St Wilfred, Singapore
Chestercity would want to forget about the decision shocker last week as they focus and welcome JFC at Bemdemeer Secondary. City are without Mizan, Jeremiah and was not help with the last minute withdrawal of Syaikhan who met with an accident while on the way to the match and captain Indra who was down with illness.
Coach Ridwan who welcomes a newborn baby was not available and Sufiyan was named as caretaker and captain for the match. City had only 1 subtitute on the bench but was not wary of it. Deploying last week formation of 4-5-1 and with no goalkeeper to spare, central back Hafiz took centre stage by slipping on the gloves, Xavier restored at right back position. Sufiyan partners the ever present Fred at central back while Jelson outstanding in his last game took left back position. The 5 across midfield saw maestro Anon cementing his right wing position with 3 in the middle of Ibrahim, Hakim and debutan Rahmat 'Bob' Ashura. Naufal was forced to go left in this match. Upfront Gabir was lone striker.
The scorching heat was a factor for both teams as they tried to adapt to their style of play. City looks lively and picked up where they left off from that "scrapped" 4-1 win over Hilderinc FC, within 7 mins they were a goal up.
Referee awarded City a penalty when JFC defender handled the ball in the penalty box. Upsteps Gabir, who slotted it pass the keeper with ease. City overjoyed.
JFC did not back off, they started to attack but City defence was excellent at the back.
In the 35th min, referee awarded another penalty, this time it's JFC's.
Xavier was deem to impede JFC midfielder's dash in the penalty box but it was a rather soft touch. Referee straight away point to the penalty spot which JFC scored soon after.
The halftime scored tied at 1-1.
Second half saw Hairull coming on for Xavier.
City didn't stop there. They tried to pry open JFC's defence and they were back infront after and excellent team display. City started with captain Yan who lofts a wonderful measured chip towards opponents goal which went over JFC's last man with Gabir delicately controls and smashed it home to make the scoreline 2-1. Yan was having the game of his life.
City's joy was short-lived. 2 mins later, it was 2-2. City midfield was caught napping and Malvin scored with a long range effort to make it all square.
Then for 2 weeks in a row, referee judgment was a question mark yet again. JFC striker goes one v one with Fred and seems to tuck back the last man but Fred does well do stay on his feet but the forward manages to squeeze in for JFC's third goal and referee fails to award a foul.
City pressed on but failed to find the net and JFC put the match beyond doubt a minute into stoppage time when Jelson misclearance bounce to the feet of JFC's striker who place a shot to Hafiz's left to make the final score 4-2.
Caretaker coach Sufiyan said after the match,"We've played well in the first half and 10mins of the second half. We played neat passes and link up play but after soon after we lost focus and that is very crucial. Gabir has been outstanding as a lone striker upfront but I believe if the team plays well, we will be up for the next game."
Fred also told CityNews about the match incident, "I can't say who is right and wrong. As the ball was headed upfront by him and he has his body in front of the ball. So as I was going in for the ball. He shield me off. Maybe in the eyes of the ref its body contact. Why I didn't drop down and called for the foul? I can't. Being the last man there is no one else. If I don't tussle and add pressure on him, he will thru on goal at my keeper."
Gabir also added,"We've played very well today after last week game. The players really want to win today and that shows when we were leading twice. In the end 2 goals were never enough on a day like this. I just hope the guys will forget about the game and turn their attentions to the next game."
