Match update 21st Feb and 28th Feb

These reports need to come in fast as this coming sunday we will be having our first league game, and i don't think i can remember the events clearly. Not like i can now either.

21st Feb was a 7-0 thrashing of a lowly malay team who don't seem interested in their football and was pretty naive and restricted in their play. A brace from Chai, one each from Zonghui and Kejang put us 4-0 midway through the first half. The players who came on from the bench felt it was boring and not much to play for or make an impression anymore. 2nd half we extended our lead through Seng, who also went on to miss an open goal in the latter stages of the game, which no doubt will be on the back of his mind that day(that day only! It's forgotten!). As our energy levels run low we didn't play much to what we are capable of, more due to individual brilliance from certain players. A long ball sent Chai through as he rounded the keeper for the finish. The 7th came when neat interplay between Chai and Kejang saw the latter steering the ball home after a low cross from Chai. Kejang had the chance to add to the lead when he went free down the left but chose to shot instead of laying the ball for Chai. He must want his hat trick really bad. That summed up the day and a little post match chat after that as usual before things round up and we will have to miss our dear Mr Simon for the next 2 games as he visits home of the AV land!

28th Feb was yours truly's birthday but the celebrations seemed dull as we missed a lot of players. Adrian called up 2 of his friends to plug the gaps we had. We squared off with opponents which we had faced twice, first time 3-3 at tanglin and 2nd time 2-1 to us on westwood. Started with makeshift defence with myself and daniel at centre back, tien at the right and newcomer yichun on the left. Seng started on the right and Kejang on the left, while calmness restorer Jumain was in the centre with new midfield dyanmo Adrian, who impressed the previous week in the 7-0 trouncing with his hard running and enterprising play. Up front was Chai and Xianxi. Zhenqing came and took up my position in defence while we had Lewis deciding to come and join TC on the bench. Most of the play congested in the midfield area and not enough chances were created. Chai give us a lead to bring into half time as he raced onto a throughball and slotted high to the right of the keeper to put us 1 up.

2nd half started horribly wrong when firstly a decision went against us when their equaliser was ruled to be onside and while we were recovering to that we gave up our lead when a shot via deflection went past Asen and we went 2-1 down. We pushed them back and with the lead they have they started to play their relaxed passing game. Several chances came and we failed to convert. Kejang was set up nicely as he went free into the area, shrug off the attention of the last defender but somehow fail to hit the back of the net as the ball slides past the far post. An almost identical chance was passed up too as he opt to shoot instead of laying the ball across for Chai and Lewis was guilty of the same play later. Lewis did made up for that when Seng got down the right and sidefoot the ball first time across into the area for Lewis to score the equaliser. Game ended on a sour note with 2 opponents going crazy on our players but our best fighter is planting the Singapore flag in the AV land so we carried on our game and walked off after the final whistle in peace. Daniel got a kick to his calf in the first incident with the no.7 and we certainly wish he will recover soon for our first game.

Our entrance to the league is a surprise as we were entered into Div 2 so we might expect something different. We won't have such a easy time anymore but that is how it should be. We joined the league to test ourselves and while this might be a higher level to aim at but we should continue to pursue what we want because we will eventually come to this stage even if we played at the lower divisions. It will be a good platform to put where we are and please look after yourselves and do your own physical training and brush up, and whatever you think you need and you can do individually. I am looking forward to seeing you guys on the pitch this sunday fresh and eager, ready to go!

#17