired and were lucky not to concede any more goals. This is something we have to work on.
End of game and the usual little chats and laughs as this group gets closely-bonded week by week. Please take good care of yourself and those with little knocks here and there, notably Daniel and Seng. I got a head into my cheek so i am still feeling the effects too. Rest well boys, for the top of table clash this weekend. Though it's still early time in the season but it's a short season so we have to scrap for every point and of course try to avoid yellows. Winning all games only brings you 42 points so you can see how fine the line is so it is important we find our feet in the competition but also keep it firmly on the ground.
P.S. Anyway i saw the change in venue, it's not Punggol anymore it's East Spring so please take note. Simon or Chai maybe double check the game venue alright? Thanks.
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