Serangoon North, Singapore
Chestercity FC faces their old arch rivals JFC in the humid weather at Serangoon Garden Secondary. City started the match top of the table 3 point ahead of their opponents but they know that a lost today would see the leaders knocked off the summit on goal difference. With JFC having 3 games in hand, City knew they had to win to put pressure on JFC to win their remaining games as the season coming to a close.
City started the match with almost a full squad turning up. The highlight of the show was City welcoming back and recapturing Izzat Hashim on a free transfer. Izzat who left the club couple of months ago delighted the City camp and coach handed him the number 18 jersey ahead of the clash.
The match also marks coach Ridwan 1 year of managing City.
City started the match deploying the same 4-5-1 formation. Amin started again in goal in exclusion of returning Safiuddin, Xavier gets his second start at right back, Fred partners debutant Aleef in central defence while Jelson was pushed back to his original left back position. Mizan restored on the right of midfield, Ryan, Indra and Bob in centre midfield while Anon starts on the left leaving Player of the month for May, Gabir alone upfront. City has a talented bench to call upon in Safiuddin, Hafiz, Miah, Hakim, Brahim, Izzat, Tevez. Faizal, Charlie was also named on the subs bench.
City started strongly, giving their opponents little time to settle down with sprays of passes. When JFC settled, they struck the post twice all credited to their long throw set piece. One which caught Amin and City off guard. City tries to penetrate their opponents but they remain rock solid at the back. A freekick was awarded on the right hand side, Indra lofts it forward, the ball breaks loose from a clearance and Ryan was first to drive a low unstoppable shot with the goalie rooted to the spot.
1-0 City in the 13th min.
JFC did not backed down. Playing at a higher level. They pressurize City with immediate respond. Xavier gave away a cheap pass to the opponents and that is where it all started, playing the ball to the left flank, JFC new signing Desmond bamboozles Fred and left City defence for dead and Indra brought down the flamboyant winger in the penalty box. Referee Taufiq points to the spot. City players look dejected. Up steps Desmond who puts it to right hand post giving Amin no chance.
1-1. With that, city coach brought off Indra and replace him with Hakim.
City controlled the game pretty well afterwards but there weren't any end product from each attack. Halftime scores tied at 1-1.
At halftime, City makes wholesale of changes. Bringing on Tevez, Izzat, Hafiz, Brahim, Miah for the departing Gabir, Mizan, Ryan, Xavier and Bob.
City looks to start the second as they did on the first with a couple of fresh legs but JFC moved a gear up and City was at the backfoot. They find themselves down to an early second half goal. Cutting onto the left, the left winger side stepping Hafiz drives a low cross, first shot was well saved by Amin but he was hapless in the second as Desmond scores his second goal of the match. City attacks once again, with long ball pump towards their half, Tevez went for a 50-50 challenge on keeper ending clattering him, JFC number 6 gave Tevez a mouthful and that started a provocation where referee did well to calm the both teams down.
Then City was 3-1 down. A great run down the flank by their left winger who skips past Hafiz as he wasn't there, evades the challenge of Indra and unleashed a shot past Safiuddin.
Then it was game over. JFC scored a 4th after a miscommunication between Aleef and Safiuddin puts the striker through who slots it past Safiuddin.
Tevez had a freekick tip over by the outstretched hand of the goalkeeper and City never fought back.
Throwing everything they could by bringing Indra, Gabir and Ryan back on, City did not look the team they were in the first half. In the end they lose to a much superior team of JFC.
Final score: JFC 4-1 City
Coach Ridwan commented,"It's a good and bad day for City as we celebrated the one year anniversary of City and the year I'm in charge. Had some mixed feelings today. I thought when Ryan's goal went in, we were there but JFC looks more promising in the second half and we ran out of ideas. Their player Desmond is quite a quality as we played before with him during his time at Poseur United. Kudos to JFC for signing a player of his quality.
About the Tevez's incident, he has every right to go for that ball, after all it's 50-50 challenge and what was said to him afterwards don't deserved to be on the pitch. Racist remarks don't belong in this sport. The number 6, Phil certainly provoke all the City player especially the Malay players by calling Tevez "dirty Malay". He has the cheek to repeat it to Faizal when being asked. It's certainly a racist slur and I'm sad that this has happen to one of my players. I hope the league organizers will take action against this player."
