JFC did the double over City
Tampines, Singapore
City welcomes JFC with revenge on their minds. City would want to forget the 3-0 loss they suffered in the reverse fixture. City also had 20 players coming to the match compared to the 13 they had against West Eminence. City also welcomes 4 new trialist at the club.
The start of the match was halted for a few minutes after referee's unwilling to officiate the match with the two teams clash of kits. City found an alternative after the previous team playing before was willing to borrow 14 white jersey to City.
City started the match playing a 4-5-1 formation with Safiuddin in goal.
A fit again Xavier was at right back, Afizan back from nation call up partners flawless Syafiq while Syaikhan retains his left back position.
The five across midfield sees Faizal starting at right wing, Sufiyan and Charlie was joined by trialist Adam in the centre, while Nurhadi takes the left wing. Alang was upfront alone after Aizam and Airul pulls out due to work and injury issues.
JFC kicked off the match and within
37 sec of the match, a shot was spilled by Safiuddin with City back off switched off only for JFC's player to score with a simple tap in.
1-0 after the quick goal. City players looked stun conceding that early goal. City 5 midfield could not cope with the pace of JFC's midfield and countless times they give possession to their opponents.
In the 9th min, Charlie steps up his game, dribbling pass a few of JFC players before releasing Alang with a defence splitting pass but Alang shot was saved by JFC custodian. Possession remains equal between the two teams as chances after chances was not converted.
In the 21st min, Japanese trialist Tommoki came on for Hadi who seems to pull a hamstring. With that substitution, City revert to 4-4-2 with Toomoki partnering Alang which proves to be a setback as City was 2 goal down in the 37 min after a great play by JFC's number 16 down the left flank found the unmarked forward who toe pokes the winger's cross to the roof of the net to put JFC 2-0 up at halftime.
Second half saw string of changes.
Rohaizad replace Xavier, Jelson replace Syaikhan, Trialist Affandy came on for Adam, another debutant Sham replace Toomoki as City plays their normal 4-3-1-2 formation.
6 minutes after the restart Affandy was the playmaker as his pass to Alang was converted by the latter.
City cuts the deficit. City brought off Sufiyan and replace him with Yusuf.
In the 48th min, Eizzul replace the disappointing Jelson and shifted Yusuf to left back. City created a lot of chances with the excellent display from Affandy and in the 57th min, City equalised, Affandy started off again the setplay, created a wonderful through ball for Alang who then found Charlie with a low cross with the captain sliding in to make it 2-2. Eizzul had 2 one v one chances but failed to seal the victory for City by a brilliant saves by JFC's custodian. That proves costly to City as they succumbed to JFC's attacks.
In the 62 min, JFC scored after Safiuddin came for a loose cross, punched it to the feet of JFC player who drives into the bottom of the net. 3-2. City then began to throw the final dice, bringing on Zaini and Herman in the final third of the match showing their attacking ambitions trying to break the opponents stubborn defence but JFC put the game beyond doubt in the 76th minute when a good through ball found JFC's number 16 who slotted past onrushing Safiuddin to make the scoreline 4-2 at the final whistle.
City coach declined to comment on the match when being interviewed. With TGA not playing today, and Teban winning, both teams have the chance to be 3 and a point clear of City respectively if they win their 2 games in hand which will knock City off the summit and into the playoff spot.
