It's second vs bottom of Division 7 as FCS Revolution welcomes Chestercity FC in a match where City has taken only 2 points of their 5 games played compared to their opponents today who have 10. City on the other hand started the match full of harmony after manager Ridwan releases 3 City players from the team last week. In City latest squad a double coop was made by the earlier in the week as City welcome new fresh faces in defender, Afian Hanafi and young forward Afiq Khalis.
City this time round played their last season's familiar and favourite formation 4-5-1. Starting in goal and captain for the match was Ronnie with Amin as his backup, the back four was made up by Xavier, debutant Afian, Aleef and Fred. In midfield, City deployed 3 holding midfielders in Ryan, Indra and Kim while lone striker Bob was supported by the 2 wingers in Naufal and returning Anon. On the bench, City have outfield players like, Irwan Azly, Afiq Khalis and the manager himself as subtitutes.
Both teams started the match brightly as Revo looking has the upper hand bringing out a couple of saves from Ronnie. City on the other hand failed to captilize on 2 glorious chances, Bob was the culprit on the mentioned occasion, firstly deciding to nutmeg the defender in spite of his predatory instinct while the other laying off for Anon when he has a clear sight of goal.
Indra and Kim totally outplayed Revo's central midfielders as they won possessions and limited Revo's attacking play to just sniffles of the ball.
Ryan had a freekick just over the bar with the goalkeeper beaten and City's defender at the back was well marshaled by Aleef who caught the opponents with offsides after offsides.
Halftime however stayed at 0-0 with both team showing potentials.
Halftime team talk saw Ridwan encouraging the players and making only 1 sub replacing Anon with Irwan, the change formation of 4-4-2 was welcomed by Revo as they prowled into attack. Losing a midfielder in the centre with Ryan playing "Beckham's" role on the right, Indra was exceptionally doing well going all fronts and tag-teaming with Kim stopping Revo's attack and winning ball possession to the liking of City's manager.
18 year old Afiq Khalis was then introduced for his debut replacing Xavier in a reshuffled move seeing Bob dropping to the right wing, Ryan taking Indra's position with the latter partnering Aleef in the heart of defence pushing Afian to right back. Afiq partners Irwan upfront. Bob has a couple of shot going wide and another audacious lob going inches wide with Revo's goalkeeper totally stranded.
Afiq was chasing down every single ball and pressuring Revo since he came on. Indra and Aleef continued catching the opponents with strings of offsides but as soon as the clock ticks on, manager Ridwan came on together Anon replacing Ryan and Bob.
It's another swapping of position as Naufal returns to his favourite as centre midfielder, Anon played on the left, Irwan drops to right wing with Ridwan partnering Afiq upfront. Soon after the changes, Revo scored. City clearance fell short to the opponents who volleyed it first time past the despairing Ronnie. City looks set for another defeat. Amin was then brought on. City pressed forward. Ridwan short cameo was the different as he dribbles past 2 players, laid it off to Naufal who saw his weak shot nearly parried into the goal by Revo's custodian.
Naufal yet again was dangerous in his dead ball as he saw his inswing corner hit the crossbar and bounces out. Then it was Ridwan yet again casing problems to Revo's defence. Receiving a pass from the right wing, Revo puts 3 blokes to stop Ridwan forcing the referee to award City a freekick right at the edge of the penalty box.
Up steps Naufal who springs a surprise by crossing it to the unmarked Afiq who powers in a header to score his debut goal. 1-1. City tried to go for the win. Going gung-ho attack bringing on back Ryan in for Afian in a 3-5-2 formation was short lived as referee blew for final whistle.
Ridwan commented after the game, "Outstanding displays from all the players not to mention Kim and Indra, both were excellent in the first half. Others shows what it takes to stand up and be counted. Afian had a great debut and with Afiq scoring, it's a bonus. Everyone held their heads up high after their goal and well they deserve the point seeing the way they play. I'm happy that we have drawn instead of losing cause that shows we want to be up there with the best and although the win is late in coming, I can sense it that it will in the next match."
