Game 10 Match Report 18/07/10

Match 10 at Anderson Secondary against Galatico Empire proved to be a good run out as we emerged 5-0 victors. First game against them was postponed while we were leading 1-0 and while the conditions proved to be slightly wet and drizzling there was no chance of that happening again this time.

The team welcomed Saran back from his lay-off and it proved to be a crucial presence as Asen was unavailable for the game. He started in goal with Simon, Jin, Daniel, Yeechun forming up the backline. A new formation introduced by Chai worked like a treat for this game with two defensive midfielders in the form of Zhenquan and Adrian while the team was flanked by Kejang on the left and XiangSheng on the right. Chai was doubling his role as a support striker to Zonghui and also as an extra man back into centre mid. Sadly left on the bench was Zhenqing, Xianxi, Jumain, Nigel, ShiangJing and Rixian.

The team took time to adjust to the new formation but were soon on their way as Kejang got the ball as he drifted into the centre and flick the ball over the defence and loft it pass the onrushing goalkeeper for the opening goal, but not before taking a boot on the way. Opponents tried in vain to get back into the game but were often met with the defensive wall of the back 4 and also the commited midfielders who dropped back. Even when they managed to get past and put a shot in, it will seem soft enough for big bad Saran to pick it up and return it back deep into their half with those monsterous drop kicks. And on one occasion it provided an assist for Sheng as it was allowed to bounce and he nipped in front of the keeper to head home for the 2-0. Persistent play from the right by his substitute Zhenqing saw the ball delivered into the area as the defender handled the cross under pressure from Chai but play goes on as the loose ball breaks to Zonghui who tap it into the bottom corner. Xianxi was finding a new lease of life back in the forward line as he was hardworking and determined to make his mark in the game. He chased down Mr Loser Last Man and forced an own goal out of him to put us 4 up. Soon it was half time.

2nd half started with a slower pace and as the team tries to put some passing together with Jumain controlling proceedings. Opponents tried to attack more but still were always coming off worse each time and when they seem to finally put in a shot that seem destined for goal among the sea of players, Saran's strong hand caught the shot and did not even palm it over for a corner, such was the confidence of the keeper and also implanted into the backline. Kejang sadly went off injured with a sprain early on. Our counter attacks are proving to be threatening and one such occasion Chai latched on to a flick on from Xianxi and lob over the keeper into the far post for 5. More chances were wasted, notably from Rixian who did a Pedro and failed to spot his team mates and screwed up the shot. Nigel was proving lively on the right and also in his challenges as he almost did a Nigel de Jong. ShiangJing too proved to be solid in his defence with some sort of Nikola Zigic vs Philippe Lahm type of marking. The rest of the team did well too and seem commited for the cause though there is no doubt we can still be so much better. Go Whiners! Get the Div 2 title!