Woodlands, Singapore
It was a scorching heat at the northern venue where we saw Chestercity takes on FC 92 in ESPZEN Division 7 league match. Both teams face each other for the first time and the 11 am kickoff was not help by a few players pulling out due to injuries. Xavier and Iain are the few household name to be missing in the line up. With first choice goalkeeper Safiuddin quitting 24hours before the match, the coach decided to put old guard Syaikhan in between the sticks in the 4-4-2 formation. Zaini found himself strangely at the right back position while Indra and the ever-ready Frederick at centre defence and Jelson returns to his normal left back position. Right mid was Sarhan, Hakim returns to partner Ibrahim in central for his first start and Naufal took the left midfield. City's attack was lead by Egyptian Gabir and debutant Jeremiah.
First 10min of the match was at a slow tempo with both teams crumble under the weather. Plays some good passes but could not find the finishing product. City had a couple of chances, one which fell to Gabir but the latter shoots to the side netting.
City found them a goal down in the 27th min when a short throw in followed by a cross found FC 92's Ng who slots it past the onrushing Syaikhan to make the score 1-0 to the visitors.
Hakim had a long range effort parried excellently by the goalkeeper and Gabir desperately trying to break his duck shoots straight to the goalkeeper despite being one on one.
Naufal proves to be a headache for FC 92's right back and Indra and Frederick contains each of the opponents attack.
Soon after, City thought they equalised, Miah was out thru but managed to scuff the shot wide with the goalkeeper stranded. City players held their hands on the head. They knew it was a golden opportunity. Halftime scoreline shows in favour of FC 92.
The half team-talk saw City's coach making a couple of changes with Anon, an another debutant Luke coming on but the start of second half was a miscommunication as City had only 10 players on the field and was down to 9 men when Fred took a knock on his knee. FC 92 then add another goal during the advantage in the 57th minute through Aidil and it looks that victory was out of City's reach. So A quick check on the team numbers and Ibrahim was ask to take the pitch. With that, City was lively and the injured Fred soldiered on not wanting to be substituted.
So they've decided to make one final drastic change. Coach Ridwan was brought on to spur the team on. City plays excellent passing and create few chances but was not able to find the target.
It finally came fruitful when Naufal orchestrated the flow of attack lay it to Hakim who unleashed an unstoppable shot to the roof of the net to pull a goal back for City.
FC 92 felt the pressure. Giving the ball away very cheaply and easily. City pushed men forward, playing an attacking 3-4-3 formation with the strikeforce lead by coach, Gabir and Miltinho. Still the stubborn FC 92's defence held on.
Final kick of the game, a corner. Naufal sends a wicked in swinging corner which scrapped past the head of FC92's defender by coach Ridwan can only managed to tap the tame shot to the hands of the keeper.
Final whistle blown with City tasting yet another defeat of the season.
Coach Ridwan commented,"It was a great effort from the players. They never stop running from the first whistle and a great spirit but we were unlucky on not to stage a comeback. The lads were awesome in pushing forward and never stop pressurizing the opponents today. We deserved the point in the way we played today but Lady Luck was not on our side. I hope it gets better the next game. Fred injury was a concern at first, I just hope he will be fit in the coming fixture.
