Bedok Singapore,
Its almost a full City squad as they entered their second league game fresh from the 4-0 drubbing of Laksmana Wira. Today, the take on Bon Voyage FC who was 30 mins late. City camp was eagerly waiting and was hoping it was not a walkover. As players warm up, Bon Voyage players were slowly strolling making their way to the venue. Referee told that they have only 7 players, 1 short of the playable 8. City decided to give them time and when its full 11, referee blew the whistle.
With familiar faces like Airul, Naufal, Hairull and also star player Duncan returning, City started the match in a new attacking formation of 4-3-3. Ridwan decided to go on all fronts. Amin retains his position in goal, the back four consist of right back Hairull, Fred, Aleef and Eddy. 3 in midfield was occupied by Baeesa, Duncan and captain Ryan, upfront Gabir partners Airul and in form Ridwan who bags 6 of his last 4 appearances. On the bench, Danial, Naufal was ready to be called upon.
City kickoff and never could ask for a better start when Duncan scored within the 2nd min of play. Slipping through of Gabir's pass, Duncan puts a low drive to the corner of the net. 1-0 City leads.
Bon Voyage was mostly on the backfoot. They succumbed to City attacking formation. Gabir had a few one v one but missed a couple of times in front of goal. Gabir might have put his shooting boots at home. Baeesa whi impresses last week came closed when Gabir's shot which crashed onto the crossbar and with an open goal, Baessa heads it over the open goal. Gabir too had one glorious opportunity. Picking up a pass from the orchestrator Duncan, he amazingly puts in wide from 2 yards out. Gabir even had his hands to his head.
City got chances to put them 3-4 goals ahead. 20 mins into play, Baeesa broke his duck for the club. He was at the correct place and correct time when he taps in off Eddy low cross.
2 mins later, Airul puts City 3-0 ahead. Latching on to Duncan's through ball, City's all time top goalscorer slotted it past the diving goalkeeper.
In the 34th minute, it was 4. Baeesa getting his seccond of the match shooting home from close range.
Then City backline got a surprise when Bon Voyage scored an astonishing long range strike to the roof of the net giving Amin no chance.
City were not done yet. It was 5 in the 42th min when Gabir finally scores from inside the 6 yard line. Referee then brings the half to a close with City 5-1 up.
Halftime changes, City brought on Danial for Baeesa giving the 2 goal scorer a breather.
5 mins after the restart, Gabir was on the scoresheet scoring yet again with Danial assisting.
in the 59th min, Bon Voyage was awarded a rather soft penalty when Eddy was judged to impede the winger.
Up steps their goalkeeper who easily convert the penalty.
Then Amin had a hand on Gabir's hattrick when his long ball was finished off by the Egyptian hitman. Bon Voyage didnt know what hit them after that 7-1n scoreline.
Danial added his second assist of the match when he played Airul free for him to score his second goal of the match celebrating his goal in style. Then as they thought Gabir was done, they were wrong when the Egyptian scored his 4th goal of the match to summarize his day where he was replaced by returning Baeesa to the elated ovation by City players.
2 mins later, Ridwan fianlly gotten himself on the scoresheet. It was Duncan yet again with an outstanding display of orchestrating play when he ran down the whole Bon Voyage defence and unselfishly plays it to Ridwan who finishes with a simple tap in for his 7th goal of the season and City's 10th goal.
Airul also had other ideas, with 2 to his name, he finally completed his hattrick when Duncan with a man of the match performance, added a 5th in assist when he played Airul who falls but still manages to tap in the goal.
Bon Voyage was relieved to hear the final whistle but can't contain their disappointment of the 11-2 drubbing at the hands of City.
Ridwan commented after the game, "It was an outstanding display of attacking football today. The lads were superb. Duncan stole the show today. He single handedly change the course of the game. Gabir with 4 goals and Airul with a hattrick. 7 goals between them, only a crazy manager will not play them in the starting line up. Fred commanded the backline well and with we should have another clean sheet today. If only we were focused on it but the lads have grown better in recent games and we are here to win it. Its good to see Baeesa getting goals to his name. That would certainly boost his confidence in the coming games. Overall performance, it was 10 out of 10."
