It's 3rd placing against 4th in the league as Central FC were the visitors today against Chestercity FC who by kickoff had only 11 players available. Missing from it were few key players who have been out due to commitments. Central back Frederick Loy sits this one out as he welcomed a new member of his family.
Ridwan had no option but to deploy 4-4-2 formation, the same tactics only this time without Duncan missing from the line up.
Starting in goal was inexperience Nol, Xavier at right back, City welcome their new left back in Abdul Aziz, a move which sees Eddy partners Aleef in the centre for the first time. In midfield, a 70% fit Baeesa reinstated on the right with Ryan and captain Indra in midfield. And with 2 excellent strikers in Gabir and Airul, Ridwan drops from his favourite position to occupy the left wing position.
Central FC on the other hand had couple of subtitutes compared to City's none at kickoff.
City fresh from their week off from league action would definitely want to get the 3 points they came for.
There was some scrappy passes in the first half and when the rain started to pour onto Pierce Secondary pitch, passes was way off their mark. City and Central shared equal possession and efforts on goal, with Central FC's no 10 trying long range shots in an attempt to beat Nol.
City got a chance to put when Baeesa caught in two minds when he laid a rather late pass to an unmarked Airul much to the displeasure of City's forward.
With teams deadlock after quarter of an hour, it was a great long ball from City's half which resulted in referee's first decisive call. Central FC's Brazilian right back import together with their young centre back misjudged the bounce which was pounced by Ridwan who chested into the penalty box only to be barged illegally from both sides. Referee points to the spot.
City top goalscorer Gabir steps up but Central FC's goalkeeper was equal to it as he parried away Gabir's penalty.
It remained stalemate. Central FC foresees their chances, they pushed forward. And when they did that, Nol was stupendous stopping every shot that was aimed at him. As Central progresses, they left acres of space at the back, that led to Airul sending a defence splitting pass to Gabir who finishes to make it 1-0 in the 33rd minute. Every single City player ran to congratulate Airul.
That was the last piece of action as the teams go into the interval with City 1 up.
Second half,
Ridwan made 1 substitution bringing on Rizzy for Baeesa. City pick up where they left off and with Central forcing a couple of decent saves from Nol, It was City who scored with a help of goalkeeper blunder. Xavier picking up a loose ball sends a long pass which was supposed to be a comfortable catch but Central FC's custodian was pressurized by the onrushing Ridwan, spills his catch and Ridwan with the simplest goal of his career passing it into the empty net to the jubilation of City camp. 2-0.
Straight from the kickoff, Central FC pulled one back. Their number 11 scored from the halfway line with Nol caught off guard.
2-1. City was boosted when Bob showed up.
Ridwan decided to bring himself off and put in the fresh legs of Bob. It was a good change as Airul yet again coming deep to receive the ball sends a "no-look" pass to Bob who raced down the right flank cuts back a pass to Gabir who scores deceiving the 2 defenders. 3-1.
City thought they had the game won but Central did not give up. Instead their long range effort was their weapon which led them cutting the deficit to 1. Nol parried a shot from outside the penalty box but Central players was first to pounce on the rebound.
They smell a draw and it came 5 minutes from time from a set piece. Xavier gave way a freekick right at the edge of a penalty box.
The shot from an acute angle flew past Nol.
Referee bring the match to an end with the scoreline deadlock at 3-3.
Ridwan commented, " The lads showed character. They were outstanding in the first half. Nol was keeping them at bay for most of the time but what he needs to do is to remember that games are won at full time and if one can't do their part, we will crumble. As a keeper he should have known better. We threw away the lead and what's important is we have dropped 2 points. We need to get our winning streak to stand a chance on the title. We need to held our heads up. Against Woodlanderz next week, we've played with them before, so we know their style of play. They might be a free scoring team and might be undefeated but we will give them a good battle cause the team we had today was narrowed to bits and pieces. We will get guns blazing for the game against Woodlanderz."
